Got a Roundhouse Katie for Christmas and while getting ready to fire it up thought that I'd better read through the instructions just in case I'd forgot something over time. I was surprised to see that 20W50 oil was recommended for external linkage and bearing lubrication now - don't seem to remember that in the past with my other engines. At any rate it seems a little too high viscosity but I'm sure they're smarter than me about such things - what are your thoughts?
Warning - I'm not a fan of hi-viscosity modern oils for steam engines...
That said...
Oil is tricky....Don't all modern engine oil have chemical additives,
especially multi-viscosity and synthetic oils? I use a very pure light
oil for cleaning and lubing. It will not leave anything to gum up the works
when it evaporates. Shell Diala oil is what I use for my engines, and also in
my agate-cutting diamond saw. I like it very much. That said, do as the
Roundhouse suggests - they are probably right.
I testify for Diala...
Wayne
There is nothing wrong with a good high grade synthetic motor oil for all parts except the internals of the steam cylinder and chest which of course uses steam cylinder oil.
I use Mobil One 0W-20 and 0W-16 on most of my smaller engines. 20W-50 should work as well but offer just a tad more resistance on the moving parts. I like the lighter weights because it helps me run a model engine as slowly as possible and with as little pressure as possible without stalling.
This oil in spite of any additives does not gum up. I can leave an engine on the shelf for 3-4 years after lubing with Mobil 1 and it is still ready to run and is not gummed up. I learned about it from my friend and master model engine builder John V. McDivitt. It is all he used in his model engines from the time it became available. John began using Mobil 1 in all his engines from it's introduction in 1974. He continued using it even after 1998 when they changed (cheapened) their formulation methods and used it right up until he passed on in 2008.
Here is a brief discussion from wiki:
Mobil 1 is a brand of synthetic motor oil and other automotive lubrication products. Originally developed by the Mobil oil company, and is now globally marketed and sold by ExxonMobil.
Mobil 1 engine oil was introduced in 1974. The brand range now includes a variety of engine oils, oil filters, chassis grease, transmission fluids, and gear lubricants.
In 1998, Mobil sued Castrol over the discovery that Castrol was processing conventional oil and calling it synthetic. At the time, Mobil 1 was still created using a true synthetic basestock, which is more expensive. Mobil lost the lawsuit, and, as a result, the "new" definition of 'synthetic oil' became much looser. In order to stay competitive, Mobil needed to downgrade their process to the more affordable process. The result is a hydrocracked, hydroisomerized conventional oil. Lubes N' Greases magazine has reported shortcomings in the ability to pass the tests that the original Mobil 1 formula was able to pass.
Interesting storyline on Mobil 1 synthetic oil.
While it seems, through anecdotal evidence, that
the 'downgraded' Mobil oil after the lawsuit worked
as well, is there now a market for the original
Mobil one synthetic oil? That sounds like the best,
no gumming up and all. Then again, we are not
working on spaceships or F1 racers.
Re the Diala oil I like. It leaves absolutely
nothing behind. However, It is not suitable for
long-term, difficult to get to, lubing jobs like
internal gearing. For those use...your favorite.
Diala nut,
Wayne
That is a nice Christmas present to get Larry!!, i think the Katie is my favourite of Roundhouses's locos, a close second would be the Lady Anne.
That is a nice Christmas present to get Larry!!, i think the Katie is my favourite of Roundhouses's locos, a close second would be the Lady Anne.
I agree the Katie is my favorite also ( I now have two) and the Lady Anne isn't far behind (my first engine was a Silver Lady). I was disappointed though that I couldn't get some additional lining on the engine. It was set up to be done by Geoff Munday at Lightlines but, sad to say, it turns out he has retired due to having a brain tumor removed that was caused by lung cancer. What a shame - he was easy to work with and did great work.
I have done some more due dilligence.
It seems the closest thing to the original Mobil 1 is likely the Amsoil Signature series.
Mobil 1 Extended Performance series approaches it but the Amsoil Signature Series gets better ratings/results in multiple tests.
I will migrate towards Amsoil going forward.
Gil