Oiling a DC motor ..which oil to use ?

I use labelle 102 on both. It's a "heavyier" light oil that is imo better suited to oguage than labelles "lighter"oils. 102 stays where it's put and lasts longer.

Conductive oil is extremely thin, a better conductor than a lubricant for o guage. I use it strictly for pickup roller pins and axles that rub groundstraps.

Has anyone tried gun oil let alone Singer Sewing machine Oil. Thanks

Milt Dardis posted:

Has anyone tried gun oil let alone Singer Sewing machine Oil. Thanks

 

Why experiment with your valuable trains? Just use tried & true synthetic lubricants from the two long standing manufacturers/suppliers.

Labelle 102 isn't too heavy for a small smoke unit motor ?   And is the oil conductive ?  I have ultra light and light woodland scenics oil (which I believe are not synthetic and non conductive) and medium excelle(which I believe is sythetic and conductive)...just wondering which is better to use.

Labelle 102 is not labeled a conductive oil.  It really doesn't need to be a conductive oil as your only lubricating the shaft bushing with a drop or two.

I've oiled several smoke unit motors with it, cured any squealing and some of them have been running for years since.

I had one  large Pittman can motor that squeaked occasionally, 102 cured that too.

I like the 102 as it doesn't run off the bushing as quickly. I also use it on axle bushings and drive rods of steamer with good results as well.

I guess I got carried away with what I use. I wasn't sure if you were inquiring about which oil to use as opposed to already having oil in hand.

Conductivity is not necessary in either case. IMO I would use the "heaviest" light oil you have so that it will stay on the bushing longer.

The only conductive oil I'm familiar with is Bachmann's EZ lube.  Its extremely thin, about the viscosity of smoke fluid so I only use it on pickup rollers and wipers where it makes a BIG difference in conductivity. It pretty much eliminates flickering lights in passenger cars.