I find that the material at the end of the plunger seems to react with whatever liquid I am trying to use in the syringe.
Below is a link to some bottles I found on EBay that work well with the various oils I have in my shop.  (Smoke fluid is an oil based product) They take "Luer lock" needles, so the tips can be changed.
There is a link to some extra applicators too. The "needles" were not sharp. Be forewarned, it took a while for them to get to me. But the price was right, and the assortment was generous. I wish they were a bit longer.

Bottles

Needle applicators

FWIW, I got mine from here.    syringes    They seem to work fine.  I use the 3ml barrels for smoke fluid.  1/2 cc(ml) per fill.  Others for grease and oil.

I gave up on using syringes for same reason that the fluid destroyed the seal material.

if you go onto eBay and just type in pipette plastic transfer you will see the sort of thing I use now, a lot easier as well.

I use an eye dropper

Instead of a syringe, why not use one of those "pin-point oiler" bottles.  Empty pin point oiler bottles can be purchased from various sources (maybe Harbor Freight?).

clem k posted:

I use an eye dropper

Same here.

Balshis posted:

clem k posted:

I use an eye dropper

Same here.

While not explicitly stated, I would think the concern is for Diesels and other smoke units where the opening is very small. (I also used a syringe for an M10000 which had very small stacks)

All an eye dropper does in those cases is deposit the fluid on top of the grate and you hope some of it makes it into the hole eventually.  Or you blow at it and some spatters all over the shell, and you hope some makes it into the unit.

I didn't notice the syringe seals deteriorating, but I also didn't store the fluid in the syringe for any amount of time for the most part.   I drew some from the main bottle with the syringe each time and then put any extra back in the bottle.

The ones I used were probably similar to the Amazon link posted above, but I bought them from a local tool vendor at train shows.

-Dave

Hot Water posted:

Instead of a syringe, why not use one of those "pin-point oiler" bottles.  Empty pin point oiler bottles can be purchased from various sources (maybe Harbor Freight?).

So yeah, I have those bottles, but I use them to fill my syringes, cept for the smoke fluid which I draw each time so I get the same amount each fill.  The needle oiler is very precise.  Works well for me and no deterioration of the plunger.  I grease with the big one, red n tacky.

 When I do need to run smoke for guests that are over. I found these work well. 

Balshis posted:

clem k posted:

I use an eye dropper

Same here.

Maybe it's a matter of technique (or not using smoke fluid by the gallon), but I have encountered no issues with steamers or diesels using the eye droppers that come in the 2 oz. Mega-Steam bottles.  Do you shake well before using per the instructions?

What, me worry?

This is what I use:

"Two 2 OZ bottles with stainless steel needle tip dispenser for Cuckoo Clock Oil"

It's from Liberty Products aka directdistribution1, $7.99 (for two), free shipping. The needle is 18-gauge stainless and is 3" long; the bottle is made of soft Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE).

I fill the bottle with the amount of smoke fluid I want to add at any given time. Using this applicator has made all the difference in the world in the output of my smoke units.

Cheers!

Keith

I also use the needle tip bottles similar to what C.W. and Keith L posted above, but they have a metal cap that holds the needle instead of plastic. I got them from Collector's Choice, but I am not sure they are still around? The website still works, but others have posted about having trouble contacting them. If you can contact them they are nice bottles, but a little more costly ($3.00 ea - shipping unknown?) than the ones in C.W.s link which look almost the same. The $1.00 'smoke fluid' bottles they list are not needle tipped as shown above.

I use syringes I find at my local pharmacy. They are for measuring medications and such. Pretty cheap too...

Tom

I use these plastic pipettes that are available online...are inexpensive, come in a bag of 100 per and last a very long time.

They fit the smaller openings for diesel fills...

Plenty of space for filling steamers...

This photo shows the pipette fully inserted...

The pipette was inserted in the previous photo the distance from tip to thumb...

As an FYI...these photo examples were made using LC+ locomotives...

If you would like to try them, BRADFISH1...then send me an email with your mailing address...and I’ll send you the dozen in the photo on my workbench as an early Christmas present...

I have 3 MTH diesels with grills in the exhaust/smoke opening. It's almost impossible to not make a mess with an eye dropper. That's why I use a syringe and needle to fill them. I realize I have better access on the farm for them, so the needle type oilers is a good fit for general use.

I think I got this idea on the Forum a year or so ago ... anyway I got some form Amazon and I think they are great.

It is a 1ml Blunt Syringe, does the job and you know exactly how much you are adding with out counting drops, and the fluid goes right to the wick.

1ml  = 20 drops of smoke fluid, .5 ml = 10 drops, and so forth.

I added the red marks at 0.5, 0.75, and 1ml ( because my eyes are getting old : )

Mine are from Amazon, Duda Energy,

1 ml Industrial Syringes with 18G x 1-1/2" Blunt Tip Fill Needle

Rick, I too like the syringe for diesels and for precision. How long do these last for you? I bought some on Ebay that look similar but the fluid seems to make the seal swell up.

Dave_C posted:

 When I do need to run smoke for guests that are over. I found these work well. 

The Mega-Steam works well.  With the bend, it gives good control.  Have one for each flavor, including the flavor only Pepe lePew would love:  MARX!

Lionel's latest Premium bottles come with a marked dropper.  Personally I prefer either the JT needle bottles or just an eye dropper.

rickb posted:

I think I got this idea on the Forum a year or so ago ... anyway I got some form Amazon and I think they are great.

It is a 1ml Blunt Syringe, does the job and you know exactly how much you are adding with out counting drops, and the fluid goes right to the wick.

1ml  = 20 drops of smoke fluid, .5 ml = 10 drops, and so forth.

I added the red marks at 0.5, 0.75, and 1ml ( because my eyes are getting old : )

Mine are from Amazon, Duda Energy,

 

Price:

$8.57 ($0.86 / syringes)

 

1 ml Industrial Syringes with 18G x 1-1/2" Blunt Tip Fill Needle

I reacted to the same tip here and bought a 10-pack. Each syringe lasts about three or four months before the rubber seal becomes too tight to remain attached to the plunger.

Rick, do you a link to your Amazon deal? I’m going to order some more soon.

Dominic ...  Have not had any seal swell up issues, been using for years  ... I use mega stream mostly ...

I also use Monojet  412 's  ...for Lucas Red  "N"  Tacky # 2 grease,  and White Lithium grease.  Got that and a real education on  from Jim Barrett's  OGR  Dec, 2010  Basic Maintenance piece. If you have not seen his maintenance piece,it is great, and well forth finding.

The JT bottles work - I like the bent angle for Legacy diesels --

I am a pipette man myself 

Duda Energy Syringepk001 Industrial Syringes with 18G x 1-1/2" Blunt Tip Fill Needle and Plastic…

ttp://smile.amazon.com/Duda-Energy-Syringepk001-Industrial-Syringes/dp/B00NDETMR2/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510594908&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=duda+energy1

I here the other users .pipette ... eye droppers .... I don't like counting drops 

Like the choice of actual smoke fluids and even lubricants, the choice of applicators is a personal one, and whatever works for that person is the BEST one.  :-)

 I dont need to use anything but a dropper, so I don't. A pipette is a very accurate measurement, but they are kinda long, so it's easy to have your aim deflected, and one slip, fling, or dry skin, and you loose the fluid onto the train, layout, floor, or shirt.....or all of the above if it's a bad day

A syringe is great for smoke fluid, oiling bearings, etc.

   If you want to stop playing games with disposables, the tool you want is a glass Hamilton for the replaceable seals 

Ah, photos didn't load last visit here. By pipette I thought you meant a small.straw lol. not a disposable dropper.

I use a glass dropper with a stiff bulb, for better control.