Getting ready to lube my brand new AC-12 from IM, in the manual it stressed the need to lube all the wheel. but which brand would you recommend, and what kind, there are plastic compatible or all purpose, is it really important to use plastic compatible lubrication and how do you identify that in LHS. And then there is Light medium or heavy lube from Labelle, some listed for HO, N, S O scales, please shed some light on this subject matter.
You can use Labelles @ 7.00 for EA 1/2 oz bottle....or you can use Wahls or Andies clipper oil @ 5.00 for 4 oz. bottle. You will read that clipper oil is NOT safe for plastics...BS !! Hair clippers are made of plastic and the clipper oil gets on that plastic with no adverse affects. There are many old hands in model railroading that use clipper oil for a lot of things on their railroads...including lubing locomotives. Why buy expensive 'specialty' products...when there are cheaper and comparable alternatives. JMO .
The AC-12 manual specifically recommends Labelle #102 plastic compatible gear lubricant. Plastic compatible vs Clipper oil? Uh oh.. time to put on Bulletproof Unitrack armor. The big thing to consider is that clipper oil and other lubricants that are not plastic compatible are... well... not plastic compatible. Destructive oils can melt or deform plastic, that's not something I'd want to lubricate the delicate internals of expensive locomotives. There is also major difference between the plastic used for clipper parts and the gears within an N Scale mechanism. First off, the plastic clipper part does not control anything mechanical on the clipper. They're also much thicker than the tiny gears within an N Scale mechanism. Also, a replacement clipper thing would cost about a dollar, maybe two. How much do you think it would be to replace the plastic mechanism parts of an AC-12? Sure, you can get a lot more clipper oil for about the same price as the plastic compatible 102, but the final thing to remember is that a single drop of 102 will lubricate an entire N Scale mechanism. One 1/2 oz bottle of 102 will last a lifetime. I'd rather spend a few dollars more on plastic compatible lubricant than risk deforming a part and having to spend much more to replace that part. I think George will agree with me here, these locos are darned expensive! So I don't take risks when it comes to maintenance. *straps on Unitrack Armor*
I also raced HO slot cars for years and if one used hair clipper oil you would always be in last place. Labelle isn't the best oil on the market but at least you know it's safe and won't harm your expensive locos.
You can buy a lifetime supply of lube for about $8.00-$9.00 if you go down to the auto parts store and buy a quart of SYNTHETIC automatic transmission fluid. Note I said synthetic. I use an old Labelle bottle that I poured out the old lube and replaced it with ATF. It IS plastic compatible and does a great job. I've used it for years with no problems.
Hey Mark... Show me scientific PROOf that clipper oil is harmful to plastics...and I will shut up...LOL. I have been using it regularly on my locos for over 3 years. No harm...no disolving plastic...ANYWHERE. No harm to paint...track...ties...people...pets etc etc. People yelling "The sky is falling!" always amuses me...:tb-tongue: *BTW Mark...for your "Amusement* I submit the following..... .
Thanks Mark, I will get a bottle of Labelle 102 at Train Shop but they are closed at 4:00 every Monday.
Man so many possible replies But then this wouldn't be a family type board Personally I use the Labelle 102 (it feels the best ) .....Mike
Since it's the metal clipper blades that clipper oil is used for, I think generally clipper oil is made with an ester or polyglycol base which work better on metal parts. If so, here's the proof that it can be harmful to plastic. Also, it's not an immediate reaction. It could take several years to weaken the plastic. But generally, the overall lifespan will be reduced. Perhaps the clipper oil you purchased is not of the harmful build up. But I would call the manufacturer to verify this before continuing use. Oh, and about the Unitrack testing.. well of course they're not bulletproof that way! You have lay them out as if connected on an operating layout!
I'd use what the manufacturer recommends. I probably own 3 to 5k in locos. I do enough damage touching them. I'm not going to risk damage trying to save a few bucks on the $40 or so I own in oil. On the other hand... Tranny oil and Clipper oil users have enough experience, they know it works for them, so how bad could it be?
I use the wal-mart brand silicone lube in a spray can, spray some into an eye dropper and drip away. Not sure if it's correct, but I've used it on several things so I sure hope it is!
Q: What lubricant (if any) should I use on plastic bearings and gears? A: Many engineers and maintenance personnel have misconceptions that plastic components either require 'special plastic lubricants' or no lubricants. 'special plastic lubricants'...that would be Labelles BTW :tb-tongue:. To optimize lubrication of plastic components, you should abide by one basic guideline: choose a lubricant that is compatible with the plastic material. Compatibility must be verified under all anticipated adverse conditions of load, speed, and environment. Incompatible plastic-lubricant combinations often cause operating problems such as stress cracking or failure of the plastic component. Ahhhhhhhhh...but not specific to Whals or Andies clipper oil ! Close but no cigar my friend. I need specific proof that either/or of the above (2) products are harmful to the plastics in our locomotives. Maybe you have some insider info on the material composition/ratio of the plastics used in/on locomotives...to compare to the table they listed on that site. ALTHOUGH...I didnt see a lot of oils that had a "D" factor anyways. Plastic with an * that require more testing....no prob...like I said I (as well as others) have been 'testing' clipper oil on locos for many years...with no ill affects ! :tb-wink: Once again....IF you find any proof that Whals or Andies is harmful to our specific plastics...let me know :tb-tongue: .
Ahhhhh...so we do agree these &^$%&^$$*^ things are too expensive ! :tb-tongue: I dont take risks either Mark. The clipper oil recomendation comes from many model railroaders who have been in the hobby longer then you and I have been alive...combined. :tb-biggrin: BTW...Do we buy/not buy locomotives etc. based on others "Recomendations" ? Everything we do in this hobby is more or less based on what others say :tb-wink: * I also replied to your picture comment in my photo album Mark...ROFLMAO!! .
Man, I can't believe you guys are recommending Wahl Hair Clipper Oil. We heard about this about 45 years ago and it was tried and found to be useful for...Wahl Hair Clippers..not model railroads. I guess some "habits" die hard. Mopman hit it right on using Synthetic ATF (Mobil 1, etc) for lubes. I have used LaBelle for years and while it is OK (and damn expensive), it is not as good as ATF. The synthetic stuff is plastic compatable and works as well in a toy train (did he say toy?) as it does in an automatic transmission. While my 50 plus years of experience may fail to impress many of the young fellows, I am just trying to help out. Good luck. Woodie
I guess we'll just have to chalk this one up with the other debates like:Truck mount vs body mount couplers, Sliding rail on the inside vs outside, DCC vs DC, HO vs N, Red vs Blue, Mac vs PC, Death or Taxes, ect. ect. ect. Maybe one day we can get two identical locos and give it a real test. Until then, I'll stick with the lubricant that's labeled "safe" rather than try out a cheaper alternative that has some good but still many bad rumors.
Seriously, I bought a little bottle of Labelle 102 back in the mid-1990s and it's still lasting me today! I think I have just under half left. Not only that, but I use Labelle for non-model railroad uses as well around the house (squeaky door hinges, etc).
