Steam engine lubrication

steamedlou · Steam engine lubrication

Im in the process of cleaning up a Stuart S50 and building my own boiler. In prep for running I have purchased steam oil for use in the engine, but nowhere can i find suggestions as to what oil should be used in the various external lube points such as slide rails and bearings. HELP. how heavy an oil sould be used. automobile engine oil such as a 30 weight, or something light such as sewing machine oil? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you.

scorpion2nz

on the external points I would use 30/40 car oil

Swift Fox

I use 220 bearing oil for all my engines, i've sure you will be able to get some in the US, some of our members there have bought oil from this outfit:

http://www.steamenginelube.com/engineoil.htm

I'm sure there are other suppliers of quality bearing oil in the states aswell.

classixs

Ordinary car engine oil will take the stress of model engine bearing and connections very well IMO, not much weight or pressure on our little machines compared to real live sized engines.

It might squirt a bit at high speed compared to thicker oils, but the penetration into tight spots should be quicker

The Denying Dutchman

I use marine grade two stroke oil and the only reason I use it is that I have it lying around.

I don't think it matters much which kind of oil you use. In toy steam engines sewing machine oil was often recommended by the manufacturer.

Les

On the moving non-steam parts I use 3-1 oil.

Tony Bird

Hi,

I use steam oil on any bearing that gets warm and on model steam engines it is most of them. It tends to stay where it is put so frequent oiling isn't necessary.

Regards Tony.

IndianaRog

Lou, it was common practice for toy steam makers to include a bottle of steam oil with their engines, noting it should also be used on the non steam/bearing/journal/moving part bits as well. This was just convenient and steam oil certainly works fine in non-steam contact.

For longer term use however, steam oil is more expensive than needed for non-steam purposes. As others have noted, 30 weight automotive oil works fine.

Swift Fox above has listed a website in the US which sells a line of oils called "Green Velvet"...they make a specific steam oil and a specific oil for non-steam pin/bearing/journal (PB&J) use. I bought a quart of each years ago and when applied with a needle oiler, I have made those quarts last and last. I steam often, but I expect the quart of each oil to last me another 10 years...it goes a long, long way if applied in minute amounts. They sell in pint bottles as well, but for not much more you can buy the quart size and have your oil needs taken care of for ages!

46u

I use what ever open bottle I have in the shop.

classixs

WeedenSteam

If you are purchasing automotive oil get a non detergent oil, detergent oils are made to attract dirt etc. and carry it to the filter to be cleaned. Non detergent oils are meant for sump type applications where the dirt falls out of the oil so using it on a surface tends to add a protective layer rather than a dust magnet.

That being said any oil is better than none.