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Suziehomemaker
Warming Up
USA
92 Posts |
 Posted - 08/28/2005 : 1:25:46 PM
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I have a beautiful Ashford spinning wheel on long-term loan to me and I was wondering which kind of oil should I buy for all of the turning parts and if anyone could recommend places to get it?
I was told standard "3 in 1 oil" would be fine "similiar to what the air nail guns use" but I'm scared I'll buy the wrong kind. Is this something that a regular Michael's or JoAnn's would have or should I go to a specialy shop?
Thanks for any suggestions! |
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KathyR
Permanent Resident
New Zealand
2969 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2005 : 3:15:49 PM
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3 in 1 is probably too light. I can never remember what grade it is but I think it is a heavy motor oil you should use. Try doing a search here - there was a lot of discussion on here some time ago about this topic.
Happy spinning!
KathyR
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. |
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BessH
Permanent Resident
3095 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2005 : 4:18:29 PM
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I use sewing machine oil on mine - and have to oil frequently. I have an Ashford Elizabeth.
Bess
http://likethequeen.blogspot.com |
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Shelia
Permanent Resident
USA
2314 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2005 : 6:17:00 PM
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If you want to buy oil in bulk and refill your oil bottle (which are pretty small as a rule), the weight often recommended is 30-weight motor oil. Generally the faster your ratios, the less a lightweight oil is recommended.
Shelia |
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celia
Permanent Resident
Australia
2454 Posts |
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Lissa
Permanent Resident
USA
4942 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2005 : 6:48:40 PM
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I've read a lot of posts on various spinning lists that sewing machine oil is too thin, which is why you're having to oil so often, Bess. And I hate the smell of motor oil. Ashford makes oil for its wheels which you can order online, if you're concerned about substituting oil.
Lissa
"Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is a little like expecting the bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian." --Dennis Wholey
Oh, and I now have a blog:http://knittnlissa.typepad.com/knittnlissa/ |
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BessH
Permanent Resident
3095 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2005 : 02:43:09 AM
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Probably true about the sewing machine oil, but I'd rather oil frequently than risk gunking it up by putting something too heavy on my wheel. And I have a big bottle of sewing machine oil. Besides, BD is forever laughing at me and saying I should use graphite.
Since I have only the odd hour to spin at a time - haven't spun at all in ages due to ankle problems - I don't mind making it part of my start up routine.
Bess
http://likethequeen.blogspot.com |
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Mike
Seriously Hooked
649 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2005 : 05:42:36 AM
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The problem with motor oil and many other types are that they will eventually harm wood and leather. My Country Craftsman is only wood and leather so I use an oil that is not harmful to either. It is also well know to not gunk up. It is a bit on the obscure side known mostly to muzzle loaders and other shooters of antique type fire arms. Link http://www.ballistol.com
Mike |
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Suziehomemaker
Warming Up
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2005 : 07:24:20 AM
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Thank you so much. I found the Ashford site and the one that I have is the Traditional, I'm not sure if it's a single drive or double (I can't tell what the difference is). The nearest dealer isn't actually that close to me. I'll try the sewing machine oil for now and try to special order the Ashford oil online.
Thanks again for responding so quickly. I'm sure I'll be asking more questions as I try new fibers to spin! The wheel is on long term loan so besides taking care of it I'm going to learn as much as possible while I have it and make a Christmas list for everything I need after I have to return it(hopefully not until spring). |
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Andy
Seriously Hooked
USA
774 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2005 : 08:16:01 AM
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I use LPS-3, here are some specs:
"Lubricates and protects rubber, plastic, metal parts, window channels, metal slides and chutes in baggage cargo areas. Ideal for door and hatch seals. High-grade, dry film silicone lubricant. Contains no CFC or chlorinated solvents"
Andy-wommon |
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petiteflower
Chatty Knitter
USA
297 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2005 : 5:00:29 PM
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Motor oil is toxic. Not extremely so in the tiny dabs we use on our wheels, but it smells obnoxious and I instinctively don't want it touching my skin. I'm amazed I used it for my Ashford as long as I did. We have some allergies and sensitivities in our household and are pretty fastidious about what we use around the place, yet here I was slathering MOTOR OIL onto my wheel right under my own nose.
I finally wised up and my husband suggested I try this Lube Gel stuff. It works terrific and doesn't harm a thing. I had just the Ashford when I switched over, and it works terrific for that. Then I got a Schacht and I use it for that too. Especially it doesn't make sense to me to put motor oil on those plastic bearings underneath the treadle. The Lube Gel makes way more sense. My next wheel is a reproduction of a Canadian colonial period wheel and the maker advised mineral oil because it isn't hard on the leathers or the wood. Well, this lubricates fine and is non-toxic also, but the Lube Gel is perfectly fine for this wheel too. I am getting a Norm Hall wheel in the near furture and the previous owner tells me that this wheelmaker recommends petroleum jelly (vaseline) as the lubricant for this wheel.
The Lube Gel stuff is : Radio Shack Multi-Purpose Lube Gel
It's $1.97 for 3 ounce tube that lasts forever and ever, amen.
Go to Radio Shack's web-site and search for "household lubricating gel". It's catalog #64-2326
On the tube it says that it is non-toxic, non-corrosive, stays where you put it, does not attract dust or other contaminants,impervious to salt and fresh water, won't wash off, disperse, break down or turn rancid. (Don't get the idea that it's permenently stuck on there though! You just wipe it off with a rag when you want to put on fresh) I always lubricate my wheel whenever I change a bobbin, and I always take a rag and wipe off the old lubricant first. This keeps everything clean of fibers.
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Lissa
Permanent Resident
USA
4942 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2005 : 6:38:22 PM
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That sounds like an interesting product. I've always used the "spinning oil" that I've bought either at Stony Mountain Farm (Hi, Barbara), at Springwater, or at the Mannings, where I bought Jezebel.
Lissa
"Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is a little like expecting the bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian." --Dennis Wholey
Oh, and I now have a blog:http://knittnlissa.typepad.com/knittnlissa/ |
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RiverRock
Chatty Knitter
USA
283 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2005 : 6:13:11 PM
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| I use Mineral oil it was recommended by a wheel maker. My grilfriend uses vaseline on her CC. |
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Lissa
Permanent Resident
USA
4942 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2005 : 6:47:56 PM
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Vaseline is recommended for Louets, per the manufacturer.
Lissa
"Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is a little like expecting the bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian." --Dennis Wholey
Oh, and I now have a blog:http://knittnlissa.typepad.com/knittnlissa/ |
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Wovenflame
Seriously Hooked
Canada
812 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2005 : 2:03:25 PM
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I've switched from sewing machine oil which I found too thin and rather pricey for the small bottles I was going through so quickly. I now use gun oil and it seems to work fine. Does anyone know of any reasons NOT to use gun oil? I wouldn't want to wreck my wheel!
-Marlene-
Come visit me at: http://wovenflame.blogspot.com/
"First is to shift the perception. If you learn to look at something differently, you will change it in an instant. The point of perception from which you view any situation determines your entire reality." - The Group |
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