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I haven't used my pnumatics for a while and the cylindars are stiff. Has
anyone tried oiling them, and if so what oil did you use?
Thanks for the help,
Derek
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In lugnet.technic, Derek Raycraft writes:
> I haven't used my pnumatics for a while and the cylindars are stiff. Has
> anyone tried oiling them, and if so what oil did you use?
>
> Thanks for the help,
>
> Derek
Well, when I built my Visible V-8, they recommended the use of vegetable oil;
I used canola and didn't have any problems with it. I haven't yet had to
lubricate my pneumatics stuff yet, so I don't know about that particular
application, but I also don't see any reason it would damage the ABS. Canola
is a very mild vegetable oil, and will wash off with water, anyway. If you do
use it, a little bit will go a long way.
-Cheese
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Mine were getting sluggish and I put '3in1 Motor Oil' and it worked fine.
The cylinders need it be worked a little and then they will work fine
--
Legoer,
Adam Ogle
Matthew Wilkins <mwilkins@nospam.nai.com> wrote in message
news:Fov0B9.2AB@lugnet.com...
> In lugnet.technic, Derek Raycraft writes:
> > I haven't used my pnumatics for a while and the cylindars are stiff. Has
> > anyone tried oiling them, and if so what oil did you use?
> >
> > Thanks for the help,
> >
> > Derek
>
> Well, when I built my Visible V-8, they recommended the use of vegetable • oil;
> I used canola and didn't have any problems with it. I haven't yet had to
> lubricate my pneumatics stuff yet, so I don't know about that particular
> application, but I also don't see any reason it would damage the ABS. • Canola
> is a very mild vegetable oil, and will wash off with water, anyway. If you • do
> use it, a little bit will go a long way.
>
> -Cheese
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It seems to me that very light, clear oils would be best for small parts such
as lego machines - light so as not to gum up the works, clear so as not to make
an ugly mess. I've used Yomega Brain Lube, which is designed for tiny little
yo-yo bearings and contains Teflon. I haven't noticed any sort of damage to
the ABS. Brain Lube is available in toy stores, and comes in a handy little 7
ml tube with a pointy spout which is convenient for apllying small amounts of
oil. I think it costs a few dollars.
Another suitable oil might be inline skate bearing oil - Boss speed lube comes
to mind. I have a bottle somewhere, but I haven't tried it on Lego, and you
should test it on a less valuable piece before you apply it to pneumatic
cylinders to make sure it doesn't dissolve ABS.
Of course, I'm not sure if any sort of oil actually does any good.
Stiff pneumatic parts tend to free up if you just work them a bit. I think
that they contain some sort of oil which settles after disuse and just needs to
be spread about again. I'd be interested to hear insights on this issue - what
sort of lubricant comes standard in Lego cylinders, and does adding oil help at
all?
One last thing - it might be wise to avoid over-oiling pneumatics. I'm not
sure how much oil it takes to really gum up the works, and once it's in, it's
hard to get out. One small to medium sized drop should be enough to lubricate
a cylinder or valve.
Phlodo (Phil)
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