Large Scale Central

Latest: MObil 1 Synthetic Grease and Oil - OK to use?

General Discussion
#1

To all:

From the technical support desk at Mobil Corp., I was advised that “if the gearing in the model trains can handle mineral oil, there should be no problem with either Mobil One’s synthetic grease and/or Mobil One synthetic motor oil.” The technical desk: (1-800-662-4525)

Already testimony has come in on this site as to successful use of Mobil One synthetic motor oil.
Safe use of Mobil One synthetic grease completes the picture.

Now, for the inventive among us, what packaging would you use to store and apply the Mobil One synthetic grease - considering it comes in the automotive-style grease gun tubes?

For those who help with large layouts having huge numbers of locos/rolling stock, Mobil One can be a BIG savings – I know working on the 50 Locos and hundreds of cars at Palm Desert’s Living Desert outdoor layout, LGB’s tues of grease and pens of oil ran up a large tab. Now, here is a cost cutter.

Wendell

#2

You can get non “zerk” (sp?) tips for most grease guns. I have one here, handy for squirting wherever needed and when there is not a fitting.

Can you get it in a small tub? I have some bearing grease like this too.

The Mobil 1 idea is good, there are a few things like this that can be snuk in on non-train budget!

#3

There are ‘needle’ attachments available for standard grease guns. See: Alemite’s Adapters, Extensions and Injector Needles (link) as one example. Four different ones toward the bottom of the page. They are still not small enough to use directly, but would be good to dispense small amounts that would be applied with a tool of some sort.

All the major grease gun companies have similar needle dispensers and the big parts suppliers such as NAPA and Auto Zone catalog them. They might have to order, but they are definitely available on short delivery.

Hope this helps.

Happy RRing,

Jerry

#4

You should be able to puchase glue applicators (needle type) with removable rear plunger from most hobby supliers. An alternative would be differant size hypodermic syringes with differant size needles from craft stores or pharmacy suppliers. If you ask nice and explain what you are using these for your doctor may give syringes to you as they are throw aways once used.
I had to wait til my next visit but after explaining what was going on my doctor allowed me to bring a hard plastic case to his office for a couple of used syringes from his sharps container.These were soaked in alcohol just in case and a new very large diameter needle from him was also acquired. Used needles will clean up but new is safer.
Dave

#5

Guys,

Go to the live steam dealers for the syringes they use for steam oil & water fills…

#6

In the Midwest anyway most of the agro stores such as Farm & Fleet ot Tractor Supply carry syringes and needles for use on livestock. They are usually quite reasonably priced and you don’t need any credentials to buy them

#7

Good suggestions.
Raymond 4449 - regular contributor on MyLS – is testing the Mobil synthetic grease to ensure its ability to attach itself to locomotive gearing. My guess, as well as his, is there will be no problem. Mobil Corp. description piece amplifies the ability of the grease to withstand the effects of water washing it away – likely related to ball joints on cars.

Any caveats with either Mobil One synthetic grease or oil from anyone’s experience?
More later.

Wendell

#8

As several point out above, there are lots of needle-type applicators, but since the Mobil-1 grease is already packaged in an automotive-type grease gun cartridge, using a needle tip on that grease gun has the advantage of not having to ‘repackage’ or transfer the grease to another container or applicator. That could be a potentially messy and high loss operation, and one would still be faced with the possibility that the grease is thick enough that it won’t dispense through the new needle, along with the problem of storing the product that remains in the cartridge.

Automotive grease guns are cheap, and the needle applicators are readily available items. Just find the smallest needle tip and put the cartridge in the gun. This would eliminate mess and loss, along with preventing contamination of the remaining stock.

Happy RRing,

Jerry