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Topic: May I use three-in-one machine oil on a roller nut? |
Kerry Hutcherson
From:
Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2011 9:43 am |
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| I have a 1979 Sierra S-10 3x3, and I recently discovered that the roller nuts for strings 4 and 5 are in bad need of some lube. As recommended by many on the forum, I have been applying very conservative amounts of three-in-one oil on the moving parts in the undercarriage of my guitar, but I wanted to check to see if I can use the same stuff for the roller nuts. Does anybody have any advice about what lubricant I should use? |
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Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2011 9:46 am
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I like Tri-Flow with Teflon
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Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
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Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2011 9:47 am
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duplicate
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Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe.
Last edited by Rick Barnhart on 4 Dec 2011 4:42 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 4 Dec 2011 9:54 am
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Any high quality lubricant works fine. I use 3-in-1 and I tend to keep guitars for 20 years or more. Others will suggest TriFlow or gun oil -- just DON'T OVERDO IT -- in my experience twice a year works fine on all my guitars. A Q-Tip or just a little strip of rag tied onto a swizzle stick will allow you to target the area and avoid overlubrication.
_________________
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My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 4 Dec 2011 10:20 am
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| I, too, use 3-in-1. |
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Kerry Hutcherson
From:
Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Posted 4 Dec 2011 11:03 am
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| Thanks for the feedback, guys. I especially like the Q-tip idea. |
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Ned McIntosh
From:
New South Wales, Australia
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Posted 4 Dec 2011 11:04 pm
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Another good way to precisely place a small drop of oil is to put it on the end of a tooth-pick which allows access to very narrow areas (such as between changer-fingers etc).
_________________
The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being. |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 5 Dec 2011 6:16 am
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Find a hobby
shop,they sell oil with a very small needle spout.
_________________
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 5 Dec 2011 9:38 am
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They used to sell a thing called a Dermic Oiler. What is was was basically a hyperderic syringe with a slightly larger bore, which you filled with oil.
This was in the days before disposable syringes, and was made of glass and metal, so it lasted for ever.
Sewing machine oil is very light and flows well into joints. It doesn't leave any gummy residue. You should also consider Vaseline as a lubricant: it doesn't run. |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 5 Dec 2011 10:24 am
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The Tri-Flow pinpoint lubricator works great, just remember to shake it up before you use it as the teflon particles tend to settle.
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Michael Douchette
From:
Gallatin, TN (deceased)
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George Crickmore
From:
Myrtle Beach South Carolina, USA
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Posted 6 Dec 2011 2:21 pm
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| Michael Douchette wrote: |
| FWIW, I use Singer Light Sewing Machine oil. |
That is the best stuff.
_________________
Excel S-10,2 Williams 700 Universals,Jackson Blackjack Custom,, Goodrich LDR2 & Hilton Vol pedals,Monster 3500pro power conditioner, Morgan SW100 amp & Cab |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 6 Dec 2011 2:50 pm
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| Gun oil works also. |
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Ray Thomas
From:
Goldsboro North Carolina
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Posted 6 Dec 2011 3:38 pm Lubricate
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| If you are a diabetic and give your own shots as I do, the needle is a good applicator just be sure you dont use 3 and 1 for insulin |
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George Kimery
From:
Limestone, TN, USA
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Posted 7 Dec 2011 7:35 am May I use 3 in 1 oil on a roller nut?
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| Somebody in the past, and it may have been Paul Franklin SR, but I am not sure, said to use the 3 in 1 oil in the blue can, not the red can. The blue is a heavier weight oil. That is what I have always used. Just my 2 cents. |
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George Kimery
From:
Limestone, TN, USA
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Posted 7 Dec 2011 7:37 am May I use 3 in 1 oil on a roller nut?
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| Somebody in the past, and it may have been Paul Franklin SR, but I am not sure, said to use the 3 in 1 oil in the blue can, not the red can. The blue is a 20 SAE, which I believe is a heavier weight than the oil in the red can. That is what I have always used and never have had any problems. Just my 2 cents. |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 7 Dec 2011 11:14 am
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Yes, the blue can is labelled "Motor Oil", and is heavier. By the way, 3-in-1 is sold in cheapo plastic containers now. I empty it into any old metal 3-in-1 container.
I've found that oil lasts a long time. I've been using the same container since the early 50s, and I use it lubricate model railway locos., doors, hinges, steel guitars, etc. My container finally ran out last month, which is when I discovered that they don't use the metal containers any more.  |
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Ted Solesky
From:
Mineral Wells, Texas, USA
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Posted 26 Dec 2011 9:17 pm
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| Whetalked to Bud Carter, he suggeted the lightest oil you can get. He uses Zoom oil when building the geetar. Zane Beck told me 'not'to use WD40 cause he had to take changers apart to clean the gum-up mess. I sure do miss him. I use a BMI on U-Tube on Working Man Blues and I'm not sure if they put 'Faded Love' on thar.? |
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Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
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Posted 27 Dec 2011 12:41 am
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I use Zoom sewing machine oil very sparingly. This bottle has a spout but still applies too much for some areas. I like the toothpick, Q-tip, and needle suggestions, thanks. 
Clete |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2011 4:31 am
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| like to mix in a little transmission fluid with the oil. or you can use it straight. |
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Justin Griffith
From:
Taylor, Texas, USA
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Posted 27 Dec 2011 8:46 am
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| Bill Hatcher wrote: |
| like to mix in a little transmission fluid with the oil. or you can use it straight. |
Ditto. I have been using plain old ATF for years. Get the cheap 'Type A or Dextron II/III" No "type F or Mercon V" it has a friction modifier that may not be good.
I have a little needle applicator I use with the transmission fluid I got from one Mr. Gary Carpenter.
_________________
Emmons/Sho~Bud/Blanton, Fender/Peavey.
Telonics pedal |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 27 Dec 2011 10:58 am
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Still using Super Oil by Gunk and a needle oiler I got from Derby's Charlie Stepp better than 10 yrs. ago. That was his recommendation. I figure a builder of steel guitars should know lubrication maintenance.
It's a petroeum based light grade low temp general purpose machine oil that lubricates and displaces water. Spec MIL-L-644B. Probably similar to 3 'n 1 oil.
I used to work in the automotive repair industry so no automatic transmission oil for me. I've had that stuff all over me. The smell never goes away. |
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Steve Ahola
From:
Concord, California
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Posted 27 Dec 2011 11:24 pm
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| Clete Ritta wrote: |
I use Zoom sewing machine oil very sparingly. This bottle has a spout but still applies too much for some areas. I like the toothpick, Q-tip, and needle suggestions, thanks.
Clete |
I have been using Zoom Spout oilers for furnace and appliance repairs for 25+ years. I didn't realize that there was also a Zoom Spout sewing machine oil- I wonder if they are the same. (A Google search indicates that the sewing machine oil should be clear and not stain fabric. Most of the ZS oilers I've used have a light amber color to them although some of them have been clear.) I guess I ought to get a ZS sewing machine oiler and see if they have the same viscosity.
Steve Ahola
_________________
www.blueguitar.org
Recordings on electric guitar:
http://www.box.net/blue-diamonds
http://www.box.net/the-culprits |
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Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
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Posted 29 Dec 2011 10:56 pm
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Steve, the Zoom oil is fairly clear but does have a slight amber tone, though it may appear more colored in the photo, maybe due to the mica underneath? I didnt know Bud Carter uses it, but Mickey Adams was here recently, and gave it the nod as good to use, though he recommends a turbine oil for jet engines.
| Mickey Adams wrote: |
| The newer synthetic MobilJet II, and Exxon 2380 Oils, are completely non-corrosive, and contain no paraffin wax... |
I suppose there are more than a few other lubes that work, and whichever one works to stick with it. Changing from one to another might not be a good idea unless you disassemble and clean the old oil out first. Its a lot of work!
Clete |
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Mickey Adams
From:
Bandera Texas
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Posted 30 Dec 2011 8:12 am
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"Light Sewing Machine oil" is a synthetic blend also, just like turbine oil..For 15.00 you can get a QUART of turbine oil....or for about 10.00 you can get a few ounces of the other...
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