Instrument oil what do you use on your mic's

[SmithDoor]

I use Starrett for over 40's years

The old day the use whale oil / watch oil for mic's

Dave

 

[gus]

I have not heard of Whale Oil being used to oil Micrometers. Am taking note. Not to old to learn.
Been always wondering what oil to use. Been using Singer Sewing Machine Oil.
My latest Mitutoyo Mike has no instructions on oiling.

Seal Oil was used to treat burns. They don't smell bad but just funny.

 

[goldstar31]

Whale WAS used extensively until fairly recently. I recall eating it in WW2 and more recently in Arctic Norway on Winter Survival and Mountain Rescue stuff( not just a pretty face). Again, magarine was made from whale oil.

Seal was and still eaten. I recall being with Riiser Larsen who was not only a sealer but an Arctic and Antarctic explorer who is recalled with the Larsen iceshelf in Antarctica. Quarland was named after Leslie Quar who was a fellow RAF corporal with us at Hendon. But I digress.

We- us poor Brits used fish oil as cod and halibut oil but also for paints as a linseed oil substitute.

So what about bear oil and snake oil? Oh, yes- if an old Canadian trapper who was also a writer can be believed. My memory is fading but I believe that he was a JJ Rowlands and his ilulustrated book was Cache Lake Country. He wrote about oil from livers using both for his guns. Great story- must check the details.

So regards

Norman

Footnote- memory is still working and there is a pdf seemingly

In another existence, I used play about with something called PRS viscosity. And got paid!

It should give a lead to where one should be looking.

 

[SmithDoor]

Be for 1900 most tools where oil with animal or vegetable oil
I have never use whale oil. I have this bottle I have never open. Just have for shelf.

Dave

I have not heard of Whale Oil being used to oil Micrometers. Am taking note. Not to old to learn.
Been always wondering what oil to use. Been using Singer Sewing Machine Oil.
My latest Mitutoyo Mike has no instructions on oiling.

Seal Oil was used to treat burns. They don't smell bad but just funny.

 

[goldstar31]

Be for 1900 most tools where oil with animal or vegetable oil
I have never use whale oil. I have this bottle I have never open. Just have for shelf.

Dave

Actually 'whale' is animal. However, you may have rancid oil by now.

Rancid magarine -made from whales- was the lubricant in ship launches.

Believe me, the stench from whale factory ships lying in the River Tyne for refit was something to experience. The wooden decks- made from Borneo red seraya decking was ripped out annually and burnt.

Now, I suppose silcones are preferable.

Norman

 

[SmithDoor]

I use Starrett oil. Just have the whale oil to set on the shelf not to be used

Dave

Actually 'whale' is animal. However, you may have rancid oil by now.

Rancid magarine -made from whales- was the lubricant in ship launches.

Believe me, the stench from whale factory ships lying in the River Tyne for refit was something to experience. The wooden decks- made from Borneo red seraya decking was ripped out annually and burnt.

Now, I suppose silcones are preferable.

Norman

 

[kvom]

Whale oil is very stable, so yours is unlikely to be rancid. Using it now won't bother the whales.

 

[Tin Falcon]

Man this stuf is getting pricey I used to get a gallon of way oil for not a lot more.
Tin

 

[goldstar31]

My 'way oil' is thixothropic but if yours is to ISO32, this is what is quoted in my books for micrometer oil.
In my oil can for the Myford headstock bearings is ISO32 oil- and comes from a 5 litre can of hydraulic oil.


Norman

 

[gus]

Hi Tin,
Gus will stay with ''Singer Sewing Machine''.

Happy New Year. Take Care.

 

[SmithDoor]

Use some type will gum up the Instruments
I do know 3 in 1 and some gun oils will gum up Instruments
Hoppes will not gum up instruments

Dave

Hi Tin,
Gus will stay with ''Singer Sewing Machine''.

Happy New Year. Take Care.

 

[goldstar31]

Use some type will gum up the Instruments
I do know 3 in 1 and some gun oils will gum up Instruments
Hoppes will not gum up instruments

Dave

Basically 'gumming up' as you describe it is nothing more than than the esterification of Fatty acids. If you use animal or vegetable oils you are stuck with that. Logically, this is why you put paint or varnish on things and it sets. Paint( or did) include things like linseed oil which is naturally a drying oil but was boiled to accelerate the drying and then adding a dryer such as cobalt napthenate to dry quicker again. OK, this is an over simplification but that is the basis of resin and paint technology which was around at the time of the dodo.

And then you get into the saponification of fatty acids- which is soaps and greases.

All pre-history:wall: