The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I decided to try some of this Ultra Lube white lithium grease in my Victrola's spring barrel. It sounded like great stuff, which did work nice at first. After only 50 some plays the spring started thumping and thuding. An additional 50 caused the spring to become stuck and thud like mad! This is terrible on the gear bearings also, it all slops off after a few plays and becomes useless.

I have since switched to Mobil 1 synthetic grease, much MUCH better!

If you haven't heard of a book called "The Compleat Talking Machine" by Eric L. Reiss. You may want to get a copy. You will find a ton of valuable info regarding the "tech" interests you seem to have. Most long term collectors (including myself) have a copy of one of the many editions that are out there....I think there have been 4 or 5 reprints. Yes, even "tracking" is discussed.
Ebay or Amazon may be the best source to get a copy.
Hope that helps... .

gramophone78 wrote:If you haven't heard of a book called "The Compleat Talking Machine" by Eric L. Reiss. You may want to get a copy. You will find a ton of valuable info regarding the "tech" interests you seem to have. Most long term collectors (including myself) have a copy of one of the many editions that are out there....I think there have been 4 or 5 reprints. Yes, even "tracking" is discussed.
Ebay or Amazon may be the best source to get a copy.
Hope that helps... .

Thanks!

Does he say not to use Ultra Lube white lithium grease?

How much odor is there to the Mobil 1 Synthetic ?


I made a mistake a few years ago, when I replaced a spring in my Victrola XI: I used Sta-Lube's black graphite grease on the springs and the gears. It is a wonderful, soft grease, but it also has a very strong petroleum odor.

Every time I lift the lid on the machine, the petroleum smell rocks me back on my heels...

That grease will be kept to the cars.

De Soto Frank wrote:How much odor is there to the Mobil 1 Synthetic ?


I made a mistake a few years ago, when I replaced a spring in my Victrola XI: I used Sta-Lube's black graphite grease on the springs and the gears. It is a wonderful, soft grease, but it also has a very strong petroleum odor.

Every time I lift the lid on the machine, the petroleum smell rocks me back on my heels...

That grease will be kept to the cars.

It does have a mild petroleum smell, but it is not strong or overpowering. If I stick my nose right in the Victrola I smell it, but it isn't noticable otherwise. I have used smelly grease before so I know what you are talking about; the Mobil 1 is great.

I started using Mobil 1 grease about 3 years ago and not 1 of the machines makes any thumping noise after sitting for a long time. Want to make sure no smell gets in the house-let the newly packed spring sit for a few days before installing-no smell.
Abe

The Mobil 1 has always worked for me. I never tried the lithium as in the machine tool world I find the stuff actually dries up and then turns to a hard powdered mess in gear boxes my customers tried it on.