Victrola Motor Lubrication

[apruizii]

I'm in the process of lubricating the motor of my first Victrola (VV-X). I just saw the original owners manual on the internet which indicates to use pure vaseline on the gears, worm screws (spirals), etc. Is that the current best practice or can I use common lithium white grease. I also see that the manual indicates to use gasoline for wiping off gummy lubricant. I would rather not have to deal with gasoline fumes. Can I just use GoJo to remove the old grease...what product works best?

Thanks,

AR

[Henry]

I use mineral spirits (paint thinner) as a de-greaser. Lubrication instructions for my XI should be valid for your X as well. although I would use A+D Ointment (petroleum jelly + lanolin) instead of "pure Vaseline," as the A+D doesn't tend to dry out or gum up. You'll find A+D Ointment in tubes at pharmacies. For oils, I use any of the several viscosities of Labelle lubricants, well-known to model railroad hobbyists and generally available at hobby shops that cater to them.

[apruizii]

Henry,

Thanks for the information!

AR

[JerryVan]

AR,

Any good grade of grease will do. However, I don't like white lithium grease. I believe it can dry out and harden. Automotive wheel bearing grease would be fine as well.

[HisMastersVoice]

Mineral spirits to remove the old stuff. I use Lubrimatic wheel bearing grease, it's blue. I know many others who use the same stuff. I've also been using Hoppes No. 9 synthetic gun oil for the past few years with excellent results. 3-in-1 is not a good oil.

[NEFaurora]

I have found that Castrol or Castrol GTX Automotive wheel bearing grease is perfect for phonographs. It is also a beautiful medium brown color! You can buy a tub of it for $7.50 at any local Wal-mart.

:0)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

[Henry]

The way this thread is trending led me back to OP's original query, which began with his reference to lubricating the spring motor, then asked about using Vaselline on the "gears. worm screws (spirals), etc." Lest there be any possible confusion (other than my own!), my response was intended to apply only to the latter items, not to the spring motor. I have no experience whatever with CLA of the motor itself, and therefore am not qualified to comment on that aspect---except to say that when I sent my motor out for cleaning and lubricating, the mechanic used something resembling automotive grease on the springs. And while the stuff has been effective for the purpose, this reddish goo seeped out of the spring canisters for months, posing quite a constant clean-up challenge as it dripped onto the horn below. Moral of tale: whatever you decide to use, apply only enough to do the job, unless you enjoy wiping up grease puddles and stains!

[JerryVan]

The way this thread is trending led me back to OP's original query, which began with his reference to lubricating the spring motor, then asked about using Vaselline on the "gears. worm screws (spirals), etc." Lest there be any possible confusion (other than my own!), my response was intended to apply only to the latter items, not to the spring motor. I have no experience whatever with CLA of the motor itself, and therefore am not qualified to comment on that aspect---except to say that when I sent my motor out for cleaning and lubricating, the mechanic used something resembling automotive grease on the springs. And while the stuff has been effective for the purpose, this reddish goo seeped out of the spring canisters for months, posing quite a constant clean-up challenge as it dripped onto the horn below. Moral of tale: whatever you decide to use, apply only enough to do the job, unless you enjoy wiping up grease puddles and stains!

They all drip oil, no matter what you lube the springs with. Grease is nothing more than oil, held in a heavy binder. With time, the oil migrates out. Lay a paper towel in the bottom of your motor space.

[apruizii]

Thanks everybody for the replies. I appreciate it!!

AR

[tomb]

When I open the bottom of Edison's I always have to scrape off a bunch of grease to clean it up. They all leak no matter what you use. Tape a piece of plastic under the motor depending on the run angle,or use a small towel as said above. I use synthetic grease but you can use what you feel comfortable with. Tom B