Lubricants

[strat1960s]

Being a mechanic for 14 years, I know some lubricants are better than others.

I've used after-run oil on my main shaft and tail shaft on my RCT 450 Sky Shark with no issues.

I had always heard nothing beats 3-n-1 oil. Today I cleaned and lubed the main and tail shafts with the 3-n-1 oil. Is this the best oil to use or is there better?

Also, what, if any grease should I use on the gears?

Thanks

Ted

[heli-cuzz]

Tri-flo works well.

[tdswan]

Greasing plastic gears is not a good idea. They are best left dry so they do not attract dirt.

I use a good quality automotive grease on my bearings and Tri-Flow on almost everything else. If your one-way is a sprague type, ATF is best, light grease on a bearing type.

[strat1960s]

I had always assumed that prior to lubricating the shafts I was supposed to clean them up really good. It made little sense to me to put oil on dirty shafts.
I'd lube up a q-tip really good with the after run oil and wipe down the shafts. After a few minutes I would lube up another q-tip and keep rubbing it down. I would continue this untill the q-tip was clean. Much like how they trained us to clean our M-16s. You keep running gun cleaning oil soaked pads in and out of the barrel until they come out clean.
Anyhow, I had heard that the 3-n-1 oil was better than after run oil. I haven't tried the tri-flow oil yet. Since we got our first real snow of the winter it may be a while before I can fly. I'll keep everyone posted.

[WiscHeli]

3 in 1 is like WD-40 will just make every thing gummy in time ,,, use tru-flow a synthic oil were needed but do not over oil it just attrats dirt

[schluterdude]

3-in-1 is a bit thin, it doesn't really stick to anything, just runs off. triflow is great, as it's thicker but can still move around. some fuel mfg's say not to use afterrun oil with their product, so follow their reccomendation. ATF works great as afterrun oil. ever see the inside of an automatic transmission? spotless! well, except for the pan.... :)

[strat1960s]

I've seen my share of tranny pans off and on the transmission. LOL. I know what you're talking about, everything being spotless on the tranny, but the pan is just nasty.
Ok, I'll save the 3-n-1 for my fishing reel and my wife's sewing machine. I'll look into buying some tri-flo

Ted

[SirCrashalot]

I use a mixture of 3n1 and ZMAX engine additive. Pam. . . yes Pam the cooking spray is used by many mountain bikers due to its ability to keep a heavy dirt/dust grime, build up on bike chains and crank gears. I have tried this on main bearings. I was impressed.

[Rappy1]

I sorry i don't want to hijack but...
is there another type of lube you can use other than tri-flow. I have not seen it for sale here in New Zealand. we do however have 3 in 1 which i been using lately. I see previously mentioned that tri flow just a synthetic lube. Is automotive engine oil an ok replacement?

[strat1960s]

I would steer clear of automotive oils. They are too thick and will be flung off, onto your electronics and the inside of your canopy. They also contain additives and cleaners that could harm your heli.
I've been using 3n1 until I get around to buying some tri-flo. As long as I don't over-lube, I haven't had any problems. I use a q-tip to apply the 3n1 to the main and tail shafts. I use a surenge and needle to apply to bearings.

Ted

[Rappy1]

Thanks strat
I take it a q tip another names for ear buds? the things you pinch ouut your wifes make up bag?

[Ots]

http://www.nzap.co.nz/tools_lubricants.php

Rappy1 - Here's a link to an unlikely spot for RC Heli solutions!

[Rappy1]

good find ots will have to orderr mee some

[vermonster]

you can also use any cycle lube such as white lightning (http://www.whitelightningco.com/) or purple extreme (http://www.purpleextreme.com/) these are all top lubes