REEL NEEDLE BEARINGS LUBRICATION

[Ed G]

I have been restoring my Bally electromechanicals (809s/953A/873) and through the answers on this forum, I have had no issues. I have one question from a previous question answered by Wolftalk and I want to make sure that I got it correct.  I deep cleaned all the needle bearings on the reels an relubed using Tri-Flow OIL not grease.  The oil seems to be very low viscosity and with rare play, i am concerned that the Tri-Flow will disipate (leak down) leaving the bearings partially unlubed.  Just want to make sure that I got this correct as I have six machines to finish in my collection. All else went well.  I live in Las Vegas and with the heat and the machines being in a non-temperature controlled area, I just wanted to verify so I won't have any issues in the future.
Thanks, folks.

[wolftalk]

tri-flow is thin and contains solvents ... it penetrates and dislodges crud.

in theory, the ptfe and oils remain to lubricate.  Seems to work pretty well.  I put the stuff on the needle bearings on my 929 years ago and rarely play the game.  Reels still spin freely/easily.

the problem with grease is it will eventually become sticky or the oil will separate out ... but that takes years also.  A synthetic grease typically lasts even longer. 

small needle bearings normally use a liquid oil of some kind as grease adds too much resistance.  3-in-1 oil in the blue can or practically any liquid oil will do the job as long as there's an actual lubricant in there.  wd-40 in the blue can is not good as it isn't really a lubricant, but wd-40 makes stuff that would be fine.

stay away from white lithium grease ... that stuff cakes up too fast to use on anything.

[Ed G]

Wolftalk, thank you for your prompt response.  I followed all your previous instructions from last August regarding lubrication to the letter and was amazed with the results.  I was also able to purchase the piston cup seals from that link you provided last August. I lubricated them with Superlube O-ring oil and the handles pull and return like a charm.  Just an FYI, according to the manufacturer, Superlube grease is not compatible with Buna B which is the material from which those seals are made.  That is what got me curious as to which Tri-Flo you were referring me to use. So, I believe that I understand that the Tri-Flo which you suggested originally is the Tri-Flo oil and is the correct lubricant for those reel needle bearings.  I just wanted to verify as I have already purchased it but I also saw that there was a Tri-Flo grease.  Just  want to verify that your recommendation was the oil and not the grease for this application.  I did use it on one set of reels and they are spinning like never before!  I have five machines, so before I do all the reels, I wanted to make sure that I understood that it was the Tri-Flo oil and not the grease. I really appreciate your attention to this forum as I am learning alot.

[Ed G]

I just wanted to clear something up regarding my previous post.

I just had a conversation with an engineer from Kano Laboratories which is the company that purchased the Superlube brand about one year ago.  We discussed the current compatability data listed for the Superlube Multi-Purpose Grease and how it lists that it is non-compatible for Buna S materials and that since Buna B from which from which the piston cup seals are made is virtually the same base material (Buna) that we would have an incompatablility problem according to their data.

I was told that Kano will be revising the compatability sheet in time as Buna B has EXCELLENT COMPATABILITY with Superlube grease and will be listed next to Nitrile on their revised data sheet as it is currently not listed as a stand alone composition.

I just wanted to post this as their current listing will be changed to reflect this issue.  Therefore, Superlube Multi-Purpose Grease has excellent compatability with lubrication for the piston cup seals.  I thought this clarification might help other members who are doing restorations and read my previous reply.  Cheers to all!