Can I use sewing machine oil for lubing the chain?
#26
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I got some fairly pricey fine oil for my refrigerator doors. Despite the cost, it seems very similar to 3-in-1.
Ben
#27
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I seem to remember that two of the purposes for which 3-in-1 oil was marketed were sewing machines and bicycle chains. I'm guessing sewing machine oils haven't changed much. (I'm speculating that there is less of a driving force for lighter, faster sewing machines. I haven't heard yet of grand tournaments where sewers compete every day for three weeks or so; winner determined by miles stitched. The machines taken apart and re-built nightly. I could be wrong, I don't keep close track of the sewing world.)
I got some fairly pricey fine oil for my refrigerator doors. Despite the cost, it seems very similar to 3-in-1.
Ben
I got some fairly pricey fine oil for my refrigerator doors. Despite the cost, it seems very similar to 3-in-1.
Ben
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#30
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No. Yes. Are you kidding?
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Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
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Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1
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Sure, works great on Shimano.
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Quantum mechanics was fourth semester; it takes a lot more than teflon to boggle my mind after that.
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The UK faced some lean years during and after WWII. The contemporary official, from the factory instructions for maintaining Sturmey-Archer hubs suggested cyclists lacking purpose made lubricants use sewing machine oil for the internal mechanism and Vaseline for the ball bearings and labyrinth seals. Many of those AW & FW hubs are still with us, 75 years later.
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And the name makes more sense than some. "Teflon" is sort of distilled out of "tetrafluoroethylene". Actually, it's a polymer (chain) molecule: "Polytetrafluoroethylene" or "PTFE" for short.
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I remember from my first semester physics class that teflon has a lower coefficient of sliding friction than for static friction - I thought "wow, that's mind boggling".
Quantum mechanics was fourth semester; it takes a lot more than teflon to boggle my mind after that.
Quantum mechanics was fourth semester; it takes a lot more than teflon to boggle my mind after that.
#36
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Well, each to their own, I guess. I know chains are relatively cheap but they're probably the component that takes the most abuse, especially if you're riding in inclement weather. I feel it's worth spending a little extra for a decent lubricant that won't get washed off at the first sign of rain or attract dirt in dry conditions. My current favourite is Fenwicks Professional chain lube for the road bike; I'm still trying to find the best option for the mountain bike as I think the Fenwicks will attract too much dust in the dry conditions we're having at the moment.
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...I heard that the frame builder who used to do business locally as "Diablo Cycles", a guy named Boone McReynolds, wound up in Oregon somewhere, fixing sewing machines as his new gig. I know nothing about polarity.
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That's it ? Two pages and out of gas !??
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Lots of folks here: "I use whatever's cheapest, because I'm cheap, but I like to call it 'frugal.' Used crankcase oil, rancid frying oil, snot--hell, one good farmer blow and I'm good for 600 miles! It's important that I save some money when working on my $12,000 dollar bike."
Others: "Spend a few bucks on a proper chain lube. Just pick one--they're all pretty good."
Others: "Spend a few bucks on a proper chain lube. Just pick one--they're all pretty good."
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Where you are incorrect is your decision to revive a many year old thread to bring that up.
True, but the GIF you posted above made me smile, so you have your good deed for the day covered.