Turntable spindle oil

[Tugboat]

I'm assuming that the mineral oil used on hair clippers is about/if not the same as the sewing machine oil being discussed. It's what I've used on my TT, VCR, idler and other shafts without issue.

I never tried 3in1 as I noticed that when it was used on door hinges and locks that it acted as a magnet for dust, dirt, etc. Never saw a build-up of gunk with my clippers using the supplied mineral oil and the same for the other places I've used it. Granted, the places I've used the clipper oil is much more protected from the elements unlike door hinges.

 

[denniswilson]

The difference is that on the Technics the spindle is part of the motor--you are essentially lubing the direct drive motor bearings. The specification is critical to the operation of the motor. In a belt drive, you are lubing heavy duty platter bearings which require more viscous oil.

Thank you...explained very well !!
I can actually remember now my older brother using a heavy dark golden AR oil on his AR belt drive turntable (1970's) which did have a heavy aluminum platter. I remember that the small spindle actually pulled right off the bearing and he placed one drop of AR oil on the tip of the spindle and then placed right back into the bearing.

 

[iLUVanalog]

Again, KABUSA sells just the type of oil specifically for that purpose....check their website.

 

[BrocLuno]

Problem with using any synthetic motor oil is synthetics tendency to "drain away" more readily than dino or mineral oils. This is a well documented phenomena and there are plenty of web posts out there, industry data, etc. Drain off is a bad thing here as we need it to work well in small capillary cavities like bushing walls and such. If the spindle bearing is in a leak proof "cup" that will retain the fluid, synthetics might be a great idea to unload motor stresses due to viscosity loading? But, it needs to be carefully thought out!

Synthetics certainly have a low volatility and would last a very long time before drying out (if ever, in human terms)

 

[FreaK]

I sure wouldn't use the 3 in 1 in the red tin, but the blue tin for electric motors, is what i last used. The tin is at least 14yrs old and unlike our standard 3in1 there is no yellowy goop it runs clear and light. It is a tiny bit heavier than the sewing machine oil we used to have around the house, but barely. It's thin enough to fit everywhere but has enough surface tension to make installing the bearing annoying, as it'll lock up completely, not that that doesn't happen in other cases. It's fine, but not hard. I tried some bearing grease in my TNT last night and it started to harden up and make noise within a couple hours - blech. I won't even buy it again for bicycle bearings, it's just too damn crude.

 

[SA-708]

Again, KABUSA sells just the type of oil specifically for that purpose....check their website.

You can also "cut out the middleman" and order parts direct from Panasonic, which is where I bought my tube of oil, overhang gauge and several other parts from, some years ago.
http://www.pstc.panasonic.com/EpartR/PartsListChoice.asp