TRI-FLOW Grease Question
 

Is TRI-FLOW grease ok for Featherweight moters? Has anyone used TRI-FLOW in vintage sewing machine moters?

I don't think so, but I'm not positive. Somewhere I remember reading that you should use the Singer grease or vaseline in the motors and just use the TRI-FLOW grease on the gears.

http://shop.sew-classic.com/Tri-Flow...oz-TF23004.htm
From Sew-Classic ref using Tri-Flow grease in motors:
Joe

Thanks Joe

Ken, are you talking about Tri-Flo grease as opposed to Tri-Flo oil? I would think it would be fine to use...

Charlee, I was considering TRI-FLOW grease. The link that Joe provided recommends that TRI-FLOW not be used on motor tubes. I am tempted anyway. The Singer grease tubes burst open most of the time when I use them, and the injector works very well. This is for a 221 purchased in the Los Angeles area for $60.00. I am now back to searching for vintage machines again.

Ken,

I don't know how far into that link you went but there is a smaller link to one of Jenny's blog entries where it's said the Tri-Flow grease is not good for motors because it won't melt. Since it won't melt the grease can't be absorbed or wicked up into the motor's bearings.

What makes it great for bearings, is what makes it unsuitable for motors.

I've had those stupid Singer grease tubes split too. I think maybe I'm gonna cut off more of the spout to make a bigger hole when I do my 201 grease pots.
Either that or I'm gonna get me a couple more of the curved end syringes Sew-Classic sells for grease and put the Singer grease in that.

Joe

Joe, The heat thing makes it sound logical now. The idea of the syring sounds good. I recommend caution when filling a 201 grease pot. The one I overfilled through grease a long way and ways very messy.

Hi Ken, Tri-Flow Grease is great for putting on *gears* because it's "sticky" and stays put longer. The older type of grease is gradually, if not completely, thrown off by the motion of the gears, like shaking water off of your hands.

However, you probably don't want to use Tri-Flow grease in a motor's grease tubes where there are wicks involved. Reason being, the way those operate is the wick is supposed to transmit the grease down to the axle; but Tri-Flow grease contains little bits of Teflon--the very thing that makes it sticky and good for gears--and there's some debate as to whether that Teflon actually clogs the wicks and therefore doesn't get down to where it needs to go. If I'm greasing a Singer motor's grease tubes, I always use Singer grease (or Vaseline, which is the same consistency).

hope that helps,

Ken, listen to Rain! :) He knows what he talks about!

Thanks, Charlee, Rain and Joe for all of your help.