ILoveToQuilt

I see that many of you recommend Tri-Flow for FW machines. I am confused (a usual state of my mind).

There seem to be many different types of Tri-Flow out there. The one I am thinking (or assuming) that most of you use, is the "pinpoint" lubricant. Am I correct?

Can someone shed some much needed light on this? Of course, thank you in advance!

Cari-in-Oly

This is what you should buy.
http://shop.sew-classic.com/Tri-Flow...il-TF21010.htm
It can be found here at Sew Classic, on Amazon, at bike shops and other places. As it gets more popular more places carry it.

Cari

Mickey2

You are correct, Triflow have various types of oils and greases. The one recommended for sewing machine's is an oil in a bottle, and its' much like you know the regular sewing machin'e oil. It has added teflon and various clever solvents, and it's a notch or two smoother than the regular stuff. The spray can stuff and dry lube variants are for different purposes. Another oil that's just as good is Finish Line Ceramic Wet Lube. This brand has a good selection of lubricants too; the only one that's good for vintage sewing machine's comes in a transparent bottle with a gold cap. The basic oil is nice too, the most important thing is to oil regularly.

ILoveToQuilt

Thanks! My son works as a bicycle mechanic, so I'll be asking him to get me one.

toverly

Let him know that there is oil and grease (like petroleum jelly) you need the grease. I think they use it in their bike gears.

OurWorkbench

I'm pretty sure that OP wants the OIL, like Cari linked to. The Tri-Flow grease is not recommended for anything other than lubing the gears and NOT the motor, especially for the FW she initially asked about. Per http://shop.sew-classic.com/Tri-Flow...oz-TF23004.htm - "Not recommended for grease tubes or pots that lubricate motor bearings via a wick. Use petroleum jelly for those applications." (italics mine)

Janey

Mickey2

I think Singer only recommended grease for the motor and a set of meshing gears under the base of the machine. All other parts run fine with oil. The reason for grease on these gears was probably covenience; grease lasts longer and daily oiling can be a bit cumbersom if you need to take of the bottom plate. All other parts are easily reached with an oil can.

toverly

Oil in the motor smokes. I'm pretty sure it's grease.

OurWorkbench

True enough, no oil in the motor. Also, NO Tri-flow grease in the motor either, as indicated in the Sew-Classic link referred to. Additionally, NO grease at all the place pointed to on pages 15 to 17 of the pdf that Mickey2 linked to. I think the 'confusion' lies in the meaning of the term "lubricant" which can mean either oil or grease in everyday terms. Singer seems to label grease as "Singer Electric Motor Lubricant" or even just "Singer lubricant."

We like and use the Tri-flow oil "Superior Lubricant" ( http://shop.sew-classic.com/Tri-Flow...il-TF21010.htm ) for all those oil points.

Janey, Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

Mickey2

Has anyone actually checked the wicking properties of the various greases? I shall order motor grease from Sew Classic and try it out, anywhere else I tend to use oil or a nice grease with teflon.