Why Tri-flow?
10-25-2012, 11:39 AM
#1
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Why Tri-flow?
Hey everyone,
Being in Canada sometimes is like being in a third world. I am having an unreal amount of trouble finding tri-flow products.
5 out of 6 bicycle shops I've been into carry "Finish Line" products instead of tri-flow, and claim they're better.
Each time, I've told them I'm looking for tri-flow specifically and didn't know if the FL products are SM friendly.
I finally found one shop that carries the oil, 2oz bottle only, but not the grease. And at their prices, I don't think I want to use them as a regular supplier!
I called one of the industrial suppliers in Edmonton, and they said that they carry only the aerosol cans of tri-flow oil. OHHHH the mess could make with a spray can!!
When I told him what the tri-flow grease was - Synthetic grease with PTFE (teflon), he said "Oh! We have this other product called super lube. It's exactly the same thing".
Hmm... just like the bike shops are saying.
I watched a video at sewingpartsonline on how to change the feed dog gears, and he says he uses "the best grease money can buy" and pulls out a tub of walmart brand wheel bearing grease. uhm... ok.
Of course the slathering job he did of the gears with said grease, doesn't make him an authority in my mind...
So here's the question: Is Tri-flow "kleenex" now (i.e. hand me a kleenex, not hand me a tissue...) or is there something that really is different about this grease / oil?
If it really is better, I guess I'll have to smuggle a case of it back over the border then next time we go to the states.
Being in Canada sometimes is like being in a third world. I am having an unreal amount of trouble finding tri-flow products.
5 out of 6 bicycle shops I've been into carry "Finish Line" products instead of tri-flow, and claim they're better.
Each time, I've told them I'm looking for tri-flow specifically and didn't know if the FL products are SM friendly.
I finally found one shop that carries the oil, 2oz bottle only, but not the grease. And at their prices, I don't think I want to use them as a regular supplier!
I called one of the industrial suppliers in Edmonton, and they said that they carry only the aerosol cans of tri-flow oil. OHHHH the mess could make with a spray can!!
When I told him what the tri-flow grease was - Synthetic grease with PTFE (teflon), he said "Oh! We have this other product called super lube. It's exactly the same thing".
Hmm... just like the bike shops are saying.
I watched a video at sewingpartsonline on how to change the feed dog gears, and he says he uses "the best grease money can buy" and pulls out a tub of walmart brand wheel bearing grease. uhm... ok.
Of course the slathering job he did of the gears with said grease, doesn't make him an authority in my mind...
So here's the question: Is Tri-flow "kleenex" now (i.e. hand me a kleenex, not hand me a tissue...) or is there something that really is different about this grease / oil?
If it really is better, I guess I'll have to smuggle a case of it back over the border then next time we go to the states.
Last edited by ArchaicArcane; 10-25-2012 at 11:50 AM.
10-25-2012, 12:14 PM
#2
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 457
No, TriFlow isn't Kleenex - accept no substitutes. Defnitely not FinishLine or any other chain lube. Most bicycle chain lubes leave behind a waxy residue - good for chains, not for sewing machines.
For a grease I might use the real thing - Teflon grease that I keep around for lubing the S&S couplers on our tandems. Pure PTFE and seriously expensive but the maker of the couplers is adamant that it's the thing to use for high pressure metal to metal contact.
For a grease I might use the real thing - Teflon grease that I keep around for lubing the S&S couplers on our tandems. Pure PTFE and seriously expensive but the maker of the couplers is adamant that it's the thing to use for high pressure metal to metal contact.
10-25-2012, 01:48 PM
#4
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
You've probably read this before, but just in case you haven't here's Sew-Classic's page on lubes.
http://www.shop.sew-classic.com/4-Oi...e-Tools_c6.htm
Unfortunately they can't (or won't) ship to Canada.
Also here is Tri-Flows web site. You might be able to contact them and get the name of a Canadian supplier.
http://www.triflowlubricants.com/index.html
To answer your question of why all I can do is relate my experiences.
I've used gobs of different oils and greases in my life. Many different ones on firearms, tools, fans, and other equipment. Some worked good, some worked great and some didn't work worth a hoot.
Then we come to sewing machines. Sewing machines do not have bearings, they have shafts in bores and all that stands between them and wear or seizing up is the oil.
In recent months I have rejuvenated a bunch of old decrepit machines. I've used normal sewing machine oil (Singer, Alpha Sew and who knows), Marvel Mystery Oil, Pennzoil light machinery oil, and something amber my wife bought as sewing machine oil.
All the oils worked, but the Tri-Flow was noticeably better. I can feel and hear the difference in how the machine runs with it.
Tri-Flow grease doesn't fling off the gears as Singer grease does, and it's not sticky and rotation inhibiting like the white lithium grease I've tried.
I consider it better than anything I've tried to date on sewing machines.
In lieu of the Tri-Flow products, stick with Singer oil and lube if you can find it. It's not as good as Tri-Flow, but it's a proven sewing machine compatible product.
Joe
http://www.shop.sew-classic.com/4-Oi...e-Tools_c6.htm
Unfortunately they can't (or won't) ship to Canada.
Also here is Tri-Flows web site. You might be able to contact them and get the name of a Canadian supplier.
http://www.triflowlubricants.com/index.html
To answer your question of why all I can do is relate my experiences.
I've used gobs of different oils and greases in my life. Many different ones on firearms, tools, fans, and other equipment. Some worked good, some worked great and some didn't work worth a hoot.
Then we come to sewing machines. Sewing machines do not have bearings, they have shafts in bores and all that stands between them and wear or seizing up is the oil.
In recent months I have rejuvenated a bunch of old decrepit machines. I've used normal sewing machine oil (Singer, Alpha Sew and who knows), Marvel Mystery Oil, Pennzoil light machinery oil, and something amber my wife bought as sewing machine oil.
All the oils worked, but the Tri-Flow was noticeably better. I can feel and hear the difference in how the machine runs with it.
Tri-Flow grease doesn't fling off the gears as Singer grease does, and it's not sticky and rotation inhibiting like the white lithium grease I've tried.
I consider it better than anything I've tried to date on sewing machines.
In lieu of the Tri-Flow products, stick with Singer oil and lube if you can find it. It's not as good as Tri-Flow, but it's a proven sewing machine compatible product.
Joe
10-25-2012, 01:50 PM
#5
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Join Date: Jul 2012
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Hey Thanks!! I was pretty sure that the Finish Line stuff wasn't going to be what I wanted.
I didn't realize MEC was well known in the states.
They do carry it, but it's always out of stock. No wonder too, they sell it for 1/2 what the bike shops do.
As for the grease, you figure I'm OK with the Super Lube? It says "Sewing Machines" in some of the writeups, but then I read somewhere that 3in1 oil says the same thing, and we all know not to use that on a sewing machine. Ever.
The thing is, Sew-Classic can ship to Canada, just not that product. I suspect it's some sort of shipping rule or border guard thing.
I didn't realize MEC was well known in the states.
They do carry it, but it's always out of stock. No wonder too, they sell it for 1/2 what the bike shops do.
As for the grease, you figure I'm OK with the Super Lube? It says "Sewing Machines" in some of the writeups, but then I read somewhere that 3in1 oil says the same thing, and we all know not to use that on a sewing machine. Ever.
The thing is, Sew-Classic can ship to Canada, just not that product. I suspect it's some sort of shipping rule or border guard thing.
10-25-2012, 02:02 PM
#6
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Hey Joe,
Yes, I've read Jenny's site, it's part of why I wanted it, and it's raved about here there and everywhere.
I sent off an email to triflow previously, no response yet
I'm definitely sold on the TriFlow oil. The biggest problem seems to be the grease. The Singer Grease is getting hard to find here. The Singer store closed down 2 weeks ago, I've actually been taking up a little bit of the slack among the people I know for servicing the machines, but I'm down to my last 1/16th of a tube. I can order it from the supplier I recently set up with, but it's the "in a pinch" moments where I'd like to have an option.
They used to carry tri-flow, but stopped. I hear that it was partly because the bottles were leaking on the shelves. They said they'd look at bringing it back. All they carry currently is the aerosol. I don't want to do that to a sewing machine.
Would you say that Tri-Flow is about the same viscosity as the Singer Lube? Heavier? Lighter? I'm thinking of picking up a tube of the Super Lube to see what it's like. If I hate it, I know DH can use it in the garage, but I'd love to know how it compares thickness wise to the Tri-Flow. They claim it stays put. I guess I'll be the judge of that.
Yes, I've read Jenny's site, it's part of why I wanted it, and it's raved about here there and everywhere.
I sent off an email to triflow previously, no response yet
I'm definitely sold on the TriFlow oil. The biggest problem seems to be the grease. The Singer Grease is getting hard to find here. The Singer store closed down 2 weeks ago, I've actually been taking up a little bit of the slack among the people I know for servicing the machines, but I'm down to my last 1/16th of a tube. I can order it from the supplier I recently set up with, but it's the "in a pinch" moments where I'd like to have an option.
They used to carry tri-flow, but stopped. I hear that it was partly because the bottles were leaking on the shelves. They said they'd look at bringing it back. All they carry currently is the aerosol. I don't want to do that to a sewing machine.
Would you say that Tri-Flow is about the same viscosity as the Singer Lube? Heavier? Lighter? I'm thinking of picking up a tube of the Super Lube to see what it's like. If I hate it, I know DH can use it in the garage, but I'd love to know how it compares thickness wise to the Tri-Flow. They claim it stays put. I guess I'll be the judge of that.
10-25-2012, 02:06 PM
#7
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 457
Originally Posted by ArchaicArcane
Hey Thanks!! I was pretty sure that the Finish Line stuff wasn't going to be what I wanted.
I didn't realize MEC was well known in the states.
They do carry it, but it's always out of stock. No wonder too, they sell it for 1/2 what the bike shops do.
I didn't realize MEC was well known in the states.
They do carry it, but it's always out of stock. No wonder too, they sell it for 1/2 what the bike shops do.
I don't know if MEC is all that well known down here but if you spend time in the bicycle business in the nothern states you'll hear about it. I'm pretty sure REI keeps Tri-Flow in stock so you might check to see if they can ship to our northern neighbors. If Sew-Classic can't I wouldn't be surprised if REI can't either, though.
10-25-2012, 02:10 PM
#8
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8,091
Viscosity? To me they are so close I can't tell the difference.
Here is an idea. I have a shooting forum friend that lives in Canada. His sister lives in NY state. If I want to mail him something I send it to his sister's NY address and the next time he visits her he pics it up.
Do you have any friends or relatives in the US? If so perhaps they could get you the Tri-Flow and get it to you. Like I said, just an idea.
My Tri-Flow oil bottles don't leak. I keep them capped tightly and they are fine.
Singer grease or lube is the old standard. There is nothing wrong with it other than it tends to fling off of gears. It's what you need for Singer motors though.
Have you contacted Singer for a source of their products in Canada?
Joe
Here is an idea. I have a shooting forum friend that lives in Canada. His sister lives in NY state. If I want to mail him something I send it to his sister's NY address and the next time he visits her he pics it up.
Do you have any friends or relatives in the US? If so perhaps they could get you the Tri-Flow and get it to you. Like I said, just an idea.
My Tri-Flow oil bottles don't leak. I keep them capped tightly and they are fine.
Singer grease or lube is the old standard. There is nothing wrong with it other than it tends to fling off of gears. It's what you need for Singer motors though.
Have you contacted Singer for a source of their products in Canada?
Joe
10-25-2012, 03:35 PM
#9
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I found a supplier of Tri-Flow in Canada - they even have free shipping:
http://www.triboutique.ca/SearchResu...20&Search.y=14
Other than motor grease tubes, I don't use anything else.
http://www.triboutique.ca/SearchResu...20&Search.y=14
Other than motor grease tubes, I don't use anything else.
10-25-2012, 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by pinkCastleDH
I was going through the other bicycle chain lubes I'm aware of and realized that Tri-Flow was the only non-waxy one. Wow! I use ProLink myself but not for sewing machines.
I don't know if MEC is all that well known down here but if you spend time in the bicycle business in the nothern states you'll hear about it. I'm pretty sure REI keeps Tri-Flow in stock so you might check to see if they can ship to our northern neighbors. If Sew-Classic can't I wouldn't be surprised if REI can't either, though.
I did notice that MEC ships to the US, and I wondered about that, because it's not often we have better prices here than the US. It doesn't seem like it would make sense for most people to ship from Canada.
Originally Posted by J Miller
Viscosity? To me they are so close I can't tell the difference.
Here is an idea. I have a shooting forum friend that lives in Canada. His sister lives in NY state. If I want to mail him something I send it to his sister's NY address and the next time he visits her he pics it up.
Do you have any friends or relatives in the US? If so perhaps they could get you the Tri-Flow and get it to you. Like I said, just an idea.
Here is an idea. I have a shooting forum friend that lives in Canada. His sister lives in NY state. If I want to mail him something I send it to his sister's NY address and the next time he visits her he pics it up.
Do you have any friends or relatives in the US? If so perhaps they could get you the Tri-Flow and get it to you. Like I said, just an idea.
It would be just as easy probably for us to pick up as much as I could carry in a top case comfortably when we got there.
My Tri-Flow oil bottles don't leak. I keep them capped tightly and they are fine.
Singer grease or lube is the old standard. There is nothing wrong with it other than it tends to fling off of gears. It's what you need for Singer motors though.
Have you contacted Singer for a source of their products in Canada?
Have you contacted Singer for a source of their products in Canada?
DH keeps saying gears will be fine with the Super Lube. Eh.. I'll try the 411 and see what happens. It will probably be the one I use the most for the next little while. It's supposed to be non-drying, synthetic, non-flinging, teflon infused grease. It can't be worse than SuperTech wheel bearing grease or Vaseline, can it? Singer Canada will tell me to use SMS Canada. They're my current supplier. I think I might just have to make sure I don't ever forget to order before I run out.
My current order is 1 -2 weeks away, and I'm lower than I'd planned on the lube, which is what brought this tread up to begin with.
Originally Posted by Skyangel
I found a supplier of Tri-Flow in Canada - they even have free shipping:
http://www.triboutique.ca/SearchResu...20&Search.y=14
Other than motor grease tubes, I don't use anything else.
http://www.triboutique.ca/SearchResu...20&Search.y=14
Other than motor grease tubes, I don't use anything else.
DH and I were talking today. If one Industrial shop carries one product line, there's a chance one of the others will carry the Tri-flow to be different. I will be making some more calls in the morning to see what I can find.
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