Technical lubricants and lubricants: how to use at home and in the workshop

Recommendation points

• Machine oil
• Solid oil, lithol (grease)
• Graphite grease
• Spray can
• Other types of oils
• Compressor oil
• Hydraulic oil
• Edible oil (sunflower)
• Waste engine oil

In this article, you will learn what technical lubricants are and what they are for. We will tell you about the varieties, household use, features of the composition and give practical advice. In the article you will find approximate prices for popular types of household lubricants.

Today’s market has no shortage of related products – everything that is used in heavy industry or high-precision manufacturing can be purchased on the open market. This fully applies to numerous types of technical lubricants – lubricants. In this article we will figure out which of them are most suitable for solving daily household and household tasks..

Machine oil

Initial assignment. A popular type of lubricant, familiar to everyone who has dealt with any type of technology. Engine and transmission oil is designed to create an “oil mist” or “cloud” that forms when parts are operated in a closed environment (gearbox, engine). In a “resting” state, it is in the crankcase or closed sump. That is, the properties of machine oil are fully manifested with intensive operation of mechanisms and temperatures up to 120 ° C. This lubrication method is called “oil bath”.

Home use. Motor oil or spindle oil – a versatile fluid for lubrication of all mechanisms – from locks and hinges to sewing machines.

Application nuances. In a cold state, despite the relative viscosity, the engine oil remains fluid and can come out of the holes (leak). At the same time, metal dust accumulates in it, formed by abrasion of parts..

Advice. Be careful and do not over-lubricate household mechanisms – excess oil may leak out in unexpected places and ruin the finish (upholstery, coating). Dissolves with any solvent on petroleum products – from gasoline to solvent, steamed.

The price of a machine (spindle) oil suitable for domestic use

Solid oil, lithol (grease)

Initial assignment. Machine oil thickened with calcium soaps to a creamy consistency. A greasy, sticky substance that is not washed out by a stream of water – advanced engine oil. Designed to work in wet environments in agricultural machinery, transport and ships. The canvas impregnated with solid oil becomes hydrophobic and can be preserved. Doesn’t leak under gravity.

Home use. Excellent lubricant for mechanisms in leaky casings – old-style locks, flywheels of sewing machines, moving parts of bicycles and motorcycles, bushings, bearings. Protection of fittings, valves, sensors in a humid environment – caissons, basements, plumbing units, etc. Vaseline and grease are homogeneous compositions, but components have different degrees of cleaning. Used in horticulture for making var.

Application nuances. A stock of solid oil can be applied to the inside of the casing and added to the assembly during maintenance. Natural solid oil decomposes at a temperature of 80 ° C, synthetic at 95 ° C. Not suitable for knots with high loads and friction. Is not completely removed from fabrics (material).

Advice. It is good to lubricate tarpaulin, leather and other work shoes with solid oil – it becomes resistant to water, frost and more elastic.

Solid oil cost

Graphite grease

Initial assignment. Solid oil to which graphite powder is added. The main property of graphite is extremely low thermal conductivity, which preserves the properties of solid oil in operation at high temperatures (80–150 ° C). The grease is resistant to moisture, designed and manufactured for use in loaded machine tools and machines with high friction. It is used in all types of gearboxes of industrial, shipping and transport equipment, as well as for lubrication of the saddle of trailed tractors (road trains).

Home use. Along with the grease, but nodes with an increased temperature are added. Most often these are gearboxes for grinders, circular saws, drills and hammer drills, home machines, etc..

Application nuances. It coincides with grease, but graphite grease is much more easily soiled (black) and leaves not only a greasy stain, but also a black coating. It should be used very carefully..

Advice. Graphite grease can be made by hand by mixing grease, machine oil and graphite powder (crushed pencil lead) to the desired consistency. The best way to lubricate a bicycle or motorcycle chain is to “boil” it in this lubricant for 10-15 minutes. Due to graphite, the solid oil does not decompose during cooking.

Retail prices for graphite grease

Spray can

Initial assignment. Cleaning of small mechanisms and tools from sand, dirt, plaque and old oils. It is used in the repair and maintenance of mechanisms to inspect the removal of impurities. Consists of liquid technical oil and solvent, pumped into a pressure cylinder. Dissolves most of the known technical oils and liquids (except for special, stable).

Home use. Unscrewing rusty nuts and bolts, restoring the performance of jammed mechanisms (if the parts are not deformed), lubricating hard-to-reach places – furniture hinges, locks, large watches. Liquid dissolves ice – lubricant helps open frozen car locks.

Application nuances. The cylinder always has a long thin tube that allows grease to be introduced into the 2 mm openings. The liquid evaporates without leaving significant traces, dissolves fat, and is non-toxic. It is believed that aerosol is a panacea for lubricating everything and everyone (all types of mechanisms). However, this is not a lubricant, but a solvent containing some oil..

Attention! Take care of your eyes when using aerosol, especially when flushing the cup elements. The most dangerous aerosol for cleaning carburetors and nozzles (contains acid).

Advice.Use the aerosol only as an “emergency” or prophylactic cleaning agent. After applying it, lubricate the parts with the appropriate composition, otherwise the metal will remain “naked” and condense moisture.

Prices for oil aerosols

Other types of oils

Compressor oil

Designed to work in harsh environments – high temperature and pressure. Contains antiwear, antioxidant and anti-corrosion additives. Can be used in any kind of technique.

Hydraulic oil

There are many varieties of this fuel, each task has its own composition. Features high flash point, chemical dissolution resistance and high thermal conductivity.

Edible oil (sunflower)

Also has lubricating properties for mechanisms. It can be used only in an emergency – when an urgent need to lubricate or wipe a part, and there is nothing else at hand. After application, it is necessary to carry out prophylaxis – rinse the mechanism and apply a suitable composition. Edible oil builds up dust and dirt, which can lead to seizure over time.

Waste engine oil

The fuels and lubricants, which have completed their work, have in their composition metal dust and are no longer suitable for mechanisms. However, such oils retain a very useful property – flammability. That is, in fact, they are energy carriers. Such an advantageous property did not pass by the attention of folk craftsmen and they began to make stoves and even boilers for autonomous heating during the “development”. Waste oil stoves are popular with farmers, owners of private houses, garages, and greenhouses. Cold processing is an excellent technical wood preservative. The tree deeply (up to 2 mm) absorbs oil, the composition of which is unacceptable for insects.

Timely lubrication of any mechanism is the key to its reliable and long-term operation. The two main symptoms that say it’s time to lubricate it are creaking and overheating. Do not wait until the “dry” parts wear out and play appears. And remember, the simplest and cheapest oil can is an ordinary medical syringe. You will be able to deliver the lubricant to the most inaccessible place..