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Clive197
20-07-2013, 00:21
Hi guys
I have just got in mint condition a Technics SL1210M5G with a Origin Live Silver arm. I would like to know with what oil I lubricate the main bearing. I don't want at this time to replace the bearing. As you all know, the Technics oil is no longer available, so I need pointing in the right direction. I am sure this has been discussed before and are thinking oh boy another newbie, but hay.
Mike g
20-07-2013, 07:44
Get in tough with Jonny at audio origami- he'll sort you out with good oil and a little kit to clean out the old stuff.
Oldpinkman
20-07-2013, 08:13
I was going to say "any good chip oil" - but then I remembered that's for Dac's :lol:
SquireC
20-07-2013, 11:44
Yes, Johnnie's super slippery oil - although he may recommend the 'thicker' oil. Top quality stuff.
Gdg
22-07-2013, 13:20
The exact replacement oil is the "ISO VG 68". It is a synthetic oil and you can easily find it everywhere for about 6 € / LT.
I got this info form vinylengine.
RochaCullen
22-07-2013, 13:27
The exact replacement oil is the "ISO VG 68". It is a synthetic oil and you can easily find it everywhere for about 6 € / LT.
I got this info form vinylengine.

Does anyone know of a commercially available version of this?
Wakefield Turntables
22-07-2013, 13:36
mike new supplies a version with his bearings so you might want to consider that as well.
Gdg
22-07-2013, 13:44
"Anderol 465", or "Mobil Vactra"
If you look for "ISO VG 68" into ebay you'll find lots of results
RochaCullen
22-07-2013, 14:07
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PREMIUM-SLIDEWAY-LUBRICANT-OIL-ISO-68-HORIZONTAL-SLIDEWAYS-FREE-POST-/390620840304?lgeo=1&clk_rvr_id=499460115934&vectorid=229508

This is the only one that seems to come in small enough sizes.
Clive197
22-07-2013, 17:01
Thank you for that information. I have ordered 250ml. As an idea I could bottle it in say 25ml pots and sell it on this forum, do you think there would be any takers?
Price would depend on how much the plastic oil pots would cost but I thought £3.99 incl p&p
Qwin
23-07-2013, 23:56
I don't think any of these oils have much in common with the original Technics oil.

I must confess I've only come accross the original oil on a bearing and never seen a qty in a bottle so trying to guage its viscosity is difficult.

But it seems VERY thick, in order to stay in place, on the shaft and on the thrust pad.

The oil in the fleabay link and the Vactra No2 mentioned is ISO 68 (SAE 20) which is the thin stuff they used on classic cars and motor bikes, and hapens to be what I use on my modified (fully imersed) bearing.

The Vactra No3 or EH (Extra Heavy) is ISO 150 which is slightly thicker and equivelent to SAE 40.

If either is used on a standard bearing, which has no method of holding the oil in place, it may run dry fairly quickly.

That's just my opinion, but If you go ahead and use it, I would monitor the lubrication carefully to see it stays in place. ;)
Clive197
24-07-2013, 10:18
According to my research, Technics supplied a ISO68 oil which has viscosity of SAE 30. It was a single viscosity oil
NRG
24-07-2013, 13:18
The original Panasonic Technics oil was SFWO010 but this is discontinued, however, KABusa.com seem to still list it (or something very similar) for $6...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-Technics-SL-1200MK2-6-Turntable-Spindle-Bearing-Oil-Lubricant-SFW0010-/181171020099?pt=US_DJ_Turntable_Parts_Accs&hash=item2a2ea26143

Hmmm, says Genuine but doesn't look like the SFWO010 oil tube I have...
Clive197
24-07-2013, 14:43
The original Panasonic Technics oil was SFWO010 but this is discontinued, however, KABusa.com seem to still list it (or something very similar) for $6...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-Technics-SL-1200MK2-6-Turntable-Spindle-Bearing-Oil-Lubricant-SFW0010-/181171020099?pt=US_DJ_Turntable_Parts_Accs&hash=item2a2ea26143

Hmmm, says Genuine but doesn't look like the SFWO010 oil tube I have...

Hi Neil

Thanks for this. If you look carefully at the photo, I think the bottle is black, and maybe not the oil. But hay ho.
Clive197
24-07-2013, 17:55
A big thank you to all those who replied to my thread. I have now ordered some oil from the States. The oil I am told is an original Technics synthetic oil that is supplied in a black container and was supplied in bulk from Technics. Lets hope they are not trying to leg me over.
The ISO68 oil I purchased from a UK supplier is on receipt going back as it is a mineral oil which was not exactly made clear on sellers description.
The Grand Wazoo
24-07-2013, 18:36
Lets hope they are not trying to leg me over.

The thing is Clive, you'll probably never know.
I'd like to see a comprehensive comparative test of the performance of all the available oils in a wide range of turntables. I wonder if there's one that'll make The Smiths sound exciting?
Qwin
24-07-2013, 23:08
Aah, that would be Snake Oil. :D
Clive197
25-07-2013, 10:23
The thing is Clive, you'll probably never know.
I'd like to see a comprehensive comparative test of the performance of all the available oils in a wide range of turntables. I wonder if there's one that'll make The Smiths sound exciting?

Trying to do a comprehensive comparative test on all the oils would make you lose the will to live, only to find out that nothing makes The Smiths sound exciting.
Clive197
31-07-2013, 12:22
Oil has arrived from USA. Label says Recognised By The MFG As Original Amberol 465 Synthetic Oil.

Genuine SFWO 010 D.D.Motor Oil

Use two drops every 2000 hrs. Of operation at Bearing Edge.

Problem solved
stupinder
31-07-2013, 13:27
The thing is Clive, you'll probably never know.
I'd like to see a comprehensive comparative test of the performance of all the available oils in a wide range of turntables. I wonder if there's one that'll make The Smiths sound exciting?
Nothing can do that!
Stubies
04-09-2013, 10:20
Has anyone tried this?

Origin Live Turntable Bearing Oil
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Origin-Live-Turntable-Bearing-Oil-/390643588731?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5af42c1e7b

Here are a couple quotes/reviews:

"I found a definite improvement in sonics after using this, with both low level detail and musicality improving noticeably - the sound just seemed smoother and more natural. Highly commended then! "
- HiFi Choice, July 2012 Full review

Origin Live turntable Oil will upgrade the performance of most turntables - the only exception where we advise that this oil is not used is with inverted bearings and bearings where the platter spindle is not immersed in oil such as the Technics deck.

Origin Live turntable oil is probably THE best oil available for turntables. Our quest to design the perfect bearing has meant trying literaly hundreds of oils and additives over the last 20 years.

Amazon:

"I compared this oil against four other lubricants; 10 wt sewing machine lubricant, 30 wt SAE non-detergent motor oil, 0W-20 wt Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil, and 5W-30 Mobil 1. I used an Ariston RD40 turntable (phosphor bronze bearing housing with a steel ball bearing supporting the platter shaft/spindle) as the test bed.

Admittedly, this was by far the most expensive oil on an ounce-by-ounce basis. Yet it was clear from listening that the results justified the price. Also, it was obvious that the platter turned with the least amount of friction -- when spun by hand and no belt attached, it took the longest to come to a halt due to friction. This last result was a bit of a surprise, since I expected the 0W-20 Mobil 1 to have the least friction.

Since the platter is coupled physically to the bearing through the shaft/spindle, any improvement in reducing friction and noise will pay off in reduced background noise. The sound was quieter, that is, with a lower noise floor. In my opinion, this is one of the most effective tweaks you can do for your turntable, providing that you have a removable bearing shaft. If you have a sealed bearing, such as for any direct drive turntable and some models of belt drive turntables, you cannot change the lubricant, so don't try. Use the money for a new album instead. Otherwise, I think you'll like the results a lot! I did.