LP 12 BEARING OIL
Posted by: David Sutton on 11 February 2002
I have had the same oil in the bearing for more years than I care to think about (more than 10!). I know it is a long lasting item, but when should it be replaced, and if so, with what?
Thanks in anticipation.
David
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Bosh
Best use Mobil 1. Spins to the 7k RPM limit with ease.
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Dev B
I asked our 'experts' on this a while ago and they told me that the molecular structure of bearing oil does change over time and it's performance impact on the bearing (i.e wear and sound) will change. I use (as you expect given where I work) a specially developed synthetic oil which I had made up which allegedly is good for the turntable equivalent of 15000 miles (four years average 2 hours a day) with no molecular degradation.
regards
Dev
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Dev B
quote:
Best use Mobil 1.
Mobil 1 is shite. Believe me I know.
Castrol is much better.
regards
Dev
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Andrew L. Weekes
From an old copy of the LP12 setup manual, referring to user 'tweaks' that don't work: -
quote:
Other oils in the main bearing. As mentioned earlier, the bearing is subject to two and a half tons pressure per square inch. Linn oil is specifically formulated to eliminate the microscopic welds that can occur at that pressure. The long term use of any other oil can cause damage to the bearing
Remember it's a single point bearing with miniscule contact area, the entire mass of the platter is presented to a VERY small area.
Andy.
P.S. The vibrating pad stylus cleaners are the Audio Technica AT637 or similar, it's what I've used for the entire 14 years I've had an LP12. Linn's 'green stuff' abrasive cleaner (actually fine lapping paper) causes premature stylus wear with too frequent use, IMO.
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Dev B
Linn are wrong.
regards
Dev
ps. two buildings away from where I sometimes work, there are a bunch of individuals in white coats who know more about lubes that is healthy for young men, and one day they did an experiment with Linn oil that I had and new mysterious "brand X" that I now use. The difference under examination was clear.
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Dev B
quote:
what is this mysterious oil called apart "x" as i would have myself believe you
Captain,
Sorry I don't know, it's just a bottle of stuff that I was given.
For the avoidance of doubt I am not advocating it's use. All I am saying in this thread is that if you look at the molecular composition of any normal lubricant compared to synthetic lubricant the difference is clear. Whether this results in an audible improvement or difference or degradation is another matter entirely and something that I would not like to comment upon.
You are probably better off using regular Linn oil, sorry for not being more helpful.
regards
Dev
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Andrew L. Weekes
Were the boffins aware of the forces exerted upon the contact area, along with the environment it works in? Are the properties of brand X suitable.
I fully accept your argument w.r.t. oxidisation / degradation.
On the basis of 30 years reliable operation for most LP12's though, I'd be happy with the Linn oil, with the odd oil change to overcome oxidisation.
Andy.
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Dev B
>>>Were the boffins aware of the forces exerted upon the contact area, along with the environment it works in? Are the properties of brand X suitable.
I did try and explain the workings of an LP12 to one of them, however when the other one declared his Oracle turntable with SME Model V arm via Krell amps into Apogee speakers to be the 'unparalleled reference amongst references' and that Linn/Naim equipment concentrates on 'timing to the detriment of the tone', I sort of figured that he might know something about turntables if not aboout sound
regards
Dev
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Andrew Randle
Did they try the "tune test" with Brand X?
Andrew
Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Dev B
quote:
Did they try the "tune test" with Brand X?
No, had they done this it would have led to some unorthodox behaviour*
regards
Dev
* quick quiz: what famous person (who has, incidentally, sported a mullet) played on this record?
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by John G.
"* quick quiz: what famous person (who has, incidentally, sported a mullet) played on this record?"
Phil Collins
PS Linn owners use Linn oil
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Dev B
You are right John! Actually Phil comitted the cardinal sin of having a combover and a mullet in those early days!
regards
Dev
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Andrew Randle
Oh dear, John's a Phil Collin's groupie!
Andrew (who had to search the Internet for the answer)
Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by John G.
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by John G.
Andrew (who had to search the Internet for the answer)
I had this album when it came out in 1979.
His solo albums didn't start coming out until 1981. Ha!
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Dev B
Please desist in posting pictures of Stallion on this forum.
thanks
Devraj.
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by mykel
A question.
Could you please expand upon the Castrol vs Mobil synthetic comment. From what I understand Castrol recently ( a year or two ago )changed its synthetic to a conventional dino juice that has been engineered. Castrol asked for an expemption so they could call their modified conventional oil a synthetic. I know that Mobil among others were not pleased. Note that synthetic oils are built in molecular chains from poly ester base stocks Their shear strengh is far supperior. If you use a synthetic motor oil, I would think that a staight weight would be better as they don't have any viscosity modifiers and usually less detergents. ( If I remember my chemistry correctly )
Now for the question, what should I use in my Thorens 160? From what I understand from my dealer they can no longer source Thorens products in Canada.
thank-you
michael
Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Dev B
The difference with the Castrol and the Mobil "synthetic" might be the base oil component. I suspect one brand uses synthetic base oils and the other does not, but I can't be sure which one is which. In any event, none of this has a bearing (boom, boom) on the contents of my bottle.
All I know is that Mobil is shite. But I would say that wouldn't I?
regards,
Dev
Posted on: 12 February 2002 by David Sutton
I guess that I will just buy some Linn oil then and replace what is there..... Interesting thread, thanks!
David
Posted on: 12 January 2004 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
Mobil 1 at your peril.
I saw the spindle of an LP12 that had been "lubricated" with non-Linn oil. Sondek Meister Macey keeps such things as a Warning.
The "lubricant" had actually evaporated over time for starters which even I know ain't good. He then pointed out that motor oils are built to do things other than simply lubricate - they have detergents in, for example, which attack and degrades the liner of the housing for the spindle. This means that the fit of spindle to housing loosens. Not good.
The one I saw had actually locked up with the degradation over time caused by evaporation of the oil, and it also had a groove engraved on it which was both visible and tangible.
Regards
Mike
On the Yellow Brick Road and Happy
Posted on: 12 January 2004 by NaimDropper
Linn just sent me a vial of "Black Oil" (anybody follow the old series "X-Files"???) for free. I'm due for an oil change. Can't beat the price, they even paid for postage. And the phone call was free too.
Mine's 1980 or so vintage and on the (gasp!) original bearing. A Cirkus is in the upgrade list if I could find a Linn dealer within 200 miles.
Just do it.
David
