live steam models

According to :

Made for lubricating steam engines. (I'm sure that there are other sources, but this is one which I had looked at only today.) (No -- I have had no dealings with them -- yet, but I am tempted.)

It might just need the stuffing renewed.

Good Luck, DoN.

Is this oil added to the boiler feed? At what rate?

Is this oil added to the boiler feed? At what rate? >>

NO, you do not want oil of any kind in a boiler, it impairs heat transfer and is destructive. I would not be concerned about cylinder lubrication of an engine of this type unless you plan to run it a lot. If you do, I'd recomend a condensation type lubricator installed in the steam supply line. These devices have a chamber filled with the type of oil as mentioned by DoN and have a means of allowing steam into the chamber where it condenses and the water displaces the oil, causing it to run out into the steam pipe and down to the cylinder. Check out:

See if there is a little fitting of some type with a screw top on the 'ouptut' side of the boiler, possibly downstream from a steam control stop-valve and before the engine steam intake. This is the oiiling arrangement on many small model engines.

One unscrews the fitting and puts in 2-3 drops of steam oil each time the engine is run. Most of this oil winds up being discharged more or less at once but presumably enough 'sticks' to perform its function.

I've had a small supply of steam oil for some years but I've heard that a few drops of motor oil can be used in a pinch. Dunno if that is true.

Soames

'Never mind world peace, visualize using your turn signal'