[GreenKeys] OIL & GREASE

[Don Robert House]

As I have reported many times on Greenkeys...

Teletype and the Bell System published specific recommendations for  
Oil, Grease, Paper rolls, and Paper tape.

The most used oil was made by the American Oil Company of New Jersey  
under contract with Western Electric.
The oil was specified by a WE Co. Kearny, New Jersey Specification  
known as KS 7470.  It was SAE 20 oil.
The grease was specified under KS 7471.

Sadly the makeup of the grease and all of the documentation mentioned  
above is still in the museum library in storage in San Diego.
For several years a person could order Bell System Practices through  
Lucent Technologies Customer Information Center.
It now appears that Alcatel has discontinued this service.

As I remember, the Teletype Corporation specifications for oil  
recommend the use of the 20 weight oil for most applications.
In extremely cold climates, such as Greenland, Iceland, Alaska, etc.  
10 weight oil was recommended.
They even suggested adding some kerosine if the machine was expected  
to be operated below 40 degrees F.
In tropical climates they suggested using 30 weight oil if the machine  
was expected to operate in temperatures higher than 80 degrees F.

Personally I prefer ONE LUBE and ONE GREASE from the Slick 50  
company.  It has some modern chemistry that keeps it nice and slippery.
If you cannot find ONE GREASE, the really sticky red wheel bearing  
grease is also very good.

Best

Don
K9TTY