"Nothing Runs Better Than
A Well Oiled Machine!"

PART I

Lubricating Your Machine

"Nothing runs better than a well oiled machine” is a phrase that has been around for decades.  But when it comes to the modern high speed equipment, that phrase needs to be expanded to; “Nothing runs better that a machine with the correct recommended oil and the proper oil level maintained.”

This statement is even more important when we look at the sewing machines being produced today.  With speeds of up to 10,000RPM and the added loads to all of the internal parts, choosing the correct oil for your equipment, can mean the difference between profit and loss.  Choose correctly and your machines run smoothly, consistently and with little down time, which, translates into increased production.  Choose poorly and the opposite occurs.

The easiest way to choose oil is to always purchase the oil that meets the specifications recommended by the sewing machine manufacturer. They have spent countless hours testing and retesting the lubricating properties to get the best results for their machine.  Union Special is no different in that respect.  Since its beginning in 1881, Union Special has tested hundreds of oils with different properties to get the best oil for maximum performance and longevity of our machines.  In this article we will cover the two most important lubricating properties evident when choosing the correct oil for the Union Special sewing equipment and provide you a list of the recommended oils from the major suppliers.  In future articles we will cover the other lubricating properties and how they can also affect your machines.

The first and single most important lubricating property is Viscosity. Union Special recommends for its sewing machines an oil with a Viscosity at 100 degrees Fahrenheit of 90-125 SUS.  In simple terms it is the time in seconds it takes 60cc of oil to flow through a standard orifice at a specific temperature.  In this case, it takes 90 to 125 seconds to flow through the test orifice at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, thereby lubricating all of the parts correctly.

Viscosity, sometimes called the weight of the oil, is the measure of the flow ability to support the load of the equipment.  For example: if an oil is too heavy or thick it will not be able to seep into the clearances of the parts and lubricate the contact surfaces.  Basically, it will lubricate the outside of the part but the inside surfaces will remain dry, therefore creating premature wear, friction and contamination.  On the other hand, an oil that is too light or thin will seep into the part clearances and lubricate the part, but may also leak out of the machine and onto the product.  Both of these will lead to downtime and lost production.

The second most important property of oil is its acidic properties.  This factor determines the deterioration rate on the internal parts and bushings under normal or recommended speeds and loads.  The Acidity or Neutralization number for Union Special oil is 0.10, which is the number of milligrams of potassium hydroxide (KOH) it takes to neutralize one gram of oil.

 For example again:  If your oil has too much acidity in it, the oil will begin to affect the internal parts and bushings of the machine and create premature wear.  The acidity also will affect the oil lines and drive belts found in most sewing machine and cause them to crack and break.

The standard measuring systems mentioned above, are all calculated and set by ASTM, which is the American Standard of Testing and Materials, and followed by all of the oil suppliers and manufacturers.

Now that you know a little about the two main properties of oil, here is a condensed list of items that will indicate you are using the wrong oil:

• You are replacing parts on a regular basis.

• Bushings are wearing out easily.

• Shafts and connections develop shake easily.

• Oil is leaking from bushings and covers.

• The color of the oil changes quickly.

• The oil develops an unusual smell.

• The machine sounds loud when running.

• The machine vibrates excessively.

If some or all of these items are consistent with your machines, then you should check with your oil supplier and purchase an oil that is correct for your equipment.  Listed below are 14 different oils that are available from a variety of manufacturers and suppliers and are the oils we recommend for the Union Special sewing machines.