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VPI bearing oil/grease?

I know this has been discussed and forgive me but I'm a little confused. Most of my confusion is from talking with Mike at VPI. I called VPI years ago to ask what type of lubricant to use, the answer was white lithium grease. ( no mention of any of this in the owner's manual) After my bushings were replaced a few years later with bronze, I inquired as to what oil/grease was recommended. The answer was 40W oil. After reading other posts here, I've read that Mike has recommended Mobil synthetic, I don't ever recall them recommending VPI bearing grease to me or anyone. I'd like to get a definitive answer from VPI users here. Thanks.
128x128slaw
wntrmute2's avatar
wntrmute2
188 posts
 
I think much of the confusion revolves around the inverted bearing type vs the well type. My understanding is that the well types require oil such as mobile 1 or as Mike recommended on my HW-19 and TNT, Tufoil. The inverted types require something such grease with won't roll of the shaft due to gravity. This is just my opinion and not an expert one at that.
Dave
oakleys
78 posts
 
good point dave i was also told to try slick50..ithink that was the name..for tnt.
grimsbylad
34 posts
 
My HW-19 sounds best to me when using slick 50
rrog
1,958 posts
 
If Mobil 1 is good enough for my BMW it should be good enough for your turntable.
frogman
7,473 posts
 
Ok, I made the assumption (correctly, I believe), that Slaw does not have an inverted bearing. Mike would never have recommended oil for an inverted bearing, for the reasons mentioned by others. However, grease OR oil can be used in non-inverted bearing wells (bronze bushings), as recommended by VPI at different times. My experince of the effects of the different lubricants I mentioned in my previous post.
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