Reprinted with permission from Fluoramics
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Charles Smith is an avid collector of antique Thomas Edison phonographs, and he attributes much of his success in keeping them in perfect condition to Lubit-8® lubricant from Fluoramics. But Lubit-8 wasn’t his first Fluoramics product. In fact, he first became a big believer in Fluoramics’ Tufoil for Engines, which he began using in nearly 30 years ago in his Ford F-150 pickup.
closeup of circa 1917 edison phonograph
“I’ve been using Tufoil for Engines in my pickup since 1989,” says Smith. “Today it has 242,000 miles on it, and it still runs like a charm. When I took it for emissions testing at 211,000 miles, the person conducting the test was amazed that it passed, but I knew that it would. I can really feel the difference in the way the truck runs when I add a little Tufoil to my engine oil. I even use it in the rear axle, and I’ve never lost a bearing.”
Mr. Smith has been using Lubit-8 on his antique phonographs for four years, and it, too, works like a charm.
“I have two Thomas Edison cylinder phonographs — one made in 1917 and the other in 1927,” says Smith. “One is a little larger than the other with a bigger horn and a double-spring. Both the motors are direct-drive and are bulletproof.
“Just a little drop of Lubit-8 removes every last bit of friction from my phonograph motors. I love that long needle-like applicator because it lets me add Lubit-8 one drop at a time. I just touch the needle to the surface and a single drops spreads to cover it. And what I really like is that Lubit-8 doesn’t congeal like common oil and turn into gum. That’s very important to me. Lubit-8 maintains its integrity, and I only need to add it once every year or two on the slide rod. Even when the main spring is at it the very end of travel, it is still trying to travel because Lubit-8 reduces the friction to nearly zero. I also use Fluoramics’ Lightning Grease in the spring barrels. The main spring is a heavy one-inch spring, and Lighting Grease really keeps it lubricated and moving freely.
“I always recommend Lubit-8 and Lightning Grease to other phonograph collectors on the Antique Phonographs Facebook page,” says Smith. “You’ve got amazing 21st century products, and they do an incredible job of lubricating everything from my pickup to my antique phonographs. I am your biggest fan, and I think everyone should be using them.”