Linn Sondek - What Oil and How to Get It?

by **jcbach** » 23 Feb 2003 13:41

Where can I locate the oil, in the States, needed for this turntable? Thank you

by **sleepy** » 23 Feb 2003 13:53

At a Linn dealer I would have thought.Make sure you get the right oil though , there are two types one for pre-circus and one for circused decks.Apparently putting the wrong one in can b****r up the bearing.

by **Forrest** » 04 Mar 2003 16:37

If you are having a difficult time finding original Linn Black Oil for their LP12's bearing, you should call the Linn Products Customer Support Helpline in Jacksonville, Florida, at 1-888-671-LINN, and let them know. Since there is no Linn dealer near where I live, they promptly sent me a small bottle of the stuff for no charge. You can't beat that, and it's the correct oil of your LP12.

by **gogoha** » 11 May 2003 14:36

I got a used sondel LP12 from ebay recently, SN 24500. It worked fine but it had no oil in the bearing well. The bearing has silver housing with white liner. According to Linn's set up manual, the black oil should NOT go into the white liner, or the liner will swell. I did check with my local Linn dealer; he said Linn does NOT supply the oil go into the white linner. Any suggestions of what oil should be used for a 25 years old sondek, silver bearing housing with white liner?? Thanks, Wesley

by **firebirduk** » 27 Sep 2003 20:26

If you have trouble getting oil for older LP12's then I would suggest using sewing machine oil as a substitute as it is a very light machine oil.

I have used this for several years with excellent results.

Mike

by **mosin** » 10 Oct 2003 04:28

I use a very light copy machine fuser oil in mine. It is a silicone fluid that is similar, if not exactly, like the silicone used to damp many tonearms. I may be the only guy who uses it, but the motor runs cool, and the white lining is compatible with it.

By the way, I use Linn oil in my Thorens TD150. Go figure.

by **Audiophilewannabe** » 23 Jan 2006 01:10

gogoha wrote:I got a used sondel LP12 from ebay recently, SN 24500. It worked fine but it had no oil in the bearing well. The bearing has silver housing with white liner. According to Linn's set up manual, the black oil should NOT go into the white liner, or the liner will swell. I did check with my local Linn dealer; he said Linn does NOT supply the oil go into the white linner. Any suggestions of what oil should be used for a 25 years old sondek, silver bearing housing with white liner?? Thanks, Wesley

Unless otherwise stated always use Linn black oil.

Code: Select all: Bearing Housing Bearing Liner Colour Colour 1. Silver Black 2. Silver White 3. Gold White* 4. Black White (1984) 5. Black Black (1987) serial no.(Approx.) -70,000 6. Black Black: CIRKUS kit serial number 90582. * Use this bearing housing with a light mineral machine oil. Black Oil can cause it to seize.

by **ahabec** » 20 Nov 2008 11:46

How much oil should be put in the bearing?

A guy told me two-three drops in the bearing "well" and rub some oil with a cotton swab on the inner platter's "stick" that goes in the bearing, but from postings here it seems maybe that's not enough?

If you "fill 'er up" and when the inner platter settles it overflows can't it leak to the Valhalla and mess it up?

Any specs on that sewing machine oil? maybe a generic number so I can buy irrespective of brand?

by **PL135-2001** » 20 Nov 2008 20:42

According to the LP12 Set-up Manual on pg 39 (revised Jan 1998 version), you should use about 50 drops of the Linn Black oil.

Regards
Peter

by **hytek** » 09 Mar 2009 07:07

3 in 1 sewing machine oil works fine but you'll find the Linn Bearing makes less noise if you add a few drops of "Prolong" or "Duralube" to the oil. You can just wet the end of the spindle bearing tip, which is more than enough. Prolong and Duralube are friction reducers available at auto parts stores There are no solids in them like the Moly in Linn Oil. A few drops of "Tap Magic" also work just as well but it does not have the persistence. Be sure and listen to your deck immediately before and then after application. These lubricants prevent micro welds at the bearing tip. In the industry they call it stir friction welding but it's just happening on a micro level with these bearings. BTW, I just gave you a huge upgrade to your table with this tip.

Charles

by **kcc123** » 09 Mar 2009 18:18

I wonder if anyone uses motor oil for the Linn?

by **ahabec** » 21 Mar 2009 12:39

Buy Audio Origami's "booster oil kit". If you think oil cannot make an upgrade you can notice, just try it and you'll see. It fits any bearing as far as I know (but better ask J7 to be sure) and for 15 quid it's really the best tweak for the money.

by **audioorigami** » 25 Mar 2009 19:02

lo m8

thanks for the mention

you want to use 1.8ml of oil in the linn bearing

as my friend mentions you Do Not want to use car oil or silicon oil in a linn bearing...the plastic inserts can swell up
(but these oils are safe to use in the thorens bearing)

any questions please just ask
bw
j7

by **__mark__** » 02 Apr 2009 17:22

I use singer sewing machine oil.