what is the best sewing machine oil for a pfaff 1245 706/47?

[fibersport]

12 hours ago, fredk said:

SAE oil rated at a viscosity of 5 in Winter

Modern cars usually use something like 10w/40 multigrade oil = 10 viscosity in winter and 40 in summer, ie its thinner in winter

FredK - I see you're in Ireland so that might explain your comment about "modern cars" (not making any bad references to Ireland or your cars of course), here in the US 10W-40 went out with the 70's.  Some of our newer cars run 0W-20!  

Edited June 23 by fibersport

[fredk]

  

[Wizcrafts]

4 hours ago, bodily_carried_technology said:

what is lily white sewing machine oil? 

is it a special type of sewing machine oil? 

or maybe i should be asking what is sewing machine oil? is it special or different then normal oil?

are there different types of oils for different things? 

Lily white oil is a special clear, thin oil meant for sewing machines. Being clear, it doesn't discolor most fabrics if it drips out as you sew. You can buy it in 4 ounce containers that have a pull out thin brass tube, and in quart bottles to refill the 4 oz containers. It is very light weight oil. I recommend buying and using it in all your sewing machines.

[bodily_carried_technology]

ok so if i just type in 

"lily white oil" 

or 

"sewing machine oil" 

it's all the same stuff? 

 

for example, just buy this? 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Stainless-Flexible-Telescoping-Machinery/dp/B0BV4G9R1S?crid=38GL4Y3BVLSTY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FLuLdV6swcw7Tnk6oxhNvsT6sZt0Eu6RWcyT7r-R-tzQXvRTh2UWycG8odVVBuag4W9pLZiMxQjgEc6jlvte7FWAgSDvEQPvl2N_8qPdt932QIQsO5PTQRdhxUJf3TDZHuJFsKfYL61-jJ3BWNEuXuVBw-VOMBKyCwK7NEs6VlGm5VZXdawjH88hUMOwqaifX4_JYmM3iRUPidZJowOSO-QZtvb__pfhc1Gn4vyskhOxEs1tIaw064bOf_7uKDs2YoDAq6Ia_SoqQDJjwEmDeflmELXCK37Po8gaVhnRsXQ.tAeKAw1X4QzMdJCaDAUoD-3owjFyJ02iFYW8P30qfQY&dib_tag=se&keywords=lily+white+oil&qid=1750698432&sprefix=lily+white+oil%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-9

[fredk]

That should do and it should last you a while

[bodily_carried_technology]

awesome thank you 

[dikman]

I suspect you could also use medicinal/food grade mineral oil too as it won't have any of the additives you get in many industrial oils.

[shoepatcher]

I prefer While stainless sewing machine oil.  Does not stain.

glenn

[Cumberland Highpower]

10w spindle oil is what I'd use on that machine. Many machine makers call for it.

In truth you can use almost any oil including motor oil.   

In the past I often just used a 30w straight oil on many machines and worked great, especially older machines that I received with a bit of pre-wear.   Thicker oil does tend to quiet down a worn machine a bit.

Some machines actually call for a heavy oil, such as the famed Adler 205.  It's Esso K68, that's essentially a first cousin to bar and chain oil.

Lilly white is popular here.  I find it a bit light, but many also use it for thread lube so could double up.

Topic for endless debate here.

Edited June 26 by Cumberland Highpower

[Cumberland Highpower]

On 6/23/2025 at 6:01 PM, dikman said:

I suspect you could also use medicinal/food grade mineral oil too as it won't have any of the additives you get in many industrial oils.

I'm a huge fan of Ballistol and use it almost everywhere, but more sparingly on sewing machines.  On sewing machinery I find it a mixed bag and use it for select points.

Edited June 26 by Cumberland Highpower