Hi Kelly,

Yes, the bearing people know their stuff and do it right. And a needle bearing that'll handle 46K is impressive. I've been in the bearing business for some 35 years and am familiar with most types and their potential. In our case though, at least for the test bed Norvel .15, an OD of 1/4" is a bit too big. You also still need some meat in your rod to carry the bearing so it looks like the best you can do is to needle an engine the size of a .40 or a .60. I'd do that but for experimenting, the little .15 presents the biggest challenge and also is a lot easier on the fuel bill. I suppose what I mean is that if it can be done with a .15, then everything follows from there. My thinking is that for an oscillating application, a less precise bearing may at least prove the concept.

And as luck would have it, I finally found a source for Cool Power oil at a LDHS. It cost me 12 bucks a quart plus 6 dollars shipping but I was still glad to get it. On a rare warmer day I gave it a try at 20% with store bought methanol at 80%. NO nitro. To my delight, the Norvel .15 really liked it, idle was good and top end was very smooth. Didn't jot numbers down (fingers numb) but I then went and ran 20% nitro Omega and found I only gained 300 RPM at the top. And, get this, the idle was lower and a tad steadier on the simple, Cool Power mix. I AM A BELIEVER. That is some quality oil. Many thanks.

I was about to try CP oil in diesel fuel but found that my head had once again, developed a stress crack. Got some redesigning to do,,, again. [>:]

But this IS a gas conversion forum so here's what's happening there. I just received a brand, spanking NEW Tanaka for conversion. This little beauty just OOzes with quality. No weed whacker of unknown pedigree here. This one will be converted to be a gas runner with stock ignition and it'll be interesting to see how it compares to the other. A big plane is being contemplated. As I haven't flown a biggie for twenty years, I'm looking for suggestions. Something basic as a test bed but something that'll also do some decent aerobatics. Maybe just another big Ugly Stik but this time LIGHT. No door skin ribs this time. (That was the thinking back then).

So we now have Klotz Benol, a castor that will mix with gas, kerosene AND methanol. And we also now have a synthetic that will do that as well. We have tremendous potential here, I think. I like your mix and it'll be the first one I try but what percentage oil are you using? My thinking is a blend of the CP and the Benol.

Cappie,

Seen one of those at the new Home Depot. Guess I gotta get me one. Neat.