I have started making my own fuel as all ingredients are available to me free. I am currently flying with a OS .46 DF, Supertiger G2300, and a OS .61 four stroke. I am presently using a blend of:

-16% refined castor oil ( my understanding is there are 2 types, blown castor which is very thick in Viscosity and refined castor which is a lot thinner in viscosity)

-3% synthetic Turbine oil

-10% Nitro

-71% Methanol

This brings me to the questions,

Is the castor info I have correct, and is the refined better to use than the blown?

A very good friend and reliable source told me that all castor was not good to use as it did not have very good lubricating qualities. Previously I was always told Castor was a wonderful lubricant as well as a good rust inhbitor. Is this new info true?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

Doug

I guess we all have good friends that from time to time give us some bad advice. The protective qualities of castor are well documented, and it's use in at least some concentration is specified by nearly all engine manufacturers, and has been for many decades. I would question the use of the reportedly carcinogenic BP2380 or Mobil Jet2 turbine oils as a model engine lubricant long before I'd question the use of castor.

Blown, refined, gummed, degummed, AA, AAA.....where does it all end? Just use a castor intended for engine lubrication. SIG (Bakers), Klotz BeNol, Morgan CleanCastor, or FHS Castor and you will have the proper oil. Last I knew, castor comes in one viscosity...thick. What they do to the stuff intended for industrial applications is anyone's guess, but it's probably not of the type you want for your engine.

Castor, blended with synthetic model engine oils is a common method used by fuel mfrs and homebrewers alike to take advantage of the benefits of both oil types.

Castor in it's original as-refined form is simply the best lubricating oil you can use. Blown castor has been artificially thickened for use as a plasticiser. Neither the BP (and Exxon) 2380 or the Mobil Jet Oil II are carcinogenic but I wouldn't recommend drinking them