Tallow

[TheTeaBoy]

I have a tub of 'Monument' brand Tallow that I bought from Toolstation. On the label it states, 'Used as a lubricant for threading, pulling electric cables through conduit etc.' However, Google says Tallow can react with and damage PVC sheathing on twin and earth cables, so I'm confused. Can I use it to pull cable through conduit or not?

 

[flameport]

Tallow does not damage PVC, despite what the Google AI slop machine might claim.
You can use it if you really must.

However tallow is a disgusting material and there are much better alternatives. This: https://www.toolstation.com/ideal-industries-yellow-77-wire-cable-pulling-lubricant/p67429 for example.

 

[morqthana]

However tallow is a disgusting material

Rats and mice love it.

 

[TheTeaBoy]

Okay, thanks!

 

[SUNRAY]

Rats and mice love it.

Unfortunately they also like yellow77, they chewed through my tube on the shelf and licked it clean upto halfway

 

[Risteard]

Another vote for Yellow 77.

 

[crystal ball]

The smell of tallow reminds me of being 16/17yo apprentice and being given the task to make 10 nipples from two inch conduit with stocks and dies, had muscles like Popeye when I finished

 

[Scally-Ho]

65 yrs ago I was wiping lead joints with tallow as an air excluder (flux) and also to enable a good flow of the plumber's metal I also used it for leaded lattice window work.

 

[Nozzle]

Talc is good for pulling cables. Jury still out on the asbestos factor

 

[JohnW2]

Talc is good for pulling cables. Jury still out on the asbestos factor

Talc should not contain any asbestos, but what we are hearing about at the moment is an occasion on which some was present.

However, pure talc is also an 'irritant' which can cause inflammation of certain bodily tissues, and that might possibly include within the lungs (but I'm not aware of it causing cancer, as asbestos can). Decades ago we stopped using talc (in favour of starch) as a 'lubricant' in surgical gloves, since when talc got into body cavities during operations, it could result in inflammation (of the lining of the cavity etc.), potentially leading to 'adhesions'.

 

[333rocky333]

The smell of tallow reminds me of being 16/17yo apprentice and being given the task to make 10 nipples from two inch conduit with stocks and dies, had muscles like Popeye when I finished

How big were the stocks to thread 2 inch back in the day

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Talc should not contain any asbestos, but what we are hearing about at the moment is an occasion on which some was present.

It is mined, usually in proximity to asbestos, so it sometimes does include traces of asbestos.

 

[crystal ball]

How big were the stocks to thread 2 inch back in the day

Standard AFIK, probably I extended with off cuts

 

[JohnW2]

It is mined, usually in proximity to asbestos, so it sometimes does include traces of asbestos.

Indeed, but they know that and are meant to (and, presumably, usually do) take steps to ensure that talc containing significant amounts of asbestos (or any other potentially harmful contaminant) does not get to market.