It used to be pretty common to find oil of wintergreen (methyl
salicylate) on the shelf in drugstores and even at some grocers, but
it does seem much harder to locate now. For a while I was able to
buy it directly from a specialty pharmacy supply close to the local
hospital, but they have since closed. Now I have a local pharmacist
order it for me, a few bottles at a time. At Revere we used kerosene
for a lubricant but personally I still prefer wintergreen oil.
Visitors to my studio often comment on the aroma if I have a tin of
it open on my bench.
Michael David Sturlin