Classical guitar tuner lucricant?

mity88

So, ive got a classical with dry gears, i usualy use machine oil(from my moms sewing machine) but after reading some threads on delcamp im not sure if liquid(oil) or solid(vaseline) is better?
What do ya think?

mity88

Thanks zohn,
Never heard of using beeswax before,where can i get some?
Do you use graphite on the gears?ive always used it for the rollers...

mity88

Cool,ill have a look for it...

AlanRatcliffe

+1 on beeswax for the post holes and to protect the screw holes from oil. However, tuning machines are not designed to be lubricated (unless they have solid polymer 'lubrication' built in, like many of the Gotohs) - if they need lubrication, they need replacing.

Oils are the worst thing you can use as not only do they attract dust, but they penetrate the wood of the headstock and can cause tuner screw threads to strip (or worse in extreme cases).

aja

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: +1 on beeswax for the post holes and to protect the screw holes from oil. However, tuning machines are not designed to be lubricated (unless they have solid polymer 'lubrication' built in, like many of the Gotohs) - if they need lubrication, they need replacing.

Oils are the worst thing you can use as not only do they attract dust, but they penetrate the wood of the headstock and can cause tuner screw threads to strip (or worse in extreme cases).

My gran used to put sunflower cooking oil on everything. Every six months my dad and I would spend a whole day taking apart every mechanical thing in the house, cleaning it, reassembling it and then tell her to use proper lubricating oil, not cooking oil, only to go back in six months time again.....

DonovanB

aja wrote: My gran used to put sunflower cooking oil on everything. Every six months my dad and I would spend a whole day taking apart every mechanical thing in the house, cleaning it, reassembling it and then tell her to use proper lubricating oil, not cooking oil, only to go back in six months time again.....

Strictly speaking, oil is oil. The viscosity and additives that are in the oil make the difference.

You get so many types of natural and refined oil it is frightening.

AlanRatcliffe

Donovan Banks wrote: Strictly speaking, oil is oil.

Well, yeah... obviously... ? But the different oils have a wide range of properties, any of which can make an oil completely unsuitable for a task. Some may remember my foaming at the mouth over silicon oils used in polishes. ? Try some tung oil next time you need to top up your car and find out for yourself (No, don't!).

DonovanB

ha ha, I spent way too much time working for Oil companies.

It is an interesting field if you like that sort of thing. ???
They make an edible oil for use in food manufacture machines in case of leakage. There is a biodegradable* grease used for mining drills.

I used to make a grease that had so much graphite in it when I had finished putting the graphite in the mixing vessel I was pitch black from head to toe, despite any protective gear. Even after showering I still looked like I had emo eyeliner on.

mity88

I didnt know they didnt need lubricating,i always just did coz, well,its a gear,and metal on metal needs lube right?
However,on the rollers,i do think something is needed otherwise you get squeaky tuning...ill try the beeswax from now on

AlanRatcliffe

I didnt know they didnt need lubricating

Not if they are well made. It's not like they are spinning at high RPMs

metal on metal needs lube right?

Most metalheads would deny that allegation outright ?