machine head lubricant

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mark indigo

Posts: 3625
Joined: Dec. 5 2007

machine head lubricant

I was told years ago to regularly oil machine heads (the cog wheel bits) to prevent excessive wear, and used a drop of 3-in-1 on each when i changed strings.

A little while ago i read somewhere that this kind of oil "attracts" dust, which increases wear, that a thick grease type of lubricant should be used, and that Vaseline would be ideal.

I did try a search on this as I expect it has been thrashed out before, but can anyone tell me which is it, thick grease Vaseline or light all purpose 3-in-1 oil?

Or is there something else I should use?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 26 2010 1:33:28

akatune

Posts: 188
Joined: Mar. 28 2008

RE: machine head lubricant (in reply to mark indigo)

Silicon spray. Cans come with a tiny straw for tight/small spaces.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 26 2010 2:37:20

keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: machine head lubricant (in reply to mark indigo)

there are 3 possible lubricants one can use that will not attract dust (or at least the attraction will be minimal). graphite from a pencil, du pont teflon lubricant or a gun lubricant. the first two are readily available--a pencil is ubiquitious, du pont teflon can be found at many hardware stores. for gun lubricants you will need to go on-line or to a gun store. the du pont teflon lubricant would be a good choice as the lubricant is good for many things around the house so having to spritz your tuners every so often would not require a separate purchase.

are you sure about lubing the gears for every string change? i would suspect it would be once to twice a year.

silicon spray is also handy. one good thing about it is that you can spray the car hoses to reduce oxidation from uv and door rubber stripping in the winter time to minimize sleet freezing the car door shut. do not use an oil base lubricant as it will eat away the rubber over time. of course those living in temperate climates do not have to worry about this.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 26 2010 3:29:52

akatune

Posts: 188
Joined: Mar. 28 2008

RE: machine head lubricant (in reply to keith)

Gun lubricant collects dust, has a strong odor and it runs. I would not trust it on wood. (I have guns).
Silicon is friendly on metal, wood and leather, etc... If it runs a bit, I would feel safer.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 26 2010 5:10:09

mark indigo

Posts: 3625
Joined: Dec. 5 2007

RE: machine head lubricant (in reply to keith)

quote:

du pont teflon lubricant

thanks, will look out for it

quote:

are you sure about lubing the gears for every string change?

No! Not sure at all!

Thing is, the only way i could remember to do it at all was to attach it to some kind of routine like string change. There was no way i would remember to do it twice a year as I wouldn't be able to remember when i last did it!

quote:

Silicon is friendly on metal, wood and leather,

is that the du pont teflon lubricant?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 26 2010 13:31:04

mark indigo

Posts: 3625
Joined: Dec. 5 2007

RE: machine head lubricant (in reply to mark indigo)

is this stuff ok? found it at http://www.cyclesuk.com/336-447467

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 26 2010 13:46:08

Jeff Highland

Posts: 401
Joined: Mar. 5 2010
From: Caves Beach Australia

RE: machine head lubricant (in reply to mark indigo)

I don't let silicon anywhere near a guitar.
If you ever need to do any finish touchup it is bad news.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 26 2010 13:46:35

jshelton5040

Posts: 1500
Joined: Jan. 17 2005

RE: machine head lubricant (in reply to Jeff Highland)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeff Highland

I don't let silicon anywhere near a guitar.
If you ever need to do any finish touchup it is bad news.

Jeff is right. By the way, why are you worrying about lubricating machine heads? If they fit and are installed correctly even a cheap set will last for many years. There is no need for lubrication, it's not like gears in an engine that rotate millions of times. Better to keep any lubricants away from your guitar.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 26 2010 15:34:52

akatune

Posts: 188
Joined: Mar. 28 2008

RE: machine head lubricant (in reply to mark indigo)

The silicone is fie IF YOU KEEP IT AWAY FROM THE FINISH. Get a good silicone and use the tube and experiment with spraying only a tad. Or spray it onto a Q-tip and brush it onto the gears so its only on th emetal. You only need to appy it once. Stuff lasts a long time.

But these days I use pegs...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 26 2010 16:10:45

HemeolaMan

Posts: 1514
Joined: Jul. 13 2007
From: Chicago

RE: machine head lubricant (in reply to mark indigo)

what I would do is just clean em out when it comes time. i use 3 in 1 on everything. a light coat will do. maybe buy some graphite powder and mix with the oil to help get it in there.

mostly, I just wouldn't worry too much about dust and dirt. just clean ur sh*t lol

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 26 2010 20:10:01

krichards

Posts: 597
Joined: Jan. 14 2007
From: York, England

RE: machine head lubricant (in reply to mark indigo)

There is something called 'Guitar Grease' from Stewmac which seems to be a graphite/grease mixture. Its hard and works well. You only need to use it once and that should last for years.

But a pencil is best of all: no hassle, no cost and the most effective imo

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Kevin Richards

http://www.facebook.com/#!/kevin.richards.1048554

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 26 2010 23:20:25