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Best fix for rusty trackball bearings?
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PaulG:
For the new bearings The Real Bob Roberts recommends oiling the bearings with 3-in-one oil.  I just bougt a little bottle of this stuff for 2.00.
Techoverload:
You dont want to use a heavy lubricant like what is used in rollerblades as the bearings in your trackball dont have 100+ pounds of weight on them for inertia if you use any type of heavy lube you will get virtually zero spin time out of your bearings.

3 in 1 is good stuff thats why its been around forever I would use either 3 in 1 or a very lightweight motor oil maybe even cut the motor oil with a very small amount of either gas or rubbing alcohol then soak the bearings for a day or so.......... or better yet if you really want free spinning bearings do what I do..... buy sealed packed bearings...pull the seals of spray them down with wd-40 to get rid of the packing get some cooking oil real real hot in a pan submerge clean bearings in oil for a few minutes remove then imediatley place in your 3 in 1 or motor oil....... the cooking oil causes the bearings to expand which allows some of the cool oil to soak into the bearing.......... let the bearings sit in the oil for a day then remove them clean them off and spin them in a high speed drill for a couple mins each then reapply a small amount of oil............end result..... super high speed bearings which are rust resistant and shouldnt need to be oiled again for at least a million miles or so :)


BTW my father owns a tool repaire facility and I grew up learning the "tricks"  the big thing with the heat part is being able to heat it evenly..... heat oiling is how they make oil inpregnated metal used in true expensive high speed bearings....... one of the reasons the new spinner rims for cars cost so much is because the bearings they use are ultra expensive
NoOne=NBA=:
Do you suppose there's a REASON that EVERYONE recommends 3-in-1 oil.

Old, or not, the stuff WORKS--that's why it's still around.

If you have to have the new, hi-tech version of it, go buy some Dura-Lube.

It's hi-tech, silicone-impregnated 3-in-1 oil.
Stingray:

--- Quote ---Old, or not, the stuff WORKS--that's why it's still around.
--- End quote ---

My thoughts exactly. Just because it's been around forever doesn't mean there's something wrong with it. 3 in 1 oil is one of the handiest things you can have around the shop.

-S
XtraSmiley:
Well it's not that I don't want to use 3-in 1 b/c it's old, it's b/c I have to reopen my TBs and reapply it EVERY three months! (as called for by all manuels).  I'm just looking for longer lasting stuff that I can spray in without opening everything up.  I bought some all silicone Prestone lube in a tube.  I'm not sure if all silicone will work and prevent rust.  Anythoughts?
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