lube help

[coorslight]

hey all need some help here. What type of lube should I use for the bearings on a 4 1/2" Missile Command Trackball? Thanks 

[quarterback]

hey all need some help here. What type of lube should I use for the bearings on a 4 1/2" Missile Command Trackball? Thanks

[coorslight]

i used heavy duty wheel bearing grease and it works OK but I think it might be to thick.

[Trimoor]

Don't use grease, it creates too much friction.  Use 3 in 1 oil or a silicone based lubricant.

[NoOne=NBA=]

I'd second the 3-in-1 oil.

There's a specialty lube, similar to it, that the ops swear by; but I can't remember the name, and it's not readily available.

[coorslight]

cool thanks for the info (Now I know and Knowing is half the Battle). I guess I will be taking apart that track ball again tommarrow and cleaning out those bearings. Duh!!!!

[DrewKaree]

I'd bet something teflon-based would work darn well.

Hey, look on the bright side, at least you didn't throw KY in there

[Ken Layton]

The sticker that was originally on the roll ball assembly when it was new recommended using only "3 in 1 oil" for lubrication. Only a couple of drops on each bearing is all it takes.

[JCL]

hey all need some help here. What type of lube should I use for the bearings on a 4 1/2" Missile Command Trackball? Thanks

[Franco]

Yeah WD-40 isnt a lubricant.

As far as i know the WD stands for water displacement (??)

Aparently the 40 is due to the amount of different formula attempts it took the manufactures to get the composition right,

Could be a load of bull but im sure I read it somewhere (so yeah, it is probably bull!) 

[JB]

Yeah WD-40 isnt a lubricant.

As far as i know the WD stands for water displacement (??)

Aparently the 40 is due to the amount of different formula attempts it took the manufactures to get the composition right,

Could be a load of bull but im sure I read it somewhere (so yeah, it is probably bull!) 

That's right. And is even on the manufacturer's website.
...
Along with their official "perfect tool for everything" sales pitch.

[Stingray]

...at least you didn't throw KY in there

Drat, you beat me to that one.

-S

[DrewKaree]

...at least you didn't throw KY in there

Drat, you beat me to that one.

-S

errrmmmm, Stingray, that comment's wrong on SO many levels  

[quarterback]

people warn against using WD40 and recommend 3-in-1.

People warn against using WD-40 as a lubricant ... because it isn't really a lubricant.

WD-40 isn't really bad, but it is misapplied much of the time.

And people use it as a lubricant because it's advertised as such.

[coorslight]

Funny thing is I have the bearings sitting in WD-40 to clean out all the grease works great for that but for lube think I'm going to go with the 3-in-1 recommend by most. Thanks again.

PS Homer Sexual Huuuuuu ohhhhh babe in the words of Homer
" I like my stake raw, my beer cold, and my ---daisies--- flaming."

[JCL]

people warn against using WD40 and recommend 3-in-1.

People warn against using WD-40 as a lubricant ... because it isn't really a lubricant.

WD-40 isn't really bad, but it is misapplied much of the time.

And people use it as a lubricant because it's advertised as such.

[quarterback]

I don't know if you are recommending WD-40 for this application or just pointing out why

[DrewKaree]

Wait,  I'm confused now.  Are you saying that you SHOULDN'T be using cream cheese as a deodorant?  I've found Philly's flavored versions actually work quite well, although they haven't really come up with a masculine flavor...errrr...scent.

This is getting WAY too informative a thread, and you guys are starting to push out some important stuff from my learning center.  If I forget where my house is, there will be hell to pay!

[PixelCloud]

Yeah WD-40 isnt a lubricant.

As far as i know the WD stands for water displacement (??)

Aparently the 40 is due to the amount of different formula attempts it took the manufactures to get the composition right,

Could be a load of bull but im sure I read it somewhere (so yeah, it is probably bull!) 

you are right

[krick]

hey all need some help here. What type of lube should I use...

How about Astro-Glide?
http://www.astroglide.com/


But in all seriousness, WD-40 does have a purpose.

Back in the day when I was a poor teenager, we used to clean and re-grease our skateboard bearings.

[RayB]

I read somewhere that the lube to get is "AeroKroil". Unfortunately it's not easy to get and they won't send free samples to Canada, so I can't vouch for it.

https://secure.cnchost.com/kanolabs.com/termsofsale_kroil.shtml

[DrewKaree]

My dad uses that stuff.

I'm fairly underwhelmed by it.  Seems like a pricey version of numerous cheaper similar items

[The Jerk]

AeroKroil, We use that at work.  Try an industrial supply store that sells to chemical plants or machine shops.  Most people I know call it Crow oil.  Southernified Kroil oil.

[The Jerk]

Maybe you could get a few to chip in and buy the Kroil (55) gal. size - $777.50 ea.

[Xiaou2]

 lol @ krick   

 Anyways... I had these beat up rollerblade bearings that I needed to clean up for use in another project.   They were filled with dirt, rocks,  and heavy grease.   

 I tried soaking them in wd40... but it didnt do much good.
 
 Then I decided to give this stuff a whirl for the hell of it.

 "electronics cleaner"  from Radioshack.   

 The stuff ate the dirt and dissapeared like it was magic!  After letting the stuff soak into the bearings,  Id wait a little, then spinn them like mad.  Repeat... then flip it over and do from the other side.

 After the process... they not only looked like new - but they spun faster and longer than when they were new!

 I then tried them in trackball bearings - with the same results. 

 Its expensive, but it dosnt take much, and its well worth it.