Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: warreng on November 09, 2004, 09:54:48 pm
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I have seen posts in the past regarding the Ultimarc trackball and how it doesn't spin as well as the Happ models. I had an idea that I just tried tonight and thought I would share it with you guys.
The sealed bearings that come on the spindles are packed with grease. This grease is very thick and very viscous which creates drag and keeps the ball from spinning. What I did was put a VERY small amount of WD-40 (about a drop) into the bearing. This helped break down the thickness of the grase slightly and lets the spindle spin alot more freely. Now my trackball has a nice spin duration. The only thing to be careful about is to not use too much WD-40. Otherwise it will completely disolve the grease and you will start to feel the "roughness" of the bearings rolling in the races.
Sorry if this seems obvious but I haven't seen it mentioned and thought it might help with some of the complaints that people have had.
-warreng
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I thought WD-40 was like... the worst thing you could use on bearings. I could be thinking about something else entirely, but I think it was WD-40.
I thought a 3-in-1 oil was much better....
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
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I thought WD-40 was like... the worst thing you could use on bearings. I could be thinking about something else entirely, but I think it was WD-40.
I thought a 3-in-1 oil was much better....
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
no, you're right...wd40 tends to gum up after a while. There is so much grease in those bearings though, he'll probably be fine.
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I thought WD-40 was like... the worst thing you could use on bearings. I could be thinking about something else entirely, but I think it was WD-40.
I thought a 3-in-1 oil was much better....
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
no, you're right...wd40 tends to gum up after a while. There is so much grease in those bearings though, he'll probably be fine.
Interesting. I've used WD-40 for lots of things over the years with no problem of gumming. Granted, I've never tried to use it on small bearings like this, but one thing I can say without question is that there is no way that it can ever get worse than the way the bearings were without the WD-40. The bearings were full of what seemed like packing grease (close to the consistancy of Vaseline) that did not allow the ball to spin at all. And before you ask, yes I did spend lots of time trying to "loosen" the bearings by contstantly spinning it for several days.
Hopefully it won't be too much of a problem. Thanks for the input.
-warreng
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Radio Shack sells a product called 'electronic cleaner' or simular.
Its a small white can, and cost like 10$. The stuff is a mirracle.
Its clear, and eats grime, dirt, oils..ect. Afterwords... evaporates with no residue!
Place on top of bearing... let seep in for 20 seconds. Spin arround for 60 seconds very fast. Repeat. Then, flip bearing over, and repeat. The bearing will be free of any crud... and spin like a dream.
Its actually a light lubricant as well.. but if you prefer, then add some 3 in 1 oil after the cleaning.
The cleaner is so amazing, it cleaned some trashed rollerblade bearings to like new status. (Tried wd first, - didnt work on them
very well)
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Xiaou2,
Is this the stuff you're talking about:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=64-4345
Let me know if that is what you used (I have a few old trackballs that need the bearings cleaned and I'll probably be starting that project soon).
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You're better off putting a reaming tool on a power drill and spinning the bearning REALLY fast for awhile. I think bob roberts has a page describing this method somewhere. I did it on my ultimarc trackball and it was more fluid after using a drill on the bearings
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Yes, that is the stuff. Works like a dream.
A power drill will only spin the thing arround and wear the ball bearing and inner races quicker.
Removing the thicker lube with the cleaner and putting in the lighter 3 in 1 is a better solution IMOP.
Not to mention... that after a while, you will still need to do this to remove dust and grime anyways. Unless you plan on buying all new sets frequently - or can stand the roughness.
If the bearings are rusted... you may be better off replacing them. However.... Ive heard "lightning rust remover" works mirracles.