lubricating tuning machines

[Bill Bentgen]

What do y'all use to lubricate your tuning machines where the worm gear meets the cog geart; light grease, 3 in 1 oil, vaseline, graphite, nothing?

How about where the metal peg goes through the wood of the pegbox; graphite?

[Cody Sisk]

Reel Oil (Fishing), Trombone Valve Oil, 3 in 1, anything of the sort is fine, just avoid WD40. Vaseline will attract too much dirt and won't do much to penetrate, avoid it.

As far as the metal-to-wood part, I'd liberally mark the brass with beeswax. You can get it at any sewing store.

FYI, TalkBass peeps like to suggest cat urine for almost any application..

[reedo35]

3 in 1 is what I've always used, some people recommend Graphite, depending on the tuners.

[Bill Bentgen]

Thanks all.

The wife's an oboe play so bees wax is available.

[mje]

The classic oil for small parts under very high loads- like clocks and fishing reels- was sperm whale oil. And the modern equivalent of sperm whale oil is... (wait for it)... automatic transmission fluid. Really. Won't turn gummy. Just use a drop.

[Cody Sisk]

Originally Posted by mje

The classic oil for small parts under very high loads- like clocks and fishing reels- was sperm whale oil. And the modern equivalent of sperm whale oil is... (wait for it)... automatic transmission fluid. Really. Won't turn gummy. Just use a drop.

Oil for sprockets in cars used on sprockets for bass machines.. Seems quite logical. I'll bet that's cheaper than a bottle of 3-in-one..