Double Bass 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]

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..

 

[bucephylus]

Zombie thread; I know...

But, just checking; is transmission fluid still the best stuff for the tuning gears?

Thanks!

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

What? No. #10 machine oil, also called sewing machine oil.

 

[David Potts]

Vaseline on gears, applied with cotton bud followed by working the gears a bit before wiping off any excess.

Graphite or soft lead pencil (same as graphite) applied to holes in wood after taking out machine pegs. The powder can be applied and smeared with your little finger or a cotton bud. Lead pencil just draws on the wood.Definitely only dry lubricant, not grease or oil. Soft lead pencil also works well in the nut and bridge grooves.

Soap is often used to make drawers slide open/closed easily and might be OK. I have not heard of using wax.

 

[misterbadger]

I shy away from using grease on anything that's open to the air and likely to attract dirt and gunk, so a bit of powdered graphite does the trick for me.

 

[bucephylus]

An interesting variation in responses.

Thanks!

 

[bucephylus]

Has anybody tried PTFE dry lubricant powder?

Or, maybe, this stuff:
https://amazon.com/Finish-Line-Bicy...qid=1506633448&sr=1-2&keywords=dry+chain+lube

 

[robobass]

I've never found teflon lubricants to be worth anything. Stick with light machine oil.

 

[Don Kasper]

I own a can of this stuff - I have no idea why...It's a Mystery.

 

[robobass]

Don,
That stuff is great! improves mileage, power, and engine life by 40%. Never tried it myself, but that's what I hear.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Don,
That stuff is great! improves mileage, power, and engine life by 40%. Never tried it myself, but that's what I hear.

Also babe magnet effect

 

[misterbadger]

And, if used to lubricate tuning machines, improves tuning stability and intonation 40% while reducing fingerboard wear.

 

[bucephylus]

You cats are brutal. I'm just trying to get the gears to smooth out a bit. Sheesh.

 

[Matthew Tucker]

The bit you really need to lubricate is where the shaft of the tuning handle runs through the "saddle" especially on the handle side. This is where most of the pressure is put. It would be nice if you could put a thrust washer right at the end, but its rarely possible without removing the handle. The cog gear and worm don't actually need much lube at all; there is supposed to be resistance here, that's how a worm and gear works. in fact if you lube it too much, the gear can slip, and I have video to prove it!



I use light machine oil, WD40, graphite ... whatever i can get in there. I don't use vaseline, too sticky IMO and collects dust.

I use a soap paste to lube where the shafts of the tuners run through the pegbox. It dries, but stays slippery.

 

[jmlee]

This stuff is terrific. No danger whatsoever to finish and provides excellent lubrication.