Double Bass Tuning Machine Maintenance..

[prelims222]

Hey all,

I'm curious if someone could tell me some of the finer points of maintaining Tuning Machines? I've got Sloanes on my bass, and I've noticed lots of problems with the worm gears getting stuck or even grinding against the cog.

Oiling the gears, I know. But what about the little nut that sits along the worm gear after the tuning key? It seems like that plays a role in the mechanics of the gear too, but not one that I'm easily understanding. It would be great to know how they function in a more detail.

Thanks!

 

[bpclark]

Don't use oil on the gears. It attracts dust. I was told to lubricate sticky gears with graphite.

 

[prelims222]

Thanks for the reply. I'm not so much concerned about the lubrication of the worm gear or cog as I am the proper alignment/adjustment of them to move at their easiest.

Perhaps it is a question of simply lubricating them, but I'm trying to find out more information on the way the nut that holds the worm gear in place is supposed to be tightened - eg., should it be fully tightened, or is it only supposed to loosely hold the gear in place. What are the mechanical implications behind that little piece of the machine?

 

[Jake deVilliers]

I usually tighten them down snug and then back them off a tiny bit.

I use oil very sparingly on the metal to metal bearing surfaces.

If they get a little dirty in 10 or 20 years its easy enough to take them apart and clean them , but if they are running dry for a long time, they'll just wear out.

Jake