7 replies to this topic

[rmorein]

My Mizar Kaiser has a 4", apparently chrome plated spur gear and brass worm.  I say apparently, because it is a very shiny silver, but I don't know how one would manufacture a chrome-plated gear. The gear is not enclosed, so I have the combination of concerns:

 

A grease with ideal lubrication properties might tend to accumulate dirt that is hard to clean.

 

A thin, or high tech lube might mitigate this.

 

A particular grease is optimal for a particular metallurgy. For example, teflon greases are suboptimal for aluminum. Some bronze bearings are best lubed with sulfur-containing greases, which form a thin, slippery layer with the copper.

 

I'm thinking of Permatex Superlube, which goes on thin and allows dislodging of dirt. This is a compound grease which contains teflon and conventional greases.

 

Expert advice is requested.

 

 

[Airship]

I use Mobil One synthetic grease on all of my scopes. These are usually ester based greases, though I'm not sure about any additives. I really need to take a peek at it while I still have access to a GC-MS.

[Russell Smith]

I use super lube on any vintage mount I am redoing.

[mountman]

 

A grease with ideal lubrication properties might tend to accumulate dirt that is hard to clean.

In a conversation with Ed Byers long ago he said (and I paraphrase as I recollect now) "The great thing about a worm and gear is that they are self cleaning"  Admittedly, this was said in conversation about the merits of a direct drive roller against a right ascension drive ring and the need for brushes to constantly keep the roller and ring clean.  However, it stuck with me.  The worm is always "cleaning" the gear of dirt.  So, unless you are concerned about build up of dirt elsewhere that the grease may migrate to, I feel that this is not a deal breaker concern regarding the grease that you use.

 

A  number of years ago, I completely rebuilt an AP 800.  I contacted AP for a recommendation regarding the grease and they ( actually he whose name escapes me right now ) recommended Aeroshell 33MS for everything.  Which I did use and was quite happy with it.  I've used it on several other scopes and been equally happy.

 

Having said this, I do have a fondness for Super Lube.......
 

[Jethro7]

Hello Morein,

I use food grade SuperLube with PTFE. SuperLube has a temperature range from -45° to 450° 

https://www.amazon.c...0DER&gQT=0&th=1

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

[Kefka1138]

I've had good results using Krytox GPL205 with my equipment. Just make sure that all surface areas are thoroughly stripped of old grease using an appropriate solvent, as Krytox doesn't mix well with petroleum-based grease.

[photiost]

I use super lube on any vintage mount I am redoing.

Super Lube here as well, it has Teflon (PTFE) works great  

[deSitter]

Keep in mind these are not motors with constantly stressed bearings and surfaces. You need very little lubrication on the gears themselves. I use SuperLube.

 

-drl