[ARC5] [Milsurplus] Anti-Backlash Gears

[Mike Hanz]

On 1/25/2012 10:36 AM, J. Forster wrote:
> In my experience, anti-backlash gears should not be lubed at all. The
> tooth area is OK with a little light grease, but the area between the
> gears should be chean and dry.
>
> What does the manual say?

The manual is most likely silent on it, John.  The main reason I like to 
put a thin coat of light Teflon grease on such mating surfaces is 
precisely because of your other suggestion - putting it on the gear 
teeth alone is a good idea but it doesn't stay there - it eventually 
works down into the (originally clean) gap between the gears and 
eventually gums up the process because it brings with it dirt and brass 
swarf from wear.  A thin film retards that migration because it has to 
push against an already established barrier.  YMMV, but I've seen the 
same technique used for larger, higher speed assemblies driven by 
servos, so it made sense to me.  Probably overkill for the construction 
and very low rpm application that we use in tuning, but what are we 
about if not Principle Number 8 - enthusiastic, overly-excessive 
attention to infinitesimal detail whose effect will probably never be 
noticeable in our own lifetimes? :-)   I'd buy the no lubricant 
whatsoever approach, but those gears are not usually precision cut with 
hobs, so mis-match between engaged teeth does generate brass dust over 
time.  Frankly, a more compelling reason to dismantle and clean is 
arguably to lube the sleeve bearings for the tuning shafts...they bind 
up more rapidly than the split gears, IIRC.

But in the final analysis, doing nothing at all is probably an option, 
too...until Principle Number 8 raises its ugly head...heh, heh...

73,
Mike