[GreenKeys] Lubricating a 15 printer

[Richard Knoppow]

    As a sort of side note, one of my great frustrations is 
getting authentic information on lubricants. People recommend all 
sorts of exotic stuff but there is little reliable information on 
what they really do. A prime example is the lubrication 
instructions for Compur shutters. These were found on many deluxe 
quality cameras. They are not really difficult to work on but the 
factory instructions specify at least four different lubricants, 
all by German trade names of perhaps fifty years ago. And, BTW, 
the last set of instructions reccommened running the shutters dry 
! have encountered the same problem for many other pieces of 
equipment. Makes you wonder. For instance, will a modern 
synthetic grease, like Mobile One (is this the sticky red stuff 
mentioned?) serve in most applications requiring fairly heavy 
grease? How about "turbine oil" which I understand is just highly 
refined (what does that mean) oil. How about modern synthetic 
watch oil. In the distant past whale oil was used, or porpoise 
jaw oil. There is now silicone oil sold for similar purposes. 
Supposed to not jell or move around. Extremely light oil for use 
on jeweled bearings, etc. Nye used to sell the synthetic stuff. 
Probably not useful on TT machines but would be nice to know.
    There are now all sorts of synthetic oils  for cars, 
supposedly they do not oxidize or change as much with heat. Along 
the same line oils with detergents, made mostly for cars, are not 
supposed to be good for general lubrication, well I want some 
definite, authentic information. Same with multi-grade oils, 
which have additives to control the viscosity. Supposedly not so 
good for general lubrication, why?  Of course, there is also 
extreme pressure grease and even more pressure resistant grease 
(lost the name for it) for auto differentials, which have 
additives to prevent the grease from being squeezed out of the 
gears. Again, not suitable for general lubrication.
    I picked all this up from lots of general reading. I have 
seen very technical literature on lubricants but am lost, they 
require too much specialized knowledge. This leaves out vegetable 
oils like castor oil, once (and maybe still) the stand by for 
racing cars. Has this any place against modern synthetics? I have 
no idea where to find out.

On 7/20/2021 2:07 PM, John, W9DDD wrote:
> Is there a better set of instructions than what I find in 
> bulletin 138B?  The instructions there are rather terse 
> compared to 28 lubrication instructions.
>
> And the places that call for oil, grease, oil.  I kind of think 
> that's designed to get a thinner lubricant than just plain 
> grease.  Or is there another explanation.
>
> I'm doubtful that doing the O-G-O operation with Red "N "Tacky 
> will get the desired result.
>
> Any recommendations?  Is the Army TM for the 15 better for lub 
> instructions?
>
>

-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL