[Heathkit] Lubricants

[Glen Zook]

A very good lubricant to use is musician's "valve oil".  This is the lubricant that is used for the valves on trumpets, cornets, French horns, etc.  Back in elementary school (starting in the 2nd grade) through high school I played the cornet and used valve oil often.  Then my middle daughter played my same cornet in middle school about 25 years ago.  I still have a bottle of valve oil left over from her playing and it is still good.

Valve oil does not "gum up", attract dirt, etc.  I just did a "google" on valve oil and found it selling for prices between 99 cents and 5 dollars.  Therefore, it is not expensive.  Now there are only a few ounces in the bottle but that is not a problem.  It takes a very small amount to lubricate and the lubrication lasts a long time.

My wife collects clocks and one of her wall clocks stopped working.  Before even thinking of having it redone by a clock maker I removed the clockworks and took a good look.  Then, I used valve oil on certain bearings and the clock started working again.  It is still running fine.

Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com