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Old May 30th 18, 04:45 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
jfitch
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Posts: 1,134
Default Good lubricant for assembly

On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 10:03:52 PM UTC-7, Jonathan St. Cloud wrote:
Hi Jon, might I ask what you use for pin lube?

On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 2:39:59 PM UTC-7, jfitch wrote:
On Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 1:03:41 PM UTC-7, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
Agreed.
Vaseline is better than dry or old lube.
Cheap and easy to get.
Easy to use.

If assembling for a season, maybe something better.
Keep in mind, very limited movement so lube quality is less of an issue.
Yes, some may say the "wings will fall off" if you use the wrong lube.. In this case, not likely.


I can't agree with the "anything" specification. The main pins do not move, but the lift and drag pins clearly do work in flight, with considerable pressure on them. Any glider a few years old will show signs of wear, galling, or Brinelling on those pins. From this is seems to me that something with some extreme pressure ingredients is desirable.


I use Lubriplate "Special Marine Grease":

https://www.lubriplate.com/Online-St...-14oz-Can.html

https://www.lubriplate.com/PDFs/PDS/...to-Marine.aspx

It is lithium based EP grease that does not contain MolyD, which Schleicher specifically recommends against. (That is probably due to a fear of MolyD and brass corrosion, which is theoretically possible but grease vendors will tell you is not a problem with a properly formulated grease.) It it near white colored and comes in a small 16 oz tub.

Something with MolyD would be ideal, in that it has very good EP anti wear and galling properties, but in this case I stuck with the Schleicher recommendation. I'm not claiming this grease is better than some other choices. But it is temperature stable, light colored, has EP additives, and will not wash off.