Twist Transmission torque

[Ironwood]

I am using up some old twist transmissions/mechanisms in some kit less type pens that I make. They are stiff to turn, which seems to be the grease in them gone hard.
I have sprayed some WD40 into one of them to dissolve the grease, and blown out with compressed air. Now the feel of the twist is very light and easy to turn, but rough and notchy. I put a few drops of some tacky oil (chainsaw bar lube ) in and used compressed air to push it in, it feels quite nice now, but I am wondering if I should get a new can of the White Lithium Spray Grease, and try that ( my can is empty )
My main worry is, will this affect how long the trans/mechanism will last, I charge good money for these pens and don't want them wearing out in a years time.

I remember in a thread a few years ago there was talk of washing the grease out and oiling, just wondering if anyone is doing this, or has done this in the past , and can comment on how things go with it ?

 

[WriteON]

After cleaning the trans I wonder how well Watch Oil would work. A jeweler told me about it.

 

[Ironwood]

After cleaning the trans I wonder how well Watch Oil would work. A jeweler told me about it.

I just googled "watch oil " , plenty came up, they seem to be a pure silicone oil. Sounds like it is good stuff.

Pure Silicone Watch Oil 10 Centistokes 4ml

Stock up on this useful pure silicone oil, which is used for lubricating fine mechanical components in automatic watches and clock movements.

www.esslinger.com

I don't think I would be able to get any quickly in my area though, would mean getting it posted to me.

 

[MRDucks2]

I bought some pure silicone oil at Home Depot in a can similar to a larger old style 3-in-1 oil can. Was in the same area as the white lithium grease and such


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[WriteON]

I just googled "watch oil " , plenty came up, they seem to be a pure silicone oil. Sounds like it is good stuff.

Pure Silicone Watch Oil 10 Centistokes 4ml

Stock up on this useful pure silicone oil, which is used for lubricating fine mechanical components in automatic watches and clock movements.

www.esslinger.com

I don't think I would be able to get any quickly in my area though, would mean getting it posted to me.

Amazon Prime?

 

[wolf creek knives]

I've had some trouble in the past with "sticky" transmissions. I've soaked them in Acetone for about 5 minutes, blown them out and then added a silicone based lubricant that I get from Napa Auto. Works great and the transmissions are smooth and operate very nicely. I've never received any complaints about them either.

 

[skiprat]

I'm probably in the minority here but I actually prefer a slightly firmer mech over a loose one. As long as it's not lumpy or notchy then to me, it feels a bit more 'quality'. I also think the OEM grease serves another purpose besides lubricating the mech, that is to offer some resistance to the mech retracting while you write with it. Some of the better mechs have a small step at each end of the travel to prevent unwanted retraction but I reckon the original grease has something to do with it too. I find that just working the mech a bit, kind of re-activates the grease if the kit has been sitting in a drawer for a year or so. But once you have got it going, it will take another year of not being used before it goes stiff again.

 

[Ironwood]

I got some silicone spray https://www.kmart.com.au/product/3-in-one-silicone-spray-lubricant---448ml/119516
I cleaned the old grease out of one of the transmissions and gave it a good couple of sprays with this stuff. I love how you can feel the detent that locks it in at the end of the twist, trouble is it feels gritty when twisting, I think it needs something a bit thicker to give it a bit dampening, otherwise it has that "cheap" feel to it.

I have a new batch of transmissions on their way, but I am trying to fill an order for pens and I am down to these last transmissions I found in a packet at the back of a drawer, they may have sat there for 10 years. I tried working one in and out for about a half hour, but it wouldn't free up. Give it a squirt of WD40 and the old grease lets go straight away.
I am wondering if just a small squirt of WD40 to thin and soften the grease might work, I don't want it running out into the pen though.

 

[WriteON]

I got some silicone spray https://www.kmart.com.au/product/3-in-one-silicone-spray-lubricant---448ml/119516
I cleaned the old grease out of one of the transmissions and gave it a good couple of sprays with this stuff. I love how you can feel the detent that locks it in at the end of the twist, trouble is it feels gritty when twisting, I think it needs something a bit thicker to give it a bit dampening, otherwise it has that "cheap" feel to it.

I have a new batch of transmissions on their way, but I am trying to fill an order for pens and I am down to these last transmissions I found in a packet at the back of a drawer, they may have sat there for 10 years. I tried working one in and out for about a half hour, but it wouldn't free up. Give it a squirt of WD40 and the old grease lets go straight away.
I am wondering if just a small squirt of WD40 to thin and soften the grease might work, I don't want it running out into the pen though.

WD works well but I can't stand the odor. It does give off a scent. I would be concerned. If you use WD40 maybe give it a dip or two in isopropyl alcohol. Experiment with a practice piece.