Give grease the slip

[pmrid (Peter)]

I recently found myself with a Celestron CG5 mount that was seriously stiff and effectively unusable. So I decided to do a full strip and rebuild a la Astroboy.com - a very good resource. While I was at it I decided that I migt as well do over my Meade LXD-75 mount which, shock,horror, is virtually identical in its mechanical arrangements, sizes, designs.
So I had them both stripped down and ready for the application of silicon and lithium greases in their various parts. But it seemed to me that in flushing out the thick claggy grease that was in them and replacing it with these newer greases was, in many ways, falling into the same trap. I went looking for an alternative that was a good surface lubricant but was not claggy and prone to gunk up. The answer I have found was off the sheeps back. Lanolin. I used liquid lanolin although it is also available in a grease form. Just a light coat by brush and themounts slipped back together like the proverbial glove. I am delighted by what I've seen so far., I have stuck with grease in the worm mechanism but elsewhere, including in the bearings in the RA axes, lanolin was a superb alternative. Stronly recommend it.
Peter

[DavidU (Dave)]

Great idea. It's freezing point is approx -10C

[Outbackmanyep]

I have found that TETRA gun lube is good as well, it is PTFE based.

[mercedes_sl1970]

I've used the grease version of lanolin in repairing binoculars - works well.

Andrew

[bojan]

I also tried this stuff (lanotec grease, 10$ a kilo), it smells like sheep (plus a hint of peppermint) and the only problem is temperature, it becomes very hard around 10° and below).
I think that for our purposes, synthetic greases with PTFE are better.
Also, lithium -based greases (green stuff, used for car bearings) is excellent.
But the best may be graphite-based grease (black in appearance) .. I used it a long time ago when living in Europe and it was absolutely perfect, over very wide temperature range. I do not know where to find this stuff here in Oz, though..

[PeterO]

I use the black graphite based at work in extreme environments, its very good never goes hard but messy. can be got at engineering supply firms such as Blackwoods etc.

Peter

[Spanrz (Brett)]

Originally Posted by PeterO

I use the black graphite based at work in extreme environments, its very good never goes hard but messy. can be got at engineering supply firms such as Blackwoods etc.

Peter

I use a similar item at work. It's a spray on moly (called Dry Film Lubricant).
I swear by it. Use it a lot at work. A few coats and bob's your uncle.
Does not attract dirt/dust etc when dried, takes about 30 sec's to dry, when applied.
What Bojan says, I think is the way to go, graphite or moly looks the goods.

There is also a grease which I recommend, it has to contain moly though, (molybdenum disulfide), usually about 5%.

The below link, it's not a plug, just showing you what it looks like and what to look for. If you think you want to stay with grease.
http://www.cat.com/cda/files/1386254...f?m=293115&x=7

Another alternative for you.