Stiff helical focuser

[Gerald Sargent]

My Pentax 4" f4 Astrograph NDSFII has a 4" diameter helical
focuser that is difficult to turn. It is greased with a grey colored
grease. Whilst one can turn it with one hand at time it requires
two. The grease does not look like the black molybdenum
greases sometimes used on focusers. I would like to thin it
with a drop or two of very thin machine oil but having experienced
waxing of mixed greases in the past am hesitant.
Advice sought as what to do - Gerald.

[gbeal]

Depends on how keen you are Gerald.
The remedies can vary from doing nothing to sending it a Pentax facility.
Me? I'd wait for the moon to be near full, and dismantle it as much as you can. Sluice the complete unit out with something that will thin and dissolve the grease, and leave it to dry. Then re-grease/lube it.
Can't hurt to try it.
Gary