[TowerTalk] Sluggish crank-up tower

[Patrick Greenlee]

I read the results of a university test of penetrating fluids.  The top 
performer was a 50-50 mix of acetone and ATF.  This simple cheap brew 
outperformed all the commercial products regardless of price. I have 
since used that mix very successfully on a 25 year old tower assembled 
with 1/2 inch bolts where the X-braces connect to the 4 1/2 inch OD 
steel tube legs.

WD-40 is terrific stuff, especially for what it was originally designed 
but that was not a long term lubricant or a penetrating oil for rusty 
bolts.  Interested?  Google and read to find out that WD stands for 
water displacer and other interesting facts.

Drilling holes to inject grease?  Be very careful to not introduce steel 
shavings into the bearing.

73,

Patrick NJ5G


On 6/21/2014 8:33 AM, Roger (K8RI) on TT wrote:
> On 6/20/2014 6:09 PM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote:
>> On 6/20/2014 9:10 AM, Rick Stealey wrote:
>>
>>> Ok, so my next theory is a pulley is jammed,
>>> Rick  K2XT
>>>
>
> I would choose PB Blaster which works far better than WD40, Has some 
> lubricating properties and is not primarily made of easily and fast 
> evaporating solvents.  I purchase WD40 by the gallon, but for serious 
> work still get PB Blaster in spray cans.  The little tube will put it 
> where you want it. It loosens things WD40 can't touch and leaves a 
> lubricating film.\
> The only drawback is it smells.  It's not an unpleasant smell, but 
> difficult to get out of clothes.
> The name is strange, but Mouse Milk is also far superior to WD40.
> Even a shot of LPS-2 (contains a grease that is left after the 
> solvents evaporate) after using LPS-1 or PB Blaster works well.
>
> In the shop I use water soluble cutting fluids along with PB Blaster
>
> It's just WD40 is the most common and what the DIY groups use, but 
> there are many compounds that work far better without the advertizing.
>
> 73
>
> Roger (K8RI)
>
>>
>> The pulley bearings do freeze up regardless of
>> anything the mfr. says.  Spray with WD40 until
>> you can spin them by hand then apply lubricating
>> oil.  Inspect all pulley's as part of a general
>> refurbishing.
>>
>> Rick N6RK
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