Grease Your Klusons!

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ChicknPickn

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This little bugger - - the Astro Pneumatic 101 - - has a tiny tip that fits right into that weeny little hole on your vintage tuners. You can actually put some real grease in 'em. Available from your favorite (or least favorite) online mega-retailer. I could finally shoot some high-quality bike lube into those gears.

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Peegoo

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I use a little refillable plastic syringe. Not as classy as that, but cheap, cheerful, and equally effective. I guarantee none of my clients will "ooh" and "ahh" at the plastic syrings, however.

I'm surprised Stooge Mac hasn't ordered in several thousand of those, stamped their name on 'em, and marked 'em up $60.
 

arlum

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Um ...... I worry so much about my strings staying in tune that I would be afraid to lube the mechanism responsible for keeping them there. I've never had a problem with my vintage tuners, (my Eric Johnson Strat for example). What issues would require this treatment?
 

ChicknPickn

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Um ...... I worry so much about my strings staying in tune that I would be afraid to lube the mechanism responsible for keeping them there. I've never had a problem with my vintage tuners, (my Eric Johnson Strat for example). What issues would require this treatment?
They CAN get very stiff. I suspect oxidation plays into that. Or the OEM lube that has hardened. And they can be stiff enough that you can twist off the button.
 

frisco slim

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Um ...... I worry so much about my strings staying in tune that I would be afraid to lube the mechanism responsible for keeping them there. I've never had a problem with my vintage tuners, (my Eric Johnson Strat for example). What issues would require this treatment?
Lubrication is not going to cause worm gear tuners to slip. Lubrication will make the tuners turn more smoothly, reducing "stiction," the phenomenon where friction allows tension to build up and then suddenly release.
 

ChicknPickn

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What kind of grease do you use for Kluson tuners?
I'm a cyclist and keep Parktools HPG-1 grease around all the time. So that's what I use. It's a waterproof grease that's formulated not to dry out - - at least, not anytime soon. Any grease suitable for bearings should be fine, but if it's too thick, it will be hard to push through an applicator with a small opening, such as a syringe. HPG-1 flows pretty easily.
 
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ChicknPickn

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So do you use graphite powder or some kind of oil? I have stuff I use on guns, and also Triflow (with teflon). And does it harm the nitro?
I use the grease mentioned above. It's a light green grease, and only a tiny bit is needed on the worm gear. After I spin the tuners a bit, I just lift the excess off with a swab. Everything stays shiny, no unsightly globs of anything, and it stays put, which is what in my opinion makes it a better solution than light oil or graphite. I can't tell you whether it's safe on nitro, but if you apply only a tiny bit and wipe off any excess, I can't see where there's much potential (if any) for harm.
 
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Happy Enchilada

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I'm a cyclist and keep Parktools HPG-1 grease around all the time. So that's what I use. It's a waterproof grease that's formulated not to dry out - - at least, not anytime soon. Any grease suitable for bearings should be fine, but if it's too thick, it will be hard to push through an applicator with a small opening, such as a syringe. HGP-1 flows pretty easily.
Found it @ Amazon. Thanks! I have a half dozen guitars with open gear tuners and this should be a good idea.
 

Peegoo

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On open-back tuners I use Militec-1. It's gun stuff that's designed for dirty environments; it lubes and corrosion proofs but does not attract dust and dirt. We used this stuff when I was working as a contractor, and it is the shiz.

 

sloppychops

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I'm a cyclist and keep Parktools HPG-1 grease around all the time. So that's what I use. It's a waterproof grease that's formulated not to dry out - - at least, not anytime soon. Any grease suitable for bearings should be fine, but if it's too thick, it will be hard to push through an applicator with a small opening, such as a syringe. HPG-1 flows pretty easily.
Thanks. Looks like a tube of that is about $16. Wondering if basic white lithium grease is a good option. That goes for about $6 a tube. I use it on seat posts and miscellaneous bolts on bicycles.
 
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