Questions tagged [lubrication]
63 questions
118
votes
17 answers
When should I not use WD-40?
Looks like WD-40 can be used for lubricating just about any metal parts.
Are there non-obvious cases where using WD-40 will be harmful to the stuff lubricated?
sharptooth
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What happens if I use vegetable oil instead of machine oil or grease?
It's kind of tempting to use vegetable oil for lubricating door hinges and other similar basic mechanisms around the house - vegetable oil is readily available in almost any household. However I always hear it's a bad idea, but could never find any…
sharptooth
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23
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Why exactly is WD-40 not a true lubricant?
According to this answer WD-40 is not a true lubricant. I don't get it - even Wikipedia says
The long-term active ingredient is a non-volatile, viscous oil which remains on the surface, providing lubrication and protection from moisture.
which…
sharptooth
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5
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1 answer
What to watch out for when using lithium grease?
I've only used machine oil compounds for lubrication previously, lithium grease is new to me. What do I watch out for?
I mean when using machine oil and similar stuff it should not be applied to plastic because many plastics get dissolved this way.…
sharptooth
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4
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5 answers
What type of lubrication should I use on a squeaky swing set?
There's a bracket around the top tube with a hole in it. A bolt passes through the hole, to hold a doodad that the swing chain can be connected via an S bolt.
When the swing swings, it makes an awful squeak. I was originally thinking of spraying…
Tester101
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3 answers
Understanding household lubricants
There are multiple things around the house that start squeaking over time: door hinges, locks, laptop hinges, car door hinges, furniture hinges, various appliance doors and covers, bike parts and so on. What they have in common is that they require…
Paul92
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Is graphite lubricant safe for metal parts?
I've heard an opinion that using graphite lubricant on door hinges can lead to metal abrasion and damaging the hinges. The idea is that graphite has abrasive properties and thus can damage metal.
Is this true? Should I use graphite lubricant on door…
sharptooth
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Do I need to clean away WD 40 before I add graphite powder to pram wheel bearings?
I've sprayed wheel bearing/axle with WD 40. I now feel I need to add some form of grease (I don't want to remove the bearings-just try and work some grease in there somehow). That's when I spotted my graphite powder and thought that would probably…
Melanie Newman
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What can be that pure white grease used within a coffee mill?
Earlier today I decided it was time to disassemble my Kalita Nice Cut coffee mill and clean it a bit.
I initially removed the 2 huge screws to take out the front part where the burrs are located (that actually mill the beans) and cleaned that.
Then…
Déjà vu
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0
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1 answer
Beeswax for lubricating hinges. How does it compare to other lubricants?
As per title. I've recently discovered the amazing properties of beeswax and its multiplicity of uses from rust prevention, to food preservation, to lubricating/threadlocking wood screws.
https://matteroftrust.org/101-uses-for-beeswax/
It's also…
Brybeck
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