Mainspring lubrication.

Hello All, I’ve been using the light/medium Keystone mainspring oil for long time and it works great for me. Doesn’t take much, I just put a couple drops on my (non-powder) latex glove and rub a very thin layer onto the spring. The price isn’t bad either. Good stuff.

Jim

I like Keystone also. Good grease and great price. I still use Slick 50 most of the time as I had seen some comparison tests somewhere online that resulted in Slick 50 out performing Keystone. Will try to locate it and post the link up here. One thing that Arutha pointed out in a previous post though about Slick 50 possibly contaminating cleaning solution has me wondering if Slick 50 is the best choice. Would like to test it with some clean solution to see what happens.
Also Paul…if you’re having trouble locating the spray then you can always use the regular liquid additive. This is what I used for a long time before going to the spray. I think it’s the same stuff. Just easier to apply a thin coat with the spray.
We discussed Keystone a little in a previous thread last year that some may find useful. Here’s the link: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=84&hilit=keystone

Enjoy!
Bob

Hi Paul,
Yes I’ve read similar articles about Slick 50 and it’s use in automobiles. Many pros and cons. I also don’t use it in my car. The test that I mentioned in my earlier post was carried out by John Hubby. The following link isn’t to the actual test but I know that the test is out there somewhere. In this link he does mention the key points about his test though. Also it was a comparison test between Slick 50, Mobile 1 and Mobius mainspring grease and not Keystone as I had suggested earlier. He does mention that clocks that have been returned for servicing up to 15 years later reveal non-sticking springs.
If you scroll about half way down the page you’ll see John Hubby’s post.
http://mb.nawcc.org/showthread.php?25900-Clock-lubrication-%28Here-we-go-again%29

My feeling is that this stuff has performed very well for me with clock mainsprings. My main concern at this point is what you had pointed out in another post about solution contamination. If this is true then I’m led to wonder what effect the cleaning of a movement in this contaminated solution by some unsuspecting future clocksmith might have on a plate that has had its pivot holes oiled with an underlying film of Slick 50 on it. Would the oil stay put? Might not be a good thing.

Bob

You’re probably right Paul. I’m going to run a quick test on a plate by contaminating a little solution with some Slick 50 (will just add a little to the solution) and will check to see how or if it affects oil in an oil sink. If it stays put then no problem.
Passing along important repair info to future smiths is always a good idea. I used to adhere a small clear shipping pouch to the inside or back of clocks with any info that needed to be passed along written on a piece of paper inside. This way I was pretty sure it would get into the correct hands rather than being forgotten or lost in a drawer somewhere. Have to be careful about where it’s attached as they REALLY stick and might present a problem to a fine finish. If no place can be found then it can usually just be set in the bottom of the case. A simple word of caution could be added to the paper about the Slick 50 and possible solution contamination. Even if it doesn’t cause a problem with the clock it’s a nice gesture for any future smith. That solution is expensive!

Your idea about giving the customer info and photos is excellent! This helps them connect with their clock and with you and is such an easy yet helpful thing to do. It also makes good marketing sense. By doing that little extra the customer will realize that you not only care a great deal about their clock but also about them.
When handing a clock or watch back to a customer (back when I had retail stores) I ALWAYS had a polishing cloth in my hand and would polish the clock or watch while talking history or some other interesting point about their timepiece (even if it was just a battery replacement!) I would often do this for several minutes before allowing them to touch it! When they did finally have it in their hands they would cuddle it like a baby! The pride in their timepiece and my work would pass right over the counter to them.
Just taking that extra couple of minutes helped us get to know each other a little bit better and form a bond between us and their timepiece. It made me feel good about my day and work as I settled back down to the bench and hopefully did the same for them. Your folder idea would certainly do the same!

Bob

Okay guys. I watched bob grease the mainspring in a watch and it was a solid grease. Can you use slick 50 in a watch or does it have to be a certain type of grease? Bill