Ballistol and other lubricants

[Kent Swafford]

By coincidence, a tech here in Kansas City recently recommended this  
same oiler to me. I wish the reservoir was a bit bigger, but it  
appears to be a fine device. Available at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KKHNU0



Kent Swafford



On Jul 4, 2008, at 5:39 AM, Gregor _ wrote:

> Using Ballistol as lubricant for action center pins is okay. I have  
> no idea about its ingredients but the reason why nearly all German  
> piano techs use it since generations is that it does not gum after a  
> while. Most of my German collegues use a tool like this for applying  
> only one drop of it:
>
> http://www.manufactum.de/Produkt/0/753674/TropfenoelerAluminium.html?suchbegriff=%F6ler
>
> One year ago, me too I used it for center pins, but in the meantime  
> I use only Protec CLP anymore. I have 2 of these oilers  in my  
> toolcase, one with Protec and one with Ballistol. Ballistol (and now  
> Protec) are the only one lubricants which are accepted here in  
> Germany for center pins. With one exception: your own hair grease  
> (not kidding). When replacing a ceter pin, I pull the new pin  
> through my hair which makes the pin getting "lubricated". And no, I  
> am not the hippie type with greasy long hair.
>
> Compairing Ballistol with Protec I must admit that Protec just works  
> much better. But I never had problems with Ballistol.
>
> Concerning ballance rail and front rail pins: most German techs use  
> deer tallow /stag fat because it´s supposed not to gum, too. I rub a  
> very small portion of it between thumb and index finger and apply  
> only a very very thin layer on the pins. But never do it when the  
> bushings are made of leather. Never apply any liquid or any grease  
> on leather. But here too, there is one exception: you may use "nose  
> fat" (and again: not kidding): sometimes the leather of the hammer  
> butt is too harsh so that the jack comes not back easy enough. Some  
> grease could help, but as mentioned: never apply grease on leather  
> in pianos. So here comes the trick: rub your index finger left or  
> right from your nose. You will feel that this part of your face is a  
> little greasier than other parts. Then rub your finger on the hammer  
> butt leather. And no, I am not the teenage type like these teenagers  
> from Kentucky Fried Movie where teenage faces are used to get oil  
> from.
>
> Gregor
>
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