Ballistol and other lubricants

[Joe And Penny Goss]

RE: Ballistol and other lubricantsHi Gregor,
It takes about two years but Ballistol will gum Hammond oil longer, but due to evaporation will thicken as well.
. Perhaps I should not have used the discriptive word gum <g> Ballistol becomes more like jello and you know what old jello is like.
Joe Goss RPT
Mother Goose Tools
imatunr at srvinet.com
www.mothergoosetools.com
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Gregor _ 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 2:48 AM
  Subject: RE: Ballistol and other lubricants


  I am not shure that any oil will gum. What´s about that Hammond organ oil? People have problems when they use "normal" oil from the household for a Hammond, but that Hammond oil works. And I think that Ballistol does not gum, I never had problems and used it for 20 years. Perhaps German Ballistol is another oil than American? Don´t take Neo-Ballistol, that´s another thing with fregances. But I don´t use Ballistol for center pins anymore because I tried that Protec CLP and I must admit that I am thrilled. It just works much better and quicker. So, no reason to use Ballistol.

  In some postings I read that Ballistol is good for leather key bushings. I am in doubt that it is good in the long run because it´s an oil. I argue that it hardens the oil, even when it works fine in the first time. I have an old Förster upright with leather key bushings in my shop. These bushings make noise, even when most of them seem still thick enough. I assume that someone applied oil on the balance pins. Perhaps it was Ballistol? No idea. Usualy I use talkum powder for leather bushings.

  @ David: 

  yes, I had a dropper too that leaked in my toolcase. But that was a cheaper one. That aluminium dropper is very stable but expensive. On the other hand: with expensive tools you get angy only in the moment of buying. With cheap tools you get angry every time you use them. The link I sent (to the dropper) is a very special German webshop. They sell only things where you can get replacement parts of. They have a printed catalogue which won many prices. It´s a nice literatur for long winter evenings as they provide you with many informations about the materials used and the proper use of the things they sell. You allways find interesting things, for example this telescope magnet that could be used to grip fallen screws between soundboard and plate in uprights:
  http://www.manufactum.de/Produkt/172574/757114/Taschenteleskopmagnet.html
  Or this beer brewing device for your kitchen:
  http://www.manufactum.de/Produkt/172094/1410389/BierbrauanlagemitKuehler20L.html
  Come home from a long tuning day and get a cold selfmade beer. Hmmm, fine!


  Gregor


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  From: imatunr at srvinet.com
  To: ilvey at sbcglobal.net; pianotech at ptg.org
  Subject: Re: Ballistol and other lubricants
  Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 16:20:32 -0600


  Simply saw green and stopped using any Ballistol on centerpins.

  Use Ballistol on high friction points Trap works, hanger brackets, anything leather, etc.
  When Ballistol dries it becomes more and more like a gum.  Any oil will.
  Any thinner oil will cut a thicker oil product. 
  When getting ready to wash up for dinner, after working on an old grimmey combine,
  we would first use motor oil to clean our hands, wiping off our hands on a gunny sack then 
  head to the wash basin ( outside, as we wrer so dirty ) and wash up for dinner.
  The thing that I try to do is limit the ammount of residual that will be left. 
  This is done by using the thinnest mixture possible.
  Joe Goss RPT
  Mother Goose Tools
  imatunr at srvinet.com
  www.mothergoosetools.com
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: David Ilvedson 
    To: pianotech at ptg.org 
    Sent: Friday, July 04, 2008 3:45 PM
    Subject: RE: Ballistol and other lubricants


    I didn't like that dropper as it leaked in my kit.   Maybe your's is better made?   Looks like German made...
    For generations ballistol was a good choice for centers.   Protek and Goose Juice are better...imho   How is it, that Joe Goss had problems with Goose Juice +?   Maybe Joe can fill us in on it again...at this time, he's not selling Ballistol as a center lubricant...

    David Ilvedson, RPT
    Pacifica, CA 94044




----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Original message
    From: "Gregor _"  
    To: pianotech at ptg.org
    Received: 7/4/2008 3:39:52 AM
    Subject: Ballistol and other lubricants


    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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