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Author Topic: Cleaning & Relubricating floating hub reels John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 10-13-2003 08:24 AM                        Avoid using lubricants that may get oil or particles (graphite) onto the film.  |  IP: Logged Erick Akers Arse Kicker Posts: 201 From: Dallas, TX, USA Registered: May 2001 posted 10-13-2003 05:42 PM                     That was exactly why posed the question. What I found after breaking them down was a film like grease, but it is a dryer substence with a white color similar to lithium grease that has been discolored slightly grey by the aluminum hubs. What ever they used has a real tendency to dry out over time. I rejected using oil, graphite and any petrolium based grease for the exact reasons mentioned by John P. and I was considering a silicon type lubricant. From what I can see, the lubricant that was used never made it past the hub, and I'm sure that friction could possibaly make some lubricants liquify and run beyond them. From using silicon dry lubes in the past, they tend to ball up as they dry when used in a moving rotation situation and I am unsure of the abrasiveness of silicon. Any more thoughts?  |  IP: Logged System Notices Forum Watchdog / Soup Nazi Posts: 215 Registered: Apr 2004 posted 02-27-2010 01:20 PM                 It has been 2328 days since the last post.  |  IP: Logged Jim Bedford Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 597 From: Telluride, CO, USA (733 mi. WNW of Rockwall, TX but it seems much, much longer) Registered: Jun 99 posted 02-27-2010 01:20 PM                        I've searched but can't find the exact answer I need, although Tim Reed's comments come close. The floating flanges on our floating hub 5K and 6K reels are getting gunked up in the tracks on the hub. The reels are riveted and can not be easily taken apart. How do I get the gunk out and then what do I lubricate them with when they are clean that will reduce the chances of them gunking up again? Tim's suggestions leaves out how to extract all the dirt in the tracks. Is there a way (high pressure spray of air or something, spin the gunk out, etc.) to really clean the tracks and the flanges where they fit into the tracks, or is this the best that can be done?  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 02-27-2010 03:41 PM                     You can get a reel-repair-kit from any Goldberg dealer and I think Wolk still offers their "sav-a-reel" screw on rivots. Thus, you can drill out the rivets...pull the whole thing apart, clean, lubricate and put it back together. Once you have the screw on rivets, you can clean them when ever you want. Also, you may find the core needs to be changed, particularly if it is a 5/16" keyed type...they always wear out...particularly on larger reels. As for a lubricant that won't get gunked up...I don't know of any. Steve  |  IP: Logged John Hawkinson Film God Posts: 2273 From: Cambridge, MA, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 02-27-2010 03:42 PM                     I can't speak to floating hub reels in particular, but the standard approach to such mechanical systems is to flood them with a volatile solvent and let that pull out the dirt and grime, and then follow it with enough lubricant to get the solvent out. Using compressed air can dramatically help this process along. In this case, I would probably start with WD40 as a solvent. If that wasn't good enough, you could use kerosene. But if you do, make sure you follow it with enough light oil to get the kerosene out of the way and restore real lubrication (this also applies with WD40, but it's not quite so critical). You might also follow the light oil with grease (or, if you Zirc fittings for grease injection, just start off with grease). If you're really stuck getting the gunk out, and if there is sufficient access to insert compressed air, you can also clean with a degreaser like Simple Green, and then flush with water, and then follow with air to get the water out. This is probably the most effective approach (because you can flood with a LOT of water), but you need to make sure you can adequately get the water out (again, compressed air is generally sufficient). --jhawk (who PM'd several ball-bearing casters this way yesterday)  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 02-27-2010 05:11 PM                        I really wish my floating hub reels would seize permanently. I wish they were mine to trade for solid hub reels, but alas they are not. Is there any way for me to expedite the seizing process? Floating hub reels shouldn't even be allowed in platter booths unless the print was transferred that way from a changeover theater.  |  IP: Logged Chris Slycord Film God Posts: 2986 From: 청주시, 경북도, South Korea Registered: Mar 2007 posted 02-27-2010 05:22 PM                     Wouldn't there be a way to take it apart like mentioned above then weld the pieces together? Granted, this assumes you have access to welding gear.  |  IP: Logged Ian Parfrey Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1049 From: Imbil Australia 26 deg 27' 42.66" S 152 deg 42' 23.40" E Registered: Feb 2009 posted 02-27-2010 05:38 PM                     quote: Joe Redifer Is there any way for me to expedite the seizing process? 14 lb. sledge works wonders. As for lubrication, one drop of kerosene ONLY. The kero can be used to flush out the gunk and after removing, one drop will lubricate the flanges. Kero is used in the metal trade for lubricating cutting tools when working on aluminium. It sounds weird, but it works and works well.  |  IP: Logged John Hawkinson Film God Posts: 2273 From: Cambridge, MA, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 02-27-2010 10:57 PM                     Kerosene evaporates and leaves a very very thin coat. I'd seriously question leaving it for any mechanical system -- you'd have to relubricate fairly frequently for it to persist, I think. Of course, if you clean with kerosene and let evaporate, then you could follow with dry lube (graphite). --jhawk  |  IP: Logged

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