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Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 01-14-2000, 12:57 AM:
I am about to teach a group of people wishing to be projectionist how to do maintenance on the platters. We have been using a cream colored lubricant for the rollers called LUBRIPLATE. What is the consensus on the best lubricant for this job and how frequently would you pull the rollers and relubricate?------------------
"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 01-14-2000, 03:37 AM:
What type of platter and/or rollers are we talking about here? Some platters have Teflon bushings on the rollers, that should never need any lubrication, other platters and some guidance hardware have rollers with sealed bearings also do not need any lubing. The Potts/Strong rollers with the visible ball bearings sometimes could use a little light oil (projector oil works good for this) every couple of months, but make sure you try to at least clean the bearings ( and the rollers as well since you're there already) of any dirt and old oil or grease, and then go sparingly with the oil, as too much will make quite a mess, and get oil on the film if it drips a lot!...
Aaron
Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-14-2000, 04:49 AM:
Lubriplate is OK at best. Problem is that it can tend to dry up sooner than you'd like it to. If you want everything really smooth and don't want to relube for many years, I suggest going with a synthetic lubricant. I am using "Sta-Lube" High Temp Disc Brake Bearing Grease, which can be found in auto stores. But any synthetic lubricant should do, just as long as it's high temp, etc....
Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 01-14-2000, 09:00 PM:
Hell if I know what platter system it is. This place is so damn old I can't figure it out. Actually it says its a model LP-270 from the Drive In Theater Company. It uses white plastic rollers on metal bolts. They have been using lubriplate on these things but it does dry up fast. I will try the sythetic lube job and see how that goes.------------------
"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"
Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 01-18-2000, 07:22 PM:
Depending on the roller composition, you may need to treat those like nylon pad rollers: no lube at all. They are 'self-lubricating'.Try this on a couple rollers:
Disassemble and clean all the old oil and dirt from the centers of the rollers, and remove all traces of grease/oil from the axles. Reassemble them with no lubrication whatsoever, and make sure the retaining collar, if any, allows the roller to rotate freely.
Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 01-18-2000, 09:37 PM:
>>"Hell if I know what platter system it is. This place is so damn old I can't figure it out. Actually it says its a model LP-270 from the Drive In Theater Company. It uses white plastic rollers on metal bolts. They have been using lubriplate on these things but it does dry up fast. I will try the sythetic lube job and see how that goes."<<If it is indeed the SPECO/DRITMCO LP-270....you shouldn't need ANY lubricant for the rollers! The only concern is the metal shafts to keep them from rusting...a light film of oil can accomplish this.
Just keep em clean and they will perform fine for decades.
Steve
------------------
"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"
Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 01-18-2000, 10:44 PM:
Well that makes complete sense now. No wonder these things are squeeking all to hell. They have been lubed for years from what I understand and that probably collected an enormous amount of dirt which would be making the noise. Appreciate all the help. Be sure I will be voiceing in frequently at least until I can get a handle on all of this stuff.
------------------
"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"
Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 01-19-2000, 06:48 PM:
I use a DROP of 3-in-1 oil on my SPECO LP-270's rollers, IF they need it. Squeaking & rattling is often caused by the little 'donuts' / retaining rings comming loose. It happens occasionally but I usually fix it soon after I notice it. Unless the roller refuses to turn OR it's so loose it might fall off, I don't worry about it much. (Just fix it next time you go by the tool room and grab the allen wrenches and oil.)
Posted by Carl Welles (Member # 59) on 01-20-2000, 12:19 AM:
Remove the rollers from the shafts, use XeKote to clean the shafts off and stick a Qtip through the mounting hole in the rollers with XeKote on it to clean the insides. Then reassemble and all will be fine. If you use oil or lubricant on them you will have to continue using it. If you just clean them real good and run dry they won't be a problem again for a really long time.