On Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:53:10 -0800, JS wrote:

A little WD40 along the screw and the whole thing runs smoothly.

Be careful where you use that stuff. It doesn't cause problems with that
machinery of that size and weight, but can be a nuisance on small
precision items. The problem is that it dries out and becomes sticky
enough to cause problems. The only real cure is disassembly and cleaning.

If WD40 gets into instruments or a baro it could cause real problems.
I know this from model flying: the timers we use on free flight power
models get covered in oil and then pick up grit if you're flying in dusty
places. This stops them working, so a common flying field trick is to
give the timer a good squirt with WD40 to blow the grit out before the
next flight. That solves the problem - until the next competition day, by
which time the WD40 has dried out and prevents the timer from running.
The solution on the field? More WD40, but it does build up through the
season until it gets cleaned out as part of the winter overhaul.

This isn't a a major problem provided you know about it. Now you do: so
consider yourselves warned.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
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