Is their something better than cork grease for tuning slides

jmiller · Post by **jmiller** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 8:41 pm

I have been using cork grease on the tunning slides of my metal whistles and under the heads of my cheap whistles. The trouble is, it seems to stick tight after awhile making them not so tunable. Is their something that would work better?

Ridseard · Post by **Ridseard** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 8:50 pm

If you don't use it, you lose it. Just move the tuning slide (or head) occasionally, and it shouldn't freeze up. Cork grease is about as good as anything.

livethe question · Post by **livethe question** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 9:31 pm

I use silicone grease. I get it from the plumbing supply area of my local hardware store. It's less than $2 per container.

jim

Chuck_Clark · Post by **Chuck_Clark** » Sat Jul 12, 2003 11:43 pm

Uh, excuse the dumb question, but doesn't greasing the slide make it TOO loose? I never grease any of mine and in all truth I have much more trouble with slides slipping than binding.

brewerpaul · Post by **brewerpaul** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 5:42 am

If they're getting too tight, try cleaning them gently with 4-0 steel wool, then re-greasing LIGHTLY.

chas · Post by **chas** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 8:05 am

I don't use any lubricant on most of my slides. I only use a thick grease on those that are LOOSE. I use Scotchbrite (same thing as Paul's suggestion of steel wool) on the tightest slides. If you want to lubricate a tight slide, use a thinner grease such as Vaseline, or an oil such as mineral or sewing-machine oil. This should keep them fri=om seizing if that's a problem.

PhilO · Post by **PhilO** » Sun Jul 13, 2003 10:04 am

I occasionally scrub down my brass slides with 0000 steel wool and only if necessary and less occasionally a dab of cork grease, vaseline or even chapstick (on cork slides). Never had a problem. Once I had a frozen slide and used vaseline and turning slide to get it working quickly. A new brass Copeland had a tight slide and the vaseline worked great immediately and I never had to use it again.

Philo