O-chem was the deciding factor for my two daughters on their major. I stuck with biology and A&P
More efficient way to clean gears?
- Thread starter Davidasailor26
- Start date
I once walked into a masters Biochem final with a broken leg. The prof didn't recognize me and asked if I had been in class. I said "no." He asked if I really wanted to take the test. I said I'd read the book. It went fine. With a broken leg you have lots of time to study ... and chemistry is intuitive anyway.
You must not be in Washington State. You cannot even buy a 12oz can of R134A anywhere in the state. It was outlawed by our dear state government.
And just because you can do a thing does not make it right to do so. You just told us chemistry is not your thing.
I use brake cleaner and a microfiber towel.
Disassemble, spray parts on the towel, use brake cleaner soaked towel to clean parts, grease and reassemble. I use mercury 2-4-c grease.
Disassemble, spray parts on the towel, use brake cleaner soaked towel to clean parts, grease and reassemble. I use mercury 2-4-c grease.
Put it in a tupperware and let them soak then use a nylon or brass brush. Tip Charcoal Lighter fluid is far less expensive than mineral spirits and is the same as far as degreasing.. I use the expert grill brand from wal*mart. It goes on sale every fall. last fall I picked up nine 64oz bottles for $1.99 each...
Drive to Idaho
here are the facts...
Automotive service technicians depend on Freon™ 134a (R-134a) refrigerant, a non-ozone depleting hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) replacement for R-12. Freon™ 134a is the standard in many mobile air conditioning (AC) units, and also replaces R-12 in:
Oh well...
Jim...
PS : R-22 [most AC's] which is banned in USA and now has a direct replacement too.
Freon™ MO29 (R-422D) Refrigerant | R-22 Replacement
I use disposable mascara brushes to clean the gears after soaking. They are just the right size.
You obviously have not spent much time in Washington. Facts to not matter to our state government. This is not the first time they have done something like this.
here are the facts...
Automotive service technicians depend on Freon™ 134a (R-134a) refrigerant, a non-ozone depleting hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) replacement for R-12. Freon™ 134a is the standard in many mobile air conditioning (AC) units, and also replaces R-12 in:
Oh well...
Jim...
PS : R-22 [most AC's] which is banned in USA and now has a direct replacement too.
Freon™ MO29 (R-422D) Refrigerant | R-22 Replacement
They also banned all bottom paint that has more than 0.5% copper by weight. Then after the paint companies came out with state compliant paints that would control the hard growth on boats in our area, it was found that the new paints that complied with their new law were more harmful to the environment than the old copper paints. A few months before the law was to take affect, they came out and said, "never mind, just keep using the old stuff."
Who'd thunk, 50 replies to a post on cleaning gears! Wow, I never thought twice about it - coffee can and odorless mineral spirits.
I think one problem is that people use too much grease. "Slathering" the gears with grease doesn't create a reservoir for grease in case the grease somehow runs out from the contact surfaces, it only creates a reservoir for dirt! A grease should be specified that stays in place on the bearing surfaces. All you need is the film on those surfaces, if you have the correct grease. Geez, you could even apply it with a paintbrush! Then when you rebuild it's a cinch to remove the old stuff, as it is less of a mess and less dirty. Just my way, I'm sure folks will disagree, but I've never experienced a wear problem this way, and cleaning is easy.
I think one problem is that people use too much grease. "Slathering" the gears with grease doesn't create a reservoir for grease in case the grease somehow runs out from the contact surfaces, it only creates a reservoir for dirt! A grease should be specified that stays in place on the bearing surfaces. All you need is the film on those surfaces, if you have the correct grease. Geez, you could even apply it with a paintbrush! Then when you rebuild it's a cinch to remove the old stuff, as it is less of a mess and less dirty. Just my way, I'm sure folks will disagree, but I've never experienced a wear problem this way, and cleaning is easy.
I am conscious to not overuse the grease, and obviously never get it on the pawls. I put a pea sized amount on a fingertip, touch a gear tooth, then turn the gear letting every few teeth grab a little bit as they pass. It’s not like when I go to clean them they’re swimming in old grease. Maybe I’m just too particular about trying to clean every little bit out when I clean them, or I’m just not soaking long enough to help clean off what’s left.
After 17 years of retirement maybe I have too much time on my hands but I am often looking for something to do for 45 minutes. Especially in the off sailing season.
I’m not sure what make your winches are but the Lewmar Service Manual provides this information. I know I am going around the buoy again on this one; but, honestly 45 minutes to properly service a single winch every 2 or 3 years seems reasonable to me.
Lewmar B2304 Issue 6 Winch Service Manual
“CLEANING All components should be removed and cleaned in a paraffin bath in the course of servicing. If you do not have access to a paraffin bath, use half of an old plastic container with an old toothbrush. Even a cotton cloth soaked in paraffin or white spirit will suffice.
CAUTION Some Lewmar winches contain plastic components which may be damaged by inappropriate cleaning agents. Always check the manufacturer’s directions before using any cleaning agents.
GREASING Never use grease to lubricate your pawls, as this can lead to pawls sticking in their pockets and disabling the winch. Instead, lubricate with a light engine oil. Use only a light smear of winch grease when lubricating ratchet tracks, gear teeth and bearings. Otherwise, excess grease will be forced out and will collect in potentially dangerous areas, such as pawl pockets.”
One should note that paraffin in Europe is kerosene. It would be a poor idea to bathe the winch in US paraffin.
It would be a poor idea to bathe the winch in US paraffin.
And we are back to @Maine Sail 's suggestion to use BBQ lighter fluid.... which is essentially kerosene...
I like circles.
Yep repeats may help some. @rgranger
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_spirit [mineral sprits]
and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_naphtha [Charcoal Lighter]
Jim...
And kerosene is not all that much different from diesel or #2 fuel oil, or mineral spirits or jet fuel. Mineral spirits wins because it stinks the least.
And we are back to @Maine Sail 's suggestion to use BBQ lighter fluid.... which is essentially kerosene...
And we are back to @Maine Sail 's suggestion to use BBQ lighter fluid.... which is essentially kerosene...