The general rule for lubricating an Edison is "lubricate any two metal parts that move against each other!" The gears should have a bit of grease and the bearings oiled. The backrod and straightedge should have an oil film. The feedscrew should have an oil film. All of the motor gear bearings should be oiled. This includes the governor bearings and yoke pads. etceteras...
The weight of the horn can cause problems. A heavy horn will cause extra friction on the backrod and straightedge. Any horn larger than the 14" witches hat needs a crane. Excessive pressure on the half-nut will eat motor power. A spring in need of lubrication will result in the loss of motor power. Dried spring lubricant will cause loss of power and even 'knocking' when the spring is unwinding. If the machine is a Home or Triumph with a 2/4 minute feedscrew having a planetary gear, it must have lubrication on all bearing surfaces and gears. Any rust or corrosion on the backrod or straightedge will be a source of friction. Previous posts have covered this well. Oddly, while Edison recommended 3in1 oil, I have found that this oil hardens with age and becomes a problem. I used the finest sewing machine oil until the better more modern oils were introduced. Those recommended in previous posts are superior. That's my 2 cents worth... May all your finds be rare ones... Al _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.org
