Ross, Nice work. I have the same skillset and tools, albeit somewhat smaller (pocket watches are my thing). What are you using for a cleaning solution?
The stamped gears in an R-390(A) deserve >sparing< amounts of lubrication for best results, in my opinion. The highly- accurate hob-cut gears in a low-force machine like a timepiece don’t need it. The LeCoultre Atmos clock, in particular, will not run if it is lubricated like a normal clock. Best regards Mahlon - N4ZK (who still hasn’t updated his mailing list subscription to [email protected]) On Sat, Feb 14, 2026 at 11:00 AM <[email protected]> wrote: > Send R-390 mailing list submissions to > [email protected] > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390 > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > [email protected] > > You can reach the person managing the list at > [email protected] > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of R-390 digest..." > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: R-390 (Non-A) RF Gears Cleaning (ROSS HOCHSTRASSER) > 2. Re: R-390 (Non-A) RF Gears Cleaning (Jim Whartenby) > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: ROSS HOCHSTRASSER <[email protected]> > To: Jim Whartenby <[email protected]>, Jim Whartenby via R-390 < > [email protected]> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:23:42 -0500 (EST) > Subject: Re: [R-390] R-390 (Non-A) RF Gears Cleaning > Hi all, My approach may be be a bit different as I have been in the clock > repair business for over 40 years. I did this R-390 restoration over ten > years ago. when I see gears, I was taught to disassemble everything that > can be disassembled and CLEAN it. I have lots of pictures that I can send > to anyone who wants to see them. Here are two showing the level of > disassembly I was able to achieve. The results are pretty and pretty > successful mechanically. As someone has already mentioned, WD-40 is NOT a > lubricant, although it can be useful de-gunking things before disassembly > as long as it can be completely rinsed out. I use a heated ultrasonic > cleaner with an ammoniated solution, water rinse and heat drying. If there > is any interest, I can be contacted via email here or directly , my email > address is good on QRZ 73 W1EKG > > On 02/12/2026 2:27 PM EST Jim Whartenby via R-390 <[email protected]> > wrote: > > > > > > All of these comments seem to be about what works best for the > individual who is responding. It is all opinion based of which one is as > valid as another. I bought the WD-40 in a gallon container. At the time, > this was the cheapest all purpose solvent at Lowes some 15 years ago. I > still have half of that gallon remaining after cleaning three R-390A > receiver gear trains. > > > > I checked the gallon Naphtha back panel, it says to not use it as a > general purpose cleaner. As mentioned already, brake cleaner is quite > harsh. I am sure that none of these products are healthy but it seems that > WD-40 is the most versatile. Perhaps WD-40 does not do all things very > well but it seems to be good enough for my purposes. It along with a > detergent gets the job done. > > > > Enclosed is an analysis of what is in WD-40. It seems to be mostly > white spirits #1 aka mineral spirits #1 with other additives to act as > light lubricants such as mineral oil. Since I use several solvents in my > cleaning process, I don't feel that I am leaving any one as a residue that > may harm the geartrain. The smell does not bother me as I use it only when > I'm outside. I am pleased with the results as I am sure that the other > solvents already mentioned work as well for those who mentioned them. > > Regards, > > Jim > > Logic: Method used to arrive at the wrong conclusion, with confidence. > Murphy > > > > On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 08:44:22 PM CST, Spence Barton > via R-390 <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > I totally agree with this. First I can't stand the smell of WD-40. Some > > say it's got kerosene in it and some other stuff. Kerosene isn't my > > first choice for a cleaning solvent anyway. I definitely don't need or > > want the other stuff in it. Naphtha (white gas) is fabulous. It's a > > great solvent for grease. Won't affect most paints or decals. Cleans up > > great. Doesn't cost much. > > > > On 2/11/2026 2:43 PM, Barry wrote: > > > I'm not a fan of WD-40 for cleaning. It really wasn't it's purpose. > I like naphtha for a grease and oil cleaner followed by synthetic oil > judiciously where needed. > > > > > > Barry - N4BUQ > > ______________________________________________________________ > > R-390 mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390 > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > ______________________________________________________________ > > R-390 mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390 > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Jim Whartenby <[email protected]> > To: Jim Whartenby via R-390 <[email protected]> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2026 16:15:00 +0000 (UTC) > Subject: Re: [R-390] R-390 (Non-A) RF Gears Cleaning > RossGreat! Someone who is familiar with both R-390s and clocks!From what > I have read concerning lubrication of clockworks, one does not lube gears, > only pivot points.IIRC, the R-390/URR manual says that it is better to not > lube then to over lube.Comments?Regards,Jim > Logic: Method used to arrive at the wrong conclusion, with confidence. > Murphy > > On Friday, February 13, 2026 at 11:23:48 PM CST, ROSS HOCHSTRASSER < > [email protected]> wrote: > > Hi all, My approach may be be a bit different as I have been in the clock > repair business for over 40 years. I did this R-390 restoration over ten > years ago. when I see gears, I was taught to disassemble everything that > can be disassembled and CLEAN it. I have lots of pictures that I can send > to anyone who wants to see them. Here are two showing the level of > disassembly I was able to achieve. The results are pretty and pretty > successful mechanically. As someone has already mentioned, WD-40 is NOT a > lubricant, although it can be useful de-gunking things before disassembly > as long as it can be completely rinsed out. I use a heated ultrasonic > cleaner with an ammoniated solution, water rinse and heat drying. If there > is any interest, I can be contacted via email here or directly , my email > address is good on QRZ 73 W1EKG > > On 02/12/2026 2:27 PM EST Jim Whartenby via R-390 <[email protected]> > wrote: > > > > > > All of these comments seem to be about what works best for the > individual who is responding. It is all opinion based of which one is as > valid as another. I bought the WD-40 in a gallon container. At the time, > this was the cheapest all purpose solvent at Lowes some 15 years ago. I > still have half of that gallon remaining after cleaning three R-390A > receiver gear trains. > > > > I checked the gallon Naphtha back panel, it says to not use it as a > general purpose cleaner. As mentioned already, brake cleaner is quite > harsh. I am sure that none of these products are healthy but it seems that > WD-40 is the most versatile. Perhaps WD-40 does not do all things very > well but it seems to be good enough for my purposes. It along with a > detergent gets the job done. > > > > Enclosed is an analysis of what is in WD-40. It seems to be mostly > white spirits #1 aka mineral spirits #1 with other additives to act as > light lubricants such as mineral oil. Since I use several solvents in my > cleaning process, I don't feel that I am leaving any one as a residue that > may harm the geartrain. The smell does not bother me as I use it only when > I'm outside. I am pleased with the results as I am sure that the other > solvents already mentioned work as well for those who mentioned them. > > Regards, > > Jim > > Logic: Method used to arrive at the wrong conclusion, with confidence. > Murphy > > > > On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 08:44:22 PM CST, Spence Barton via > R-390 <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > I totally agree with this. First I can't stand the smell of WD-40. Some > > say it's got kerosene in it and some other stuff. Kerosene isn't my > > first choice for a cleaning solvent anyway. I definitely don't need or > > want the other stuff in it. Naphtha (white gas) is fabulous. It's a > > great solvent for grease. Won't affect most paints or decals. Cleans up > > great. Doesn't cost much. > > > > On 2/11/2026 2:43 PM, Barry wrote: > > > I'm not a fan of WD-40 for cleaning. It really wasn't it's purpose. > I like naphtha for a grease and oil cleaner followed by synthetic oil > judiciously where needed. > > > > > > Barry - N4BUQ > > ______________________________________________________________ > > R-390 mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390 > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > ______________________________________________________________ > > R-390 mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390 > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > _______________________________________________ > R-390 mailing list > [email protected] > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390 > ______________________________________________________________ R-390 mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390 Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
