The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I went to the auto parts store and seems like all of the greases have
lithium in them. Where do you guys order your pure Molybdenum grease
for motor springs? I am getting ready to R and R my thumper-bumper IX.
Thanks!

Check out McMaster-Carr. They have multiple types of molybdenum-disulfide grease (as well as many other types) available. This industrial supply house is a good source of just about anything you can imagine being used in industry. They've also got oddball antique thread sizes in machine bolts and nuts such as those used by Edison:

www.mcmaster.com

Their online catalog is probably the best one I've ever used. Fully cross-refenced and easy to navigate. The best part is that they accept small orders from private individuals to be paid via credit card. You can order online or telephone your order.

What the heck is wrong with a little ltihium in the grease?

Seriously could someone shed some light on the various options for spring lubricant?

Why molybdenum? vaseline? vaseline plus graphite?

Thanks alot.

Molybdenum grease should be easy to find in an auto parts store. I got a grease gun tube of it at Pep Boys. This type of grease is used in CV joints in front-wheel drive cars where extreme forces come into play. I use it in the spring barrels and on all gears on phono motors. It is not a heavy or fibrous grease (the molybdenum does the trick) so you can use it even in governor bearings.

Thanks for the advice guys! I think I will give Pep Boys a shot and see if that works out.