Cleaning Grease from Gears ?

[Marc Hildebrant]

Group,

Is there a general method for cleaning up the gears in the old machines ?

In the clock world, I take all the gears out of the brass plates, clean the pieces, and then assemble. The reason for the gear removal is to get the pivots and bearings clean.

Is the same method of total disassembly needed for phonographs ?

Marc

[gramophoneshane]

Yes

[Marc Hildebrant]

O.K. then,

Would kerosene be a good cleaner ?

Marc

[Curt A]

Kerosene works well, but a little bit less powerful than automotive brake cleaner... Brake cleaner really dissolves all of the old hardened vasoline/graphite mix that was used back in the day that has now hardened into a wax like mess...

[52089]

I like to use orange oil based degreasers for basic cleaning. It dissolves all the grease and oil fairly quickly, smells a lot better than kerosene and has none of the risks. I use the same stuff to clean my hands of grease after I've finished a job.

[JerryVan]

I generally use lacquer thinner.

[JohnM]

Just plain old inexpensive vegetable cooking oil is an excellent solvent for old grease and oil. Besides being effective and inexpensive, it is also non-carcinogenic, non-toxic, and it has no flammable vapors. Why people continue to use petroleum distillates is beyond me.

[Herderz]

Marc, I am new to the phonograph world but am a old clockman. These are spring driven gear trains and I think other than the grease the same rules apply. Big jobs like these I would use whatever works best for you. I use kerosene for something this size because I like to keep flushing the part with clean solvent until I have removed the gunk. I then use my ultrasonic cleaner with 50/50 mix of ammonia / water for the gears like in clock work. I finish off each gear by polishing the pivots with a leather buff stick, and use wooden pegwood to polish the bushings.

[Marc Hildebrant]

Group,

Thanks for the comments.

Marc

[gramophoneshane]

Why people continue to use petroleum distillates is beyond me.

Because they work?

Petrol (which is all I've ever used for over 40 yrs) is cheaper than any of the alternatives, at least it is here in Australia.
Personally I've never worried about it being flammable because it's not like I do it near on open flame or while smoking etc.
I then use the dirty fuel to poison weeds etc.