Disk II lubrication

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bond's picture
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Disk II lubrication

Over the last couple of weeks I've been slowly resurrecting my first computer, a //e, along with a couple of //es I picked up as spares from work when they were retired, and which have all been stored in the loft for probably the last 25 years or so.  Having got 2 of the 3 //es working, I'm now planning to turn my attention to the disk drives and I have been thinking about what to use to lubricate the rails and other sliding parts.  

In his AppleBox article on the Disk II SpeedyG recommended the use of synthetic grease rather than oil - would Super Lube synthetic grease be suitable?  

Any other recommendations?

 

Lee Adamson's picture
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I use white lithium grease on

I use white lithium grease on stuff that slides, gears, etc.  On bearings or things that turn in tight holes, I use a drop of silicone lube.  Don't overdo it with either one.  Just a dab is sufficient.  Clean off cruddy old grease with alcohol qtips first.

DDE
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Apple Disk II

Hi, I have several Disk II that I need to service too, but I'm still working on the systems themselves.  However, when I do get around to it I plan on rewatching the videos by ShadowTron Blog, he is one of the best youtubers on vintage stuff.

I think this video may have the info you are looking for:

https://youtu.be/pRk0NkcR2Qk

 

Thanks,

-DDE

bond's picture
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 Many thanks, Lee and DDE

 Many thanks, Lee and DDE.

White Lithium grease on order and while I'm waiting on it to arrive,  plenty to watch on the ShadowTron Blog.

Thanks again!

Stargeezer's picture
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Fun video on Disk II reworks

I just finished a full Apple IIe and Disk II restoration.  I used these two videos on Disk II restoration/repair and general restoration as a helpful guide.

 

Retro Recipes

Chuck Hutchins

Cheers

Mark

bond's picture
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Mark, thanks for the Youtube

Mark, thanks for the Youtube links, I shall add them to my list that I'm workingthrough this week.

Cheers

James

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Be carefull on it.

I also use the white grease and lubed it like the old full height ibm floppy drives. But the one I lubed back in the day used a different mech. to move the head back and forth. Thus I put way to much on the plastic part with the bearing. I had to basicly got back and clean that off to almost nothing. I did leave the stuff on the rails.

 

TTFN,

Josh

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I've used Molykote EM-30L

I've used Molykote EM-30L grease on a lot of different floppy and CD drives over the years.  I think it's some form of a white lithium.  Don't recall where it was recommended to me along the way.  But it says its safe for plastic/plastic, plastic/metal, rubber/metal.  So I've used it to lube the metal ejection points in my IIgs drives, along with the plastic gears when I had to replace the one typically breaks.  I've used it on CD tray mechanisms, CD laser rails, floppy head rails, CD laer worm drives, etc.  And just about any where on other electronics device that needed a little grease on some moving parts.

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