Mellotronists

On the subject of cleaning a balky roller - would electrical contact
cleaner harm the rubber? I do use it for things other than pots and
switches as it is a decently aggressive cleaner and dries quite quickly
and completely.

Also, wouldn't dry graphite powder lubricant work well if worked into
the axle? No chance of drippy mistakes....

Vance

-----Original Message-----
 Thanks Ken.  I was looking at your web page and it's fantastic;
I really appreciate the info.

What I was wondering is if anyone had a SPECIFIC type of lubricant
i.e. use Hammond Tone Generator oil, or go to AutoZone and get
Valvoline XYZ oil, etc.  I'd like to get going on this since I
can't rework the heavy keyboard action with stiff rollers presumably.
But there are so many potential candidates I'm hesitant to just pick
any one at Home Depot or whatever.


--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, Ken Leonard <ken@k...> wrote:
> 
> >does anyone have a recommendation for a specific kind of lubricant
> >for rollers that don't spin as smoothly (to be purchased in USA),
> >and perhaps a short procedure for the process they use?
> 
> At one of the 'tronto Symposia we used (gulp!) some kind of light 
oil 
> similar to Hammond oil (I forget what it was---it was Martin's).  
You work 
> it onto the axle as best you can, and it works OK, but it kills the 
sleeve 
> around the axle a bit more quickly than it would ordinarily---but 
who 
> cares, the pinch roller wasn't working well anyway!
> 
> I don't know if something else, like a graphite or silicon-based 
lubricant, 
> would be better (just watch any propellant if it's the squirt stuff-
-I 
> don't know what the sleeve material would find intolerable and just 
wind up 
> melting).
> 
> Then there's the Merbler Flick for those stubborn pinch rollers.  
From my 
> "Tronecdotes" page:
> 
> - Wobblies:  The unintentional variation in speed as a Mellotron 
plays a 
> tape.  Results in an uneven sound.  Cure involves getting 
Mellotronist's 
> Hunchback.  If that doesn't work, you may need to perform a 
procedure known 
> as the Merbler Flick as part of freeing up a pinch roller that has 
become 
> stiff.  If the pinch roller won't turn properly (has become stiff 
around 
> the axle), douse (or submerge) the unit in alcohol for a while, 
especially 
> around the axle.  When you remove the pinch roller assembly from 
its bath, 
> place a suitable finger on the pinch roller and give it a flick.  
Think of 
> it like your middle finger resting on your thumb as you snap your 
> fingers---that kind of press and flick, only very hard.  Repeat 
until the 
> pinch roller is rolling freely.  Yes, this does work.
> 
> 
> Ken Merbler came up with that one.  I've seen it work.  I wonder if 
you can 
> use Windex or 409 instead of the alcohol.  It would be better on 
the roller 
> material.
> 
> Fortunately I think new pinch rollers are going to be produced 
soon, if not 
> already.  Check with our Fine Mellotron Part Providers.
> 
> ...kl...
> M400 #805 - been oiled
> M400 #1037 - been flicked
> 
> ** Ken Leonard - Web Table of Contents:  http://www.kleonard.com
> ** Get Outdoors New England:  http://www.GONewEngland.org
> ** Ever hear of the Constitution?  These guys have:  
http://www.lp.org






 
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