For years, we ran Lubriplate on the big machines in the bindery that required daily greasing, cam followers, shafts with open bearings, right angle gears driving chains, etc. the place is full of them. My operator was a woman who ran stitchers for 40 years, and I switched her over to Mobile One synthetic, and told her to keep track of replacement of the parts that wear. I had a devil of a time getting all the cans of Lubriplate away from her, but, in the end she ended up with her acid brush in a tube of Mobile One.
We haven’t had to replace any wear items since the switch. I was stunned at how much longer the life of wear items on the machines were.
A lifelong friend who single handily does the maintenance at a commercial print operation that does $65 million in business (no way do I want his job) told me to make the switch. We knew the synthetics had a longer lifespan as lubricants, but, from what I can tell they remain superior during that entire span.
Probably not an apples and oranges comparison, the shop is always 65 degrees, constant humidity, etc, but, the synthetics are far more temperature stable, a factor that would be useful on a competition gun, or, out in the cold.
I’ve been running Mobile One or Mobile 28 on the guns. But, honestly, if you are cleaning them and putting them away lubed, that is likely more important than what you are using.
Don’t use Vaseline. It has zero shear and no EP protection.
Best,
Ted
