I live in a fairly dry area and the o-rings on the GRS quick change adapters get dry and make it difficult to insert and remove from the handpiece. Botht the adapters and handpiece are clean. Would a light lithium grease be suitable for lubricating the o-rings? I know it won't have any adverse affects on the o-ring itself. I don't want it to affect the handpiece operation.

Kevin Monahan
7/7/2006 10:56:38 PM

Way back when I was scuba diving, the instructors always told us never to use anything but a silicone based grease on our equipment "O" rings. I've kept on doing it to this day... works fine on the GRS quick change "O" rings - just a tiny bit will last months. It does tend attract grit though, so keep your holders/gravers in a rack.

(Nose grease will work too, and it's always handy:)

Brian

Brian Marshall
7/8/2006 12:08:22 AM

Brian,

Thanks for the info. As you know "it's a dry heat" here in the San Joaquin Valley (I'm at the South end in "Bako"). I just started engraving in March so the lube on the o-rings was what came on them from the factory. I'll get some silicone gease.

Thanks.



Kevin Monahan
7/8/2006 1:01:17 AM

Like Brian said, the silicone base grease was the "norm" for o-rings to as petroleum based lube would break down the o-rings. I think most are made of synthetic rubber now and doesn't matter as much for a non-critical o-ring like the quick change ones. The key is to KEEP THEM LUBED! If they get get dry, the tool will act "sticky". I tend to use whatever is handy around my bench to lube them as I have a lot of replacement o-rings (but never had to replace them yet). I think GRS suggests a certain type of lube but whatever you use, make sure they have something on them. You want them to slip in and out easily. Keep them clean as well. Lube will pick up dirt and cause them to stick as well. If you feel the tool isn't cutting right, check to see if it will slip in and out easily. If they stick, it won't seat right and won't allow the "hammer" part of the tool to work properly.

Rex Pedersen
7/8/2006 8:34:06 AM

I checked the documentation that came with the handpiece and it does not address lubricating the o-ring. It does mention that the handpiece does not need to be lubricated. Thanks Rex.



Kevin Monahan
7/8/2006 10:11:43 AM

Brian.you're a man after my own heart..I've been using nose lube for as long as I can remember. It's cheap, really handy as it is easy to find . Also I seem to have no problem applying just the right amount. I figure if it's good enough for a fine Briar Pipe, then it should be no problem for an O ring.

Martin Rabeno
7/8/2006 10:46:46 AM