Oil for the screws / bolts?

[Richard Groff]

Any suggestions for what kind of oil I should use to stop the squeek when I tighten my heads? The guy at Sam Ash suggested WD40 which isn't even oil, so I know not to ask there again! :;):

[GuruPimpi]

Hello Richard!

Usually you get the oil with a new drum, but if you don't have any, you can order it in music shop. BTW: my friend used his mamma sewing machine oil, I think any oil for small household machines will be ok. It shouldn't be too thick. I never tried WD 40, I don't like sprays...

Hope it helps!

Pimpi

[Richard Groff]

Hello Richard!

Usually you get the oil with a new drum, but if you don't have any, you can order it in music shop. BTW: my friend used his mamma sewing machine oil, I think any oil for small household machines will be ok. It shouldn't be too thick. I never tried WD 40, I don't like sprays...

Hope it helps!

Pimpi

Great! That's just what I thought. I figured that if the oil is sold in small bottles, has a Pearl or Toca label on it and comes from a drum shop, its about 1500% marked up from buying some gear oil at a home depot. I just didn't know if there is something "special" I should be using.

BTW, WD40 isn't oil at all. Its a water dispersant (that's the "WD" part of the WD-40). That means it will actually push the oil out and cause your gears, lugs, etc to dry out faster than doing nothing at all. It also attracts dust even more than oil, which causes increased friction and wear on just about anything it touches.

Also, I did a search on the Pearl drums forum and found a respected poster recommended a little bit of white lithium grease from an auto parts store. Its used to pack bearings and is cheap.

[Raymond]

Personally, I use WD-40. Is less messy that the oils companies include with the bongos or any other messy grease. (Believe me, I 've tried them all).

When I change heads, I normally do a little "maintenance' to the lugs and nuts. I put a cup with a little of WD-40 and put the lugs and nuts in there for awhile. (Sometimes, I spray them also and wipe them off of all the black stuff that gets accumulated on them). After the "bath" of WD-40, I wipe them off again pretty good and put them back. Beware that the "greasy" feeling will remain in them for awhile so be careful when you go and gig, you don't get your hands and/or pants greasy... Also, I damp the cloth with some WD 40 and use the cloth with the lugs and nuts before "installing them back".

WD-40 will take care of the "squeaks", clean, etc. Is great!

The "grease" is great but is messy... WD 40 cleans the lugs and nuts of all the build up something grease does not do.

Saludos!



Edited By Raymond on 1113825502