How to lubricate with graphite and a drill.

[atlasbuster]

I need to know the best way to lubricate your wheels/axles with graphite. My son's pack/district only allows dry lubricants so forget telling me to use oil. This is my fifth year working with my son on his cars and have had good results. I have heard that the best way is to lube then spin the wheel and let the wheel stop ten times. Then repeat this process two more times. Then check for spin times (20 seconds minimum--what is a good spin time for graphite?). My problem is that there has to be a way to spin the wheels so that the axle and wheel don't spin out of your hand if you spin too hard. crash. bang. boom. bad for the wheel and axle!! What are your thoughts/experiences with putting the axle/wheel in a hand drill and using the above process? Is it a bad idea? Any other ideas or suggestions on using graphite would be appreciated.

[Parrot Racing]

As long as you spin it with your finger and use the drill just to hold the axle, then the only harm I can see is the hub spinning against the drill chuck. M ake sure you don't chuck it too close to the wheel and don't ruin a nicely polished axle. Hope this helps.

Enrico-Parrot Racing

[Sappington R]

I agree with Enrico and would also add not to spin to fast or you may heat up the plastic. A few other options:

1. Treadmill & fishing line at 8mph (I read on a post somewhere that 8mph is about max speed on a track)

2. Dremel Method: Fill the hub with graphite, insert axle, spin a few times- then place a spinning dremel brush against the outer wheel, while holding the axle between your thumb and index finger, the high RPM's will spin the wheel. Your fingers will protect the hub. Hold the dremel brush against it for a few seconds, let go, then time with a stop watch. I've always tried to beat 30 seconds. I think my record was close to 1 minute.

3. Put graphite on a pipe cleaner and use the hub polishing tool with a drill, spin at medium RPM's, while working the wheel back and forth.

I think there are a lot of ways to get it done- bottom line is that you want axle wheel set that is lubed well and spins for a long time. Hope I've helped.

[DerbyDoc.com]

Mount a 3" long pipe cleaner in your drill. Dip it in the graphite that your gonna use and spin it inside the wheel bore. Spin it for about 5 seconds at a time and do it 2 or 3 times. If you want, Spin the pipe cleaner in the same direction that the wheel spins on each axle. Insert the pipe cleaner from the outside of the wheels for one side, and from the inside of the wheel for the other side of the car.That way your polishing the bore in the same direction that it turns on the axle. I do mine that way. Also, use the pro hub tool with 1500 grit paper to polish the hubs. Sprinkle a little graphite on the sandpaper and work it into the hub. It'll look like a mirror.

[atlasbuster]

sappingtonr said:

I agree with Enrico and would also add not to spin to fast or you may heat up the plastic. A few other options:

1. Treadmill & fishing line at 8mph (I read on a post somewhere that 8mph is about max speed on a track)

2. Dremel Method: Fill the hub with graphite, insert axle, spin a few times- then place a spinning dremel brush against the outer wheel, while holding the axle between your thumb and index finger, the high RPM's will spin the wheel. Your fingers will protect the hub. Hold the dremel brush against it for a few seconds, let go, then time with a stop watch. I've always tried to beat 30 seconds. I think my record was close to 1 minute.

3. Put graphite on a pipe cleaner and use the hub polishing tool with a drill, spin at medium RPM's, while working the wheel back and forth.

I think there are a lot of ways to get it done- bottom line is that you want axle wheel set that is lubed well and spins for a long time. Hope I've helped.

Hey Sappingtonr,
What does a dremel brush attachment look like? Is it a typical big box hardware store item? Thanks to everyone for the advice by the way.
Atlasbuster