2 Jul
2000
2 Jul
'00
11:08 a.m.
Not it's NOT! WD40, as its name implies, is a
Water Displacer. It's not a
penetrating oil really (although it's not too bad at that) and it's not a
degreasing solvent.
You are wrong. Sorry. Check the MSDS, and you will find that WD40 is
mostly Stoddard Solvent. Stoddard Solvent is handy stuff, its primary use
is being a degreasing solvent that is "somewhat" safe to use (unlike
others that are quite aromatic). There is also some propellant in WD40, as
well as a little bit of lubricant. The lubricant does not last long, so it
is at best a very short term solution.
Stoddard Solvent is a petroleum distillate. Its a complex mixture of
various solvents, many of which can be found in what you know
as "degreasers". The mixture is set so that the stuff is not as dangerous
to use as pure kerosene, naptha, etc.. Those are better solvents, but come
with headaches that I do not need.
So go check your facts before you flame me again. I know what I am
talking about, and I am just following the advice of the experts in the
field. I know that WD40 is not much of a lubricant, and
I do realise that proper lubrication is required after a cleansing. I
have rebuild many aircraft dynamotors, many reaching 60 years of age, and
not one has had a bearing failure because of an improper lube job on my
part. I must be doing something correct.
True enough. But why do people persist in wanting to
run machines almost
as soon as they get them? I've never had any problem with taking things
slowly -- taking them apart carefully, cleaning, inspecting, lubricating,
etc. And then, perhaps a month after getting the machine, finally turning
it on.
As I said in another post, my first action was to turn the motor by hand.
I am still doing that to a great extent.
William Donzelli
aw288(a)osfn.org