Floppy Drive Grease

[aplmak]

Does anyone happen to know exactly the type of grease they use on the floppy drive on worm drive mechanism (cork screw). I’ve tried a new coat of white lithium grease but a little ends up on the floppy door. There has to be a heavier weight grease they use. It appears to be a light brownish. Here’s a pic of the area I mean. Where the worm cork screw thing with bearings at the end.

 

[Phipli]

I don't know for sure, but it looks like regular lithium grease?

Bit dark in the photo, but sort of an amber when used and not under poor light.

 

[aplmak]

That looks very similar thank you so much

 

[waynestewart]

Molykote

 

[Phipli]

Molykote

But that is white / translucent? At least the one I can find a picture of given it is a brand, not a specific product.

 

[LaPorta]

It is a specific type called EM-10L, but it is no longer made. I contacted the manufacturer a few years back, and their replacement is EM-30L. That is the exact type of grease used in the original factory. You can search for and usually order small jars online.

 

[Phipli]

It is a specific type called EM-10L, but it is no longer made. I contacted the manufacturer a few years back, and their replacement is EM-30L. That is the exact type of grease used in the original factory. You can search for and usually order small jars online.

Ah, thank you, that makes much more sense. although I'd expect EM-10L to be white too. Perhaps they used different greases at different times.

That stuff seems to be good at not collecting dust and not degrading rubbers from a quick review of the datasheet. Suspect floppy drives don't need the low temperature compatibility

 

[olePigeon]

I think it's just cuz the worm gear gets a bunch of crud in it that just ends up on either end of the gear.

 

[LaPorta]

^^That is my theory as well. I have seen no evidence that there was anything else other than EM-10L was used (not that I am the authority). My theory is that the motor itself had some oil in it (I always oil them a bit), and this eventually mixed witht he grease with the repeated back and forth motion over the life of the drive.

I did a lot of research through original drive documentation to come upon the EM-10L. It was in either a build or service manual, I can't remember.

 

[aplmak]

Great info. Searching on fleabay it seems I can only find it shipping out of Germany.. The EM-30L but the Molykote is available in the US.

 

[Pushpull76]

^^That is my theory as well. I have seen no evidence that there was anything else other than EM-10L was used (not that I am the authority). My theory is that the motor itself had some oil in it (I always oil them a bit), and this eventually mixed witht he grease with the repeated back and forth motion over the life of the drive.

I did a lot of research through original drive documentation to come upon the EM-10L. It was in either a build or service manual, I can't remember.

Dow Corning EM-30L is the perfect grease for a lot of application, I used it a lot of times on cd players mechanism and other stuff. The funny thing is that the minimum format for that grease is a 100ml tube ; hebuy and other marketplaces are full of people who sell this product (well...not really sure about it...) inside plastic containers with fake stickers.

 

[LaPorta]

So far as I know, this stuff was proportioned out into these jars for sale via Amazon by a 3rd party. It definitely does not have original molykote badging.

 

[Pushpull76]

So far as I know, this stuff was proportioned out into these jars for sale via Amazon by a 3rd party. It definitely does not have original molykote badging.

On the auction they write it's original Molykote, on the stickers is M-kote
Another red alert....these type of grease has an expiration date, which is completely omitted on the plastic containers.

 

[LaPorta]

My supposition there is that they cannot write the brand name as it is trade marked. Who knows: I just know my jar has worked

 

[CC_333]

Another red alert....these type of grease has an expiration date

That said, what is the average shelf life?

I got a tub of it in I think 2020. I just finished it, and it seemed to last about 2-ish years with no obvious degradation that I could notice.

I'm thinking of getting more, but I don't use it all that often, so I don't want to get a bunch and then have it go bad on me.

c

 

[Phipli]

You realise you're worrying about the expiration date on a grease you left on drives for 30 years?

I don't think you should worry.

 

[taddy]

How about TAMIYA grease? i use this all the time.

Tamiya Molybdenum Grease / Tamiya USA

This grease consists of Molybdenum disulfide. The grease is ideal to use with R/C gear boxes

www.tamiyausa.com

It is compatible with both plastic and metal gears, and is easy to obtain anywhere.

 

[aeberbach]

How about TAMIYA grease? i use this all the time.

Tamiya Molybdenum Grease / Tamiya USA

This grease consists of Molybdenum disulfide. The grease is ideal to use with R/C gear boxes

www.tamiyausa.com

It is compatible with both plastic and metal gears, and is easy to obtain anywhere.

This is good stuff, only way too expensive because Tamiya!