CJ Tate
Elite Cafe Member
I am hoping for advice on how to lubricate my engraving block.
It is a DIXON and I got it in 1975. I used it for a couple of years and then I was sidetracked for about 30 years (way too long). Anyway...
When it was new I remember it turning/rotating easily while cutting. Not just from the leather pad but the top half rotating easily while cutting, at that point only by hand. It was a joy to cut with.
Now the top half will turn, but so slowly that the whole thing rotates on the leather pad more easily than just the top spinning. There is no grinding - just s..l..o..w..., like it is in mud. I have taken it apart and cleaned it and tried a number of lubricants (recleaning each time). I am older (and maybe a little arthritis in hands), the block is stiffer and my left hand/thumb aches after a couple of hours spinning the whole block - not just the top half.
What should I be using? I am thinking about trying the powered graphite sold for locks (we have to maintain a lot of locks and so we have some on hand)
Does anyone have any suggestions?
I have included pictures of block - I think it is very standard but just in case.
Thanks - Candy
It is a DIXON and I got it in 1975. I used it for a couple of years and then I was sidetracked for about 30 years (way too long). Anyway...
When it was new I remember it turning/rotating easily while cutting. Not just from the leather pad but the top half rotating easily while cutting, at that point only by hand. It was a joy to cut with.
Now the top half will turn, but so slowly that the whole thing rotates on the leather pad more easily than just the top spinning. There is no grinding - just s..l..o..w..., like it is in mud. I have taken it apart and cleaned it and tried a number of lubricants (recleaning each time). I am older (and maybe a little arthritis in hands), the block is stiffer and my left hand/thumb aches after a couple of hours spinning the whole block - not just the top half.
What should I be using? I am thinking about trying the powered graphite sold for locks (we have to maintain a lot of locks and so we have some on hand)
Does anyone have any suggestions?
I have included pictures of block - I think it is very standard but just in case.
Thanks - Candy