A couple months ago there was a discussion here about lubricating locks.
I had to get a key cut today and it was a tube key, so that meant
visiting one of the top locksmith shops in the area. I give the guy
credit because he made a working copy in one try despite having warned
me to try it ASAP because tube lock are particularly picky about perfect
key fit. I told him I had trouble with those locks at the best of
times. He suggested lubricating them with WD40, saying it was the best
lubricant for locks.


Now that I have an expensive copy of the key the old one is likely to
turn up.

On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 3:42:01 PM UTC-5, Dave Smith wrote:
>
> I had to get a key cut today and it was a tube key.
>
>
What is a 'tube key?'

But for sticky locks I've always used graphite powder.
Smooth as butta.

On Fri, 21 Oct 2016 14:29:08 -0700 (PDT), "
> wrote:

>On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 3:42:01 PM UTC-5, Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>> I had to get a key cut today and it was a tube key.
>>
>>
>What is a 'tube key?'

Presumably like this:
http://www.batonlockusa.com/batontaiwan/indexp4.htm

>But for sticky locks I've always used graphite powder.
>Smooth as butta.

I use silicone grease/spray. Graphite powder is good too.

This one of those topics where there doesnt seem to be consensus, even
amongst locksmiths.

On 2016-10-21 5:29 PM, wrote:
> On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 3:42:01 PM UTC-5, Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>> I had to get a key cut today and it was a tube key.
>>
>>
> What is a 'tube key?'

They are round keys, like those commonly used it vending machines.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=tube+...r 9jjIYPBM%3A

>
> But for sticky locks I've always used graphite powder.
> Smooth as butta.

I don't doubt it works. Just saying what a top local locksmith said.

+

On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 10:42:01 AM UTC-10, Dave Smith wrote:
> A couple months ago there was a discussion here about lubricating locks.
> I had to get a key cut today and it was a tube key, so that meant
> visiting one of the top locksmith shops in the area. I give the guy
> credit because he made a working copy in one try despite having warned
> me to try it ASAP because tube lock are particularly picky about perfect
> key fit. I told him I had trouble with those locks at the best of
> times. He suggested lubricating them with WD40, saying it was the best
> lubricant for locks.
>
>
> Now that I have an expensive copy of the key the old one is likely to
> turn up.

The experts say not to use WD-40 on electrical potentiometers too. Sometimes it's best not to listen to what the experts say. You heard it here first - or second.

On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 4:47:20 PM UTC-5, Jeßus wrote:
>
> On Fri, 21 Oct 2016 14:29:08 -0700 (PDT), "
> > wrote:
>
> >On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 3:42:01 PM UTC-5, Dave Smith wrote:
> >>
> >> I had to get a key cut today and it was a tube key.
> >>
> >>
> >What is a 'tube key?'
>
> Presumably like this:
> http://www.batonlockusa.com/batontaiwan/indexp4.htm
>
Ooooooooh ok. I've seen those but never used one.
>
> >But for sticky locks I've always used graphite powder.
> >Smooth as butta.
>
> I use silicone grease/spray. Graphite powder is good too.
>
> This one of those topics where there doesnt seem to be consensus, even
> amongst locksmiths.
>
>
I was having trouble getting the latch for my truck hood to
release. Once I did, I gave it a good spray with silicone and
now it opens with ease. I plan on giving it another good squirt
during the winter months and thereafter.

On Sat, 22 Oct 2016 08:47:04 +1100, Jeßus > wrote:

>On Fri, 21 Oct 2016 14:29:08 -0700 (PDT), "
> wrote:
>
>>On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 3:42:01 PM UTC-5, Dave Smith wrote:
>>>
>>> I had to get a key cut today and it was a tube key.
>>>
>>>
>>What is a 'tube key?'
>
>Presumably like this:
>http://www.batonlockusa.com/batontaiwan/indexp4.htm
>
>>But for sticky locks I've always used graphite powder.
>>Smooth as butta.
>
>I use silicone grease/spray. Graphite powder is good too.
>
>This one of those topics where there doesnt seem to be consensus, even
>amongst locksmiths.

WD40 is my least favoured, mainly because it attracts dust which
usually compounds the problem.

On Fri, 21 Oct 2016 15:58:20 -0700 (PDT), "
> wrote:

>On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 4:47:20 PM UTC-5, Jeßus wrote:
>>
>> On Fri, 21 Oct 2016 14:29:08 -0700 (PDT), "
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 3:42:01 PM UTC-5, Dave Smith wrote:
>> >>
>> >> I had to get a key cut today and it was a tube key.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >What is a 'tube key?'
>>
>> Presumably like this:
>> http://www.batonlockusa.com/batontaiwan/indexp4.htm
>>
>Ooooooooh ok. I've seen those but never used one.
>>
>> >But for sticky locks I've always used graphite powder.
>> >Smooth as butta.
>>
>> I use silicone grease/spray. Graphite powder is good too.
>>
>> This one of those topics where there doesnt seem to be consensus, even
>> amongst locksmiths.
>>
>>
>I was having trouble getting the latch for my truck hood to
>release. Once I did, I gave it a good spray with silicone and
>now it opens with ease. I plan on giving it another good squirt
>during the winter months and thereafter.

Yeah, it's also ideal for car locks and other mechanisms. I also apply
silicone grease to the window runners in car doors.

On Fri, 21 Oct 2016 20:06:49 -0300, wrote:

>On Sat, 22 Oct 2016 08:47:04 +1100, Jeßus > wrote:
>
>>On Fri, 21 Oct 2016 14:29:08 -0700 (PDT), "
> wrote:
>>
>>>On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 3:42:01 PM UTC-5, Dave Smith wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I had to get a key cut today and it was a tube key.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>What is a 'tube key?'
>>
>>Presumably like this:
>>http://www.batonlockusa.com/batontaiwan/indexp4.htm
>>
>>>But for sticky locks I've always used graphite powder.
>>>Smooth as butta.
>>
>>I use silicone grease/spray. Graphite powder is good too.
>>
>>This one of those topics where there doesnt seem to be consensus, even
>>amongst locksmiths.
>
>WD40 is my least favoured, mainly because it attracts dust which
>usually compounds the problem.

Once it dries, it leaves a residue that attracts dirt and dust. It
works *great* at first, but not in the long run. It is really just a
penetrating oil and water dispersant, after all, and not intended to
be a lubricant as such (even though WD40 themselves claim it is).

On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 6:26:53 PM UTC-5, Jeßus wrote:
>
> On Fri, 21 Oct 2016 20:06:49 -0300, wrote:
> >
> >WD40 is my least favoured, mainly because it attracts dust which
> >usually compounds the problem.
>
> Once it dries, it leaves a residue that attracts dirt and dust. It
> works *great* at first, but not in the long run. It is really just a
> penetrating oil and water dispersant, after all, and not intended to
> be a lubricant as such (even though WD40 themselves claim it is).
>
>
I agree, it does attract dust but the stuff is really good
for removing labels from jars and plastic ware.

On Fri, 21 Oct 2016 16:34:51 -0700 (PDT), "
> wrote:

>On Friday, October 21, 2016 at 6:26:53 PM UTC-5, Jeßus wrote:
>>
>> On Fri, 21 Oct 2016 20:06:49 -0300, wrote:
>> >
>> >WD40 is my least favoured, mainly because it attracts dust which
>> >usually compounds the problem.
>>
>> Once it dries, it leaves a residue that attracts dirt and dust. It
>> works *great* at first, but not in the long run. It is really just a
>> penetrating oil and water dispersant, after all, and not intended to
>> be a lubricant as such (even though WD40 themselves claim it is).
>>
>>
>I agree, it does attract dust but the stuff is really good
>for removing labels from jars and plastic ware.

I agree with that, but I hate the smell of it