#2 PENCIL LEAD FOR A LUBE

[williamlayton]

I was cleaning a semi an when I started to put it back together my mind went in a whirl and I thought .
I grabbed a #2 pencil out of the holder and with my trusty pen kinife I scraped the lead into the groves for the slide.
Dank if it don't feel slicker than snot on a brass door knob.
Blessings

 

[Hillbilly77]

Yup, that's an old carpenter's trick. I've used that one for years inside retractable utility knives, etc.

The graphite contained in the pencil "lead" is a great dry lubricant.
You can buy graphite lube for all sorts of applications.

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

I was cleaning a semi an when I started to put it back together my mind went in a whirl and I thought .
I grabbed a #2 pencil out of the holder and with my trusty pen kinife I scraped the lead into the groves for the slide.
Dank if it don't feel slicker than snot on a brass door knob.
Blessings

You can buy graphite powder at Lowe's or any hardware store FYI. Sometimes hobby shops have it as well.

James

 

[Mike McLellan]

It seems like I have heard the phrase, "It'll put lead in your pencil". I never knew what it meant until now. Thanks. This site is amazing.

 

[kwselke]

I normally use Rig grease or a light gun oil, so I never thought about using graphite. I do use graphite on locks and it works great. This tube is over a decade old and is easier than shaving pencil leads, I'm sure. Squeeze the tube and a fine mist of graphite dust puffs out.

 

[SweetMK]

A pencil is fine for emergencies, but, there are binders in the graphite that make pencil "lead" unsuitable for everyday use.

Powdered graphite is readily available, you then know what you are using.

 

[walkin jack]

Good to know I'm still not too old to learn somethin' new now and then. Now I just have to wait and see what learning this is gonna cause me to forget. I think the knowledge department of my brain was already full so somethin's gotta go.

 

[arjay]

I just "colored" the rails on a dry 1911.Slick!

 

[2152hq]

Clay used to be the primary binder with the graphite in pencil 'lead'.
It certainly works as a dry lube..I just wouldn't over do it.
Works great as a coating for any area you don't want soft solder to stick to as when you're sweat soldering a sight base onto a bbl, ect.

 

[Aticus]

I've been using powdered graphite as inside case lube for bottle neck cases for years. I buy it at the hardware store in the lock section.

P.S. Works great on locks also!

 

[williamlayton]

Damn your hide boys---looks like you'd get a crotichity ol Silly Ol Bill a heads up.
Now---I am susposin ya'll are all rolled up in a ball and laughin your arse off at me fer jest now catchin on.
Dang Ya'lls hides.
Blessings

 

[scooter123]

Most pencil leads contain CLAY as a binder in addition to the Graphite. Personally, I would NOT lubricate the rails on any semi of mine with CLAY because it's basically SAND with really really tiny particles. If you want to use Graphite, go to a hardware store and purchase some Graphite.

 

[BigBill]

Moly??? I been preaching it for years.

 

[SgtLumpy]

I use graphite in the packaging that the pinewood derby scout guys use. It has a long needle applicator that concentrates the gray cloud into a tiny area. Use it all over my reloading equipment so it lubes without oil.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[G.T. Smith]

I have used pencils to lubricate zippers for as long as I can remember, which is probably about 30 minutes.
Peace,
Gordon

 

[gregintenn]

I use graphite in the packaging that the pinewood derby scout guys use. It has a long needle applicator that concentrates the gray cloud into a tiny area. Use it all over my reloading equipment so it lubes without oil.


Sgt Lumpy

That's where I was first introduced to it. It makes a good lube for locks, cables, the rotor in a powder measure, and I'm sure a million other uses. I never thought to use it in a gun. It should work well if for some reason you don't want or need to use grease or oil.

One little tube of it will turn everything you own black!

 

[rwsmith]

Pencil lead

Pencil lead has varying amounts of clay in it to achieve certain hardness. A #2 pencil is in the middle of the scale which means it has some medium amount of clay in it. Pure graphite is better.

 

[kwselke]

Damn your hide boys---looks like you'd get a crotichity ol Silly Ol Bill a heads up.
Now---I am susposin ya'll are all rolled up in a ball and laughin your arse off at me fer jest now catchin on.
Dang Ya'lls hides.
Blessings

I'm not laughing. I just do not like mixing oils and graphite. Graphite washes off too easily and I do not want to gum up the works.

 

[chief38]

I have some dry graphite in my Shop but rarely use it anymore because of the black residue that gets all over. I've also got a bottle of liquid suspended graphite and yes it works well as a lube, but just make damned sure it does NOT get into contact with ANYTHING - as it will stain the heck out of it! I almost never use it indoors because of the mess. If it (the liquid suspended one) were used on an Auto Loader it would be on your face and clothing after the first few shots.

 

[williamlayton]

Well, for the time being boys, that thing is slick. I doubt it will do any meaningful long term disater to this piece.
I us Rem dry for this kind of work but was out and well, you know, hold my beer and let's see what this does.
Blessings