[Beowulf] Re: What is the right lubricant for computer rack sliding rails?

[Nifty Tom Mitchell]

On Fri, Feb 06, 2009 at 11:10:48AM -0500, Gus Correa wrote:
>
> I am talking about telescoping rails, metal on metal,
> no ball-bearing mechanism,
> which I think match Bob Drzyzgula description.
>

If this is metal on metal then a THIN application 
of a MoS2 based grease can help.   Lithium greases
are nearly as good.

Inspect the rails for "bright shiney metal" spots that indicate metal
on metal sliding.  Apply a thin layer with a small brush (0.5cm) on the
bright spots.  Moly has a graphite like structure and the bits shear and
slide over each other.   The plating to metal and affinity to grease all
do the right thing here.   The thin layer of grease will help limit rust/
corrosion over the next three years (mostly the rack stays closed).

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molybdenum_disulfide

A very thin application is all that is needed.
A wipe down with a clean paper towel will leave enough lubrication
no matter how much you wipe.

A film can of grease should be all you need for a very big machine room.

As others noted once you rackem and stackem they tend to stay for a very
long time... so for the most part this is a non issue.

The flip side of this are bolts and screws that hold the rails in place.
I have often seen these vibrate loose and drop screws, bolts and nuts into the rack.
How many use products like Loctite® Threadlocker Blue, Loctite® Threadlocker Red,
Nylock nuts etc. to hold a rack together?







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	T o m  M i t c h e l l 
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