Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S 50/1.4

Hi everyhoneone, I'm orry if I'm in a wrong forum, I wasn't sure where to put it.

I'm repairing old Nikkor-S 50/1.4, it's first time I'm working with helicoids. I cleaned it all up, I even managed to get rid of all the fungus. I bought some graphite grease for the helicoid, but it was too damp, o I've decided to clean it all again and I reassembled it without grease for now. But the focus ring is still kinda hard to turn, compared to my Nikkor-S 35/2.8. Is there a grease that would loosen it up even more than it is now, without a grease?

The helicoids are dural on dural IIRC, and definitely need grease to work smoothly. Running them dry will quickly wear through the anodised hardening and ruin them permanently.

DO NOT use a silicone grease on dural. You could try a light beeswax grease obtainable from a company called Apiezon, but it's not cheap. Personally, I'd just use a good quality Lithium-based automobile grease. It has a very low separation and vapour tendency.

There may also be an adjustment for play in the helicoid runners and grooves. On some old lenses there's a small grub screw in a split thread that allows opening or closing the guide runner by a small fraction.

The helicoids are dural on dural IIRC, and definitely need grease to work smoothly. Running them dry will quickly wear through the anodised hardening and ruin them permanently.

 

DO NOT use a silicone grease on dural. You could try a light beeswax grease obtainable from a company called Apiezon, but it's not cheap. Personally, I'd just use a good quality Lithium-based automobile grease. It has a very low separation and vapour tendency.

 

There may also be an adjustment for play in the helicoid runners and grooves. On some lenses there's a small grub screw in a split thread that allows opening or closing the guide runner by a small fraction.

Yea I know, I reassembled it so I don't loose something, it's just temporary.

I bought a big unused can labeled 'aircraft instrument grease' in a paint can at a GSA auction at a local Air Force Base years ago. I'll never use a quart of it if I live to be 1000. The top of the grease in the can still has the swirls from when it was manufactured. I've used maybe a thimble full.

Need some?

I bought a big unused can labeled 'aircraft instrument grease' in a paint can at a GSA auction at a local Air Force Base years ago. I'll never use a quart of it if I live to be 1000. The top of the grease in the can still has the swirls from when it was manufactured. I've used maybe a thimble full.

 

Need some?

That's really nice of you, I would love to try it out, but I'm from Slovakia. I'm not sure where you're from, but I bet not from around here :D