Ilex No. 4 Shutter: Sticking Slow Speeds from Moly Lubricant
Originally posted on Instagram. Notes from the repair bench, kept here as a searchable archive. View the original on Instagram
The Ilex No. 4 shutter that arrived had slow speeds that were sticking. Usually this is a sign of dirty parts, especially the speeds escapement. In this case, it was the speeds escapement sticking but not so much from dirt/grime but from way overdone lubricant.
Photo two shows the speeds escapement and visible is an encrustment of moly/graphite lubricant. All of the parts of the escapement need to be removed and made totally clean. Please, no oil or moly! If you have a strong desire to put lubricant on the speeds escapement (about the only reason I could see would be excessive wear on the parts causing binding) I’d suggest an evaporating carrier dry film lubricant when all the parts are taken out. The use of moly paste as seen here, is not good and should only be used sparingly on sliding parts. One small jar of moly paste can last a lifetime.
The final photo/video shows how to test after cleaning by charging the escapement and letting it return on its own. It should do this smoothly and without hesitation.
