Hey, that's a cool idea! Paraffin wax would probably work best. I think I'll try that idea! Thanks!

I also use the 3 in 1 oil on tension rods. Keeps things turning (and tuning :)) smoothly.

James

I use a drop of sewing machine oil....same as 3 in 1 oil...on the end of each tension rod.

I thought about using wax as I have a block that I use to lube the bearing edge on an 80s Ludwig marching snare. Not good for anything else.

What exactly is 3 in 1 oil, and where can I get some? :p

3-in-1 is basically mineral oil. I take all my vintage t-rods and run them through steel wool with my screw gun. I dab a little on the steel wool and get after it with the screw gun, in and out a few times, then run it down a cloth to remove all the crud, and they are then clean and lubed. This is the absolute only place one should EVER use steel wool on drums.

You can get a large container of mineral oil at Mal-Mart for about $2.00, and a small tin can of 3-in-1 for about the same...and it is the same thing.

Grandma always kept 3-in-1 oil in her sewing machine drawer.Thats how I was introduced to it

My grandma too...in her Singer treadle sewing machine. My dad always used it as kinda' the "fix-all" before WD40 came along. Good stuff!

+1 for the mineral oil. And if you are feeling a little "sluggish" you can drink a double shot of that stuff and it will fix you right up! LOL Toilet

While I'll clean up all of the threaded parts with mineral oil, I also will apply Glide from Repercussions (it's a beeswax blend formula). And, of course, it's really great for bearing edges.

What kind of wax is best and where can I get some?