Tjalk Winch Lubricant

[DBA Forum (B) - Nigel Seaman]

Good evening,

I have what I hope to be a simple question......I need to grease my anchor winch. Can someone point me in the right direction with regard to the type of grease/lubricant I should be using.

Thanks in anticipation,

Nige

[DBA Forum (B) - David Beaumont]

I just use aerosol spray grease, available from car shops. Usually comes with a fine tube and when leaving the can has a high fluidity so you can get it into the bearings, where in theory it thickens up as the solvent dries.

Now if I was dismantling the winch and re-assembling I might use a tub of EP grease instead, depending on the wear found. However I hope I am never likely to do that whilst I keep spraying, I've only done it to a winch once in my life and that required hitting it with a large club hammer to free the spindle. Then I think I used lithium grease but it was a small winch.

David

[DBA Forum (B) - Charles Mclaren]

Hi. you should NEVER use grease on the bearings of an anchor or leeboard winch. Use oil. It is amazing how grease hardens, collects and holds dust and grit. A greased winch after time becomes so stiff it requires a great deal of effort just to turn it, let alone hoist an anchor. Ideally disassemble the winch, clean off all old grease and reassemble and then oil. Once a month or more frequently get out yr oil can and put a squirt into the oil holes. If the handle of the winch will freewheel, when disengaged, 15 + times on a single manual spin then it is a healthy winch and will repay you at three in the morning when you're battling to win your anchor in a gale. C

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Post by DBA Forum (B) - David Beaumont
I just use aerosol spray grease, available from car shops. Usually comes with a fine tube and when leaving the can has a high fluidity so you can get it into the bearings, where in theory it thickens up as the solvent dries.
Now if I was dismantling the winch and re-assembling I might use a tub of EP grease instead, depending on the wear found. However I hope I am never likely to do that whilst I keep spraying, I've only done it to a winch once in my life and that required hitting it with a large club hammer to free the spindle. Then I think I used lithium grease but it was a small winch.
David

[DBA Forum (B) - David Beaumont]

ALWAYS use grease on an anchor winch.

Yes grease can harden on the surface, but apply pressure to it and you will find it slides. Try it. This is the main function of grease - Greases are a type of shear-thinning fluid, the viscosity of the fluid is reduced under shear. When pressure is applied, the viscosity drops to that of the lubricant in the grease, the mineral oil. Grease is basically emulsified oil that stays in one place and lubricates when needed. Oil does not stay.

As for dust and grit, oil will attract this as well. The difference is, oil will transfer it into the bearing whereas with grease it will mostly stick to the outside.

Oil will also leave the bearing (both slowly and rapidly) and put itself on your deck, with predictable results. Again the function of grease is to stay in the place it is applied.

Grease is specifically designed for this type of use - open air simple bearings. It is of course even used in sealed bearings. Oil is used where it can be automatically replenished and re-circulated.

So I can't understand why anyone would use oil instead of grease. If you do that you would surely never use grease anywhere.

Ironically the solution in [i]very[/i] dusty or gritty environments is to use [i]thicker[/i] grease. Never oil.

David

[DBA Forum (B) - Colin Stone]

Post by DBA Forum (B) - Charles Mclaren
Once a month or more frequently get out yr oil can and put a squirt into the oil holes.

My Strikwerda winches have grease nipples and Jappie told me to use a general purpose grease. Squirt in until new grease come out of bearing or shaft sleeve. Wipe off old.

A very sad Commander RN, who worked at sea training and inspected warships, used to depress the ball bearing seal on the grease nipple with his thumbnail. If no grease came out, he claimed that there was not enough grease.

Colin Stone
KEI
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[DBA Forum (B) - David Beaumont]

Yes I see modern windlass manufacturers specify greasing not oiling.

Unfortunately I think my windlass pre dates the invention of the grease nipple (1929 apparently) . It simply has bearings with vertical holes drilled and countersunk to accept oil dripped in or grease pushed in. I suspect the original maintenance schedule for winches in constant use was 'grease when built or stripped' then 'add oil daily or push in grease monthly'.

Technology moves on eg Grease nipples allowing the application of grease under pressure and keeping it there. Fortunately it also moves on for the maintenance of existing kit like pre-nipple windlasses.

Not sure when someone had the idea of thinning grease with a solvent and putting it in aerosol cans. I have a feeling it is only the last 30 odd years as I don't remember it as a kid. It is a brilliant and popular invention, effectively allowing you to deliver grease well inside a bearing as if using a grease gun to push it in. The thin solution penetrates then the solvent evaporates, leaving the grease behind, in the bearing.

I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't take advantage of that invention. Unless they liked oiling their winch every day and sliding off their decks at 3 in the morning.

Plus when your windlass is nearly 100 years old the bearings will be a lot further apart than when new, meaning oil will drop out much more quickly. That combined with the winch not being used frequently must mean grease by spray is the best solution.

David

[DBA Forum (B) - Charles Mclaren]

David, again and as always we disagree. I have been building and skippering sailing barges for 45 years, anchor, leeboard, mast case, steering winches in use under stress every day I have been at sea. Personally I know not to grease winches....which is why they are built with oiling holes not grease nipples. If u wish to grease yours go ahead...I'm just sad that people might take your advice, because you are wrong. C

Sent from my iPad

Post by DBA Forum (B) - David Beaumont
ALWAYS use grease on an anchor winch.
Yes grease can harden on the surface, but apply pressure to it and you will find it slides. Try it. This is the main function of grease - Greases are a type of shear-thinning fluid, the viscosity of the fluid is reduced under shear. When pressure is applied, the viscosity drops to that of the lubricant in the grease, the mineral oil. Grease is basically emulsified oil that stays in one place and lubricates when needed. Oil does not stay.
As for dust and grit, oil will attract this as well. The difference is, oil will transfer it into the bearing whereas with grease it will mostly stick to the outside.
Oil will also leave the bearing (both slowly and rapidly) and put itself on your deck, with predictable results. Again the function of grease is to stay in the place it is applied.
Grease is specifically designed for this type of use - open air simple bearings. It is of course even used in sealed bearings. Oil is used where it can be automatically replenished and re-circulated.
So I can't understand why anyone would use oil instead of grease. If you do that you would surely never use grease anywhere.
Ironically the solution in [i]very[/i] dusty or gritty environments is to use [i]thicker[/i] grease. Never oil.
David

[DBA Forum (B) - David Beaumont]

Charlie they have holes (for oil or grease) not nipples because (as I said) the grease nipple wasn't invented until 1929.

I don't see the relevance of how long you have been oiling your winch for, sticking stubbornly with a practice for 45 years doesn't make it right. I've had 2 old winches for 30 years, both always greased, both never failed after greasing.

It's mostly common sense so I think members can judge perfectly well for themselves, I don't think you need to insist you are right and I am wrong.

David

[DBA Forum (B) - Nigel Seaman]

Folks,

Good comments and an interesting debate.
I will be opting for aerosol grease for a number of reasons, one being extended periods lying unused.

Thank you all for your input and guidance.

Kind regards,