Holly - First, I'm not sure it makes a difference, (somebody?) but, for some applications, I prefer the paste form of Flitz, not the liquid. Next, your actual approach might be a little different, depending upon whether you are dealing with mounted parts or removed from frame. I'm in the process of doing a set, unmounted, right now, so process is fresh in my mind. To sort out some of the divergent responses: - If tallow is hardened and built up on spring, it is definitely perceptible, and not a waste of time to address. - As for the tool, a sharpened tool can do damage in two ways. It can distort the profile of the groove so that it begins to hug the sides of the rounded portion of the spring and actually create very noticeable drag. Also, you can inadvertently dig a depression into a spot along the groove's profile which will also transmit a noticeable feel (bump) to the movement of the rep. lever. - I suspect that the type of high polish result you would achieve with Ed Suttons dremel approach would be of greater significance in those situations where totally dry lubricant has been employed, such as Emralon, or where the groove has been completely cleaned out using a solvent, such as alcohol. If the springs are really dirty, you would want to protect the rep lever surface from transferring all that schmutz. - The hammershank method (John Delacour) or pencil (RevenkoJones) works, though I have some doubt regarding how much graphite gets transferred (and burnished into) the wood which has not been thoroughly cleaned of all traces of tallow. The main thing would be to clean the spring and remove the built-up, hardened excess tallow. Uses for Flitz? Capstans, action frame glides, keypin cleaning, drop screw polishing, tarnished center pins, unlacquered brass, etc. Have fun. David Skolnik Hastings on Hudson, NY At 06:32 PM 6/26/2008, you wrote: >I've searched the archives and can't find anything, but I swear I >remember someone recommending cleaning crusty (butterfly-style) >repetition springs with Flitz. Can anyone tell me if this is a good, >bad, or unnecessary idea? Now that I've found my precious bottles of >Flitz (Finally!), I'm curious as to just what all I can do with it! >-Holly Quigley, associate >No virus found in this incoming message. >Checked by AVG. >Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.4.1/1519 - Release Date: >6/25/2008 4:13 PM
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