Hardware & Technical Graphite powder for a squeaky hotas?

[Hampstor]

My t flight hotas stick squeaks quite bad now and I was reading about how graphite power can stop squeaks on plastic by grinding it to a really smooth surface, has anyone tried it?

 

[Telakin]

I haven't used it but I believe it works - though not by grinding, but by being a dry lubricant. Graphite consists of particles that slide over each other, thereby smoothing the movement. It shouldn't wear anything down.

 

[Yaffle]

Won't it conduct? And would that be a problem if it did?

(I have no idea about such things, obviously)

 

[Aleksej]

Won't it conduct? And would that be a problem if it did?

(I have no idea about such things, obviously)

As far as I remember there was a post regarding an attempt to use graphite powder with X55. Should I say that it ended up badly for the guy who tried to use it? It kind of lead to RMA'ing the HOTAS.

 

[Telakin]

Won't it conduct? And would that be a problem if it did?

(I have no idea about such things, obviously)

I guess Sheldon Cooper would say "Good point. But at least it would cure the squeak and you might end up with a great conversation piece."



Here's a great selection of stuff being used: http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/10137-best-lubricant-joystick/

 

[Hampstor]

Won't it conduct? And would that be a problem if it did?

(I have no idea about such things, obviously)

I've looked inside the t flight hotas and the mechanism for returning the stick to centre is isolated from everything electrical, it should be safe to tip the powder down the hole where the rubber dust guard is, there is a plastic sprung plate that pushes against a hollow half ball that's connected to the stick by a rod that comes out the hole, the half ball and the sprung plate are the cause, wear and tear have produced tiny scratches that I believe are the cause of the squeaks, once the powder gets in there it should get to all the parts on its own without any need for taking anything apart.

Once the powder arrives I'll try it and post results, I've only ever seen the stuff on amazon and maplins.

EDIT: Then again silicone spray should work too and can also be applied though the same hole with no danger of running out the bottom and onto your desk, the added bonus with silicone is you can polish the whole joystick so it gleams and looks like new.

 

[Para Handy]

EDIT: Then again silicone spray should work too and can also be applied though the same hole with no danger of running out the bottom and onto your desk, the added bonus with silicone is you can polish the whole joystick so it gleams and looks like new.

I use furniture polish to keep my plastics moving smoothly. I use it on my flight sim yoke and it is very effective. I don't spray directly onto the surface, I spray onto a cloth and then wipe the surface, moving the control spreads the silicone polish and provides good lubrication that lasts for ages.

 

[Ben_BigBen]

I think I'd go for a PTFE dry lube spray for this

 

[Hampstor]

Silicon spray makes no difference, grease helps though once you get it in the right place, I'll try the powder tomorrow and if its no good I'll cake the lot in grease.

 

[Hampstor]

Ok, bunged together a load of graphite powder and grease I found in my dads shed, slapped it all in there lovely jubbly, not a squeak since.

EDIT: The stick moves better, very consistent in all directions and very easy to do precise movements, I also tightened up the throttle and powder greased it too, feels so much better, better than it was when new.