rapier 2 lube?

i have 2 rapier 's that i got from Carey...awesome machines...
i was told not to lube them cause of the material was used...my machine kept getting a lil louder , and louder..almost sounded like a coil( almost)
one of them would seem to be a tad weak.

so i bit the bullet...i used a touch of lube, from my dragonfly..lubed it like i would my dragonfly also...
its like a new Machine now..its as quiet as dragonfly and hyperV2 ..and feels so strong...i can even run it at a lower voltage, not that lower voltage matters...but you notice a change when you adjust the power.. i know i'm not really putting in words what i mean...its just better.
when i used to have Neuma Hybrids..i was told the same thing..no lube...i cleaned them ,lubed them... it was like a new machine , and very consistent .

Now if this machine had any warranty it might be void, now...but the machine is so awesome now..chances are i wouldnt send it in for repairs, any ways ..i'd just buy a new machine .

So has anyone else had to lube their rapier 2, mine seems to need it or it seems ad if it would run smoother if I lubed it.

yea have always lubed mine with superlube brand ,dow33 etc. you can get both off ebay or your local paintball shop.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FOOD-BEVERAGE-USDA-H-1-PURE-SYNTHETIC-GREASE-w-PTFE-/270764938724?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0ad9 15e4#ht_2492wt_1139

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dow-33-Lube-...ht_1191wt_1139

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DOW-MOLYKOTE-EM-30L-Synthetic-Grease-Electronics-Audio-/280646126932?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4157d0 0d54#ht_2383wt_1139

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DUPONT-Teflon-Clean-White-Lithium-Grease-Ind-Grade-2-/270761336600?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0aa2 1f18#ht_2210wt_1139

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DOW-CORNING-33-MED-Silicone-Grease-Lubricant-Lube-5-3oz-/280699243815?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item415afa 8d27#ht_2651wt_1139

this also works good if you need a liquid and is safe on parts:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gold-Cup-Superior-Lubricant-Gun-Rifle-Oil-1oz-Bottle-/140688421465?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c1ae f259#ht_2781wt_1139

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160558526043?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p398 4.m1438.l2649#ht_500wt_1156

http://www.ebay.com/itm/270758801592...84.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Synthetic-Lubricant-CO2-HPA-Air-Paintball-Gun-Oil-Lube-1-oz-Bottle-NEW-spyder-/300654286740?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460064 5794#ht_1280wt_1139
and for bearings:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DOW-MOLYKOTE-44-Silicone-High-Temp-Bearing-Grease-Lube-/280549214932?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item415209 4ad4#ht_1545wt_1139

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DavidEngbaek

i have 2 rapier 's that i got from Carey...awesome machines...
i was told not to lube them cause of the material was used...my machine kept getting a lil louder , and louder..almost sounded like a coil( almost)
one of them would seem to be a tad weak.

so i bit the bullet...i used a touch of lube, from my dragonfly..lubed it like i would my dragonfly also...
its like a new Machine now..its as quiet as dragonfly and hyperV2 ..and feels so strong...i can even run it at a lower voltage, not that lower voltage matters...but you notice a change when you adjust the power.. i know i'm not really putting in words what i mean...its just better.
when i used to have Neuma Hybrids..i was told the same thing..no lube...i cleaned them ,lubed them... it was like a new machine , and very consistent .

Now if this machine had any warranty it might be void, now...but the machine is so awesome now..chances are i wouldnt send it in for repairs, any ways ..i'd just buy a new machine .

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throwing away a machine and buy a new one... dude... you got such a shitty attitude. sorry just my opinion.

i bought an older rapier II a couple of days ago and i thought it was running like shit. the motor changed the speed it was loud the whole machine was vibrating not consistent at all... i was also told that i shouldnt lube it but i did add a little super lube and after 10 minutes the machine ran just perfect... still does...

I just bought a rapier on eBay and I was asking Cary about it. ( I need to add that I think mine is a rapier I ) I asked him about lube and he said that if the slide is a yellow material it needs lube and if it is brown it doesn't. Just thought I should add that in. Don't know if it helps or if it only applies to the rapier I

Oh he also mentioned new slides are only 20$ so if yours has a lot if wear get a new slide, much cheaper than a new machine ;-)

Nice, my slide is an amber color...good idea I am getting a treasure chest spring set soon, I should see about him throwing in a new slide for my rapier 2...I am personally going to lube mine , it is making more noise than when I first got it new and I don't see how some superlube can hurt it much.
Thanks slicksteel that helps a lot.

still have the original rapiers 2's from when i started this thread.....still awesome work horses.
highly recommend them to anyone..
BTW i'd just buy new ones cause its a tax write off,and it helps support smaller independent builders make a living.
after a year of constant use, these machines have made thousands of dollars, but at the same time...now that i know i could just buy the parts, i'd probably order the parts also...
Carey is still one of the BEST guy's i've ever dealt with, and thats why i just bought a New Treasure Chest

They are by far my favorite machines.

my favorite also and i have many different brands.

I clean my machines once a month with WD 40 and leave them wet. As time goes by you will wear parts down in the slide area and oil will fill the gap and lesson the play. WD 40 seems to be the best lube for the tight tolerence and cleans parts perfect. I don't mind repairing my machines for you guys as long as there taken care of. Resold machines and trades I don't mind going through for guys who need help. Cary

So you just spray some wd 40 on the parts instead of another lube/oil. Anyone else do this, wonder if it would ruin any parts on other rotarys with "plastic" sliders and such like the dragon fly.

Well I don't have any WD-40 handy but I did clean the treasure chest today. I took some super lube ( ptfe or Teflon lube ). I stripped the slide completely inner slide too. Cleaned all the parts and before reassembly I put some super lube on a paper towel. I wiped all the parts down with the paper towel and put it back together. Never has it run so smooth or quiet. I would suggest the same for the rapier. This was just a fine light wipe down on the parts. Barely any really, but the difference is amazing.

I have a can of WD 40 at the shop I bought for a squeaking door. Just found this link on Wikipedia seems like you can do lots of things with WD40

http://www.wd40.com/files/pdf/wd-40_2042538679.pdf

Yeah state side we use WD-40 on everything. The only issue is that it has solvents that can break down plastic. Although solvents evaporate quickly with heat / friction. So as long as you run the machine afterwards the solvents will evaporate leaving only lubricant. Also it's good to know what material you are putting it on. I believe Cary uses a nylon impregnated with PTFE ( Teflon ) and I would imagine that is fairly resistant to solvents. But not all machines have the same material.

hmmm and how does that react with super lube being teflon based???

Teflon is pretty safe. Teflon on Teflon slides nicely.

Its really amazing how smooth and consistent the machine is running now after adding the tiny bit of Super Lube.

The Rapier II is the best thing that could have happend for me I never got used to a machine so quickly... I always wanted to do rotary only tattoos and now Im able. I dont even set up a in case coil liner anymore the Rapier is just a splendid liner and I need at least another one when I have some money to spend. Ive used the Rapier on differnt spots, calf, arm, forearm, neck, female chest and a shoulder blade and everything went great. The missing weight doesnt seem to be a problem with Rapier also.

Its an incredible machine everyone who plans on lining with a rotary should give it a try Im absolutely convinced.

I am waiting on 3 machines to ship. A rapier, a rotary works, and a Swiss! I can't stand it.

I wanted to update on the treasure chest. I did not live it per say but wiped the parts down with a paper towel with lube on it. So very very little. It runs amazing and is so much quieter! It is like a brand new machine. I found myself giving it maybe 0.2 - 0.3 more volts. But that might have been the quiet getting to me.

He He poor you I wouldnt wanna trade places its horrible to wait on machines... But Zapp will ship right away

Cary told me I can lube the amber slide . I did and it runs perfect. I am getting another one of these machines.

He did and gave me a tracking number too. Top notch

Just got my first rapier 2 on trade super stoked about it can't wait to use it!!!!!

I love my machines from Cary. The rapier 2 is the only rotary I have used that can line as fast and clean. I am now using the direct drive for bng and its amazing! No scabs form. I did a 7 hour with lots of blending and it never got a bigger scab than some light flaking. And its every tattoo so I know it's not a fluke. His machines are work horses for sure. I think in two years I replaced one bearing on each otherwise they have run flawless. Like you said it makes me a ton of cash I love them!