Weak Opening Spring on 110 Auto?

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Nov 17, 1998
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Is there a reason why the spring on the 110 Auto is so weak? It's brand new, and barely opens fully. Also, is there a simple fix for this problem? Thanks.
 
I'd bet a flushing will fix it. Fruit juice slows mine down but a little water flush solves it. You might need more than water but it should be (de)solvable.
 
WD 40 will actually remove any lubricant and then evaporate. I would use CLP or just plain 3 in 1 oil and work it until it's clean. Sometimes the polishing rogue get's down in the mechanism and needs to be flushed out. I heard olive oil works well if you're going to cut food with it.

I've been a commercial locksmith for 30 years and people using WD40 on their locks do more damage than any type of foreign matter. It washes the graphite into a clump, then evaporates, then the graphite acts as an abrasive and wears away the metal creating gouges that prematurely wears out the key cylinder mechanism...
 
wonder if naptha or zippo lighter fluid would harm the wood on a Buck auto? we use that in otf autos to clean them out when they fail from debris and over oiling etc. it evaporates but leave a fine oily film that doesnt gather dust, dirt and debris like oils tend to.

I've used hot water and soap to clean a gunked up standard 110 before. then used wd40 to help displace the water in the pivot and air compressor to remove it and rest of water. seemed fine to me with no ill effects. not sure I'd use soap and hot water on the auto version though.
 
Have you ever noticed that if you use WD40 on a squeaky wheel the next time it squeaks a little more and so on??

We use to say it was better to spit on something than to use WD40 for a lubricant. As a water displacement (WD), it works great....

It's hard to find and kinda expensive but I think LPS #3 would work great. It would wash any foreign matter, lubricate, rust inhibitor, and leave a lubricating film behind....
 
Have you ever noticed that if you use WD40 on a squeaky wheel the next time it squeaks a little and so on??

We use to say it was better to spit on something than to use WD40 for a lubricant. As a water displacement (WD), it works great....
yes Sir. I'm not a great fan of it unless trying to remove water but that's debatable as well. like even in a lock as you pointed out.
 
Good point on the wd40.
I was thinking it was under pressure and could help clean it out.

I usually wash a gunked up knife in hot soapy water and then I oil my knives with sewing machine oil.

I too wondered about submerging the auto in water....
Is that spring prone to rust?

Thanks for the insight Sassafrass'.
One of the best things about this forum are the knowledgeable folks here.
 
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Off topic, sorry.
I sometimes spray my locks on the cars with wd40 to keep them from freezing.
Maybe I should be using something else. Cb blaster maybe?
Hoping Sassafrass' can weigh in.
Thanks.
Back to regularly scheduled thread.......
 
I know what the locksmiths say, and by no means want to go against any tradesman with 30 years of experience. So I mean no disrespect with the following.

In my experience If I don’t squirt wd40 into locks they stop working after a while.

If I squirt in Wd40 they start to work again and if kept sprayed they work forever after.

There are certainly better oils out there, but I have a never ending supply of free WD40. So it gets used a lot. But I don’t use it on knives or guns.

I think the OP’s knife needs to be flushed out and re-lubed.
 
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Off topic, sorry.
I sometimes spray my locks on the cars with wd40 to keep them from freezing.
Maybe I should be using something else. Cb blaster maybe?
Hoping Sassafrass' can weigh in.
Thanks.
Back to regularly scheduled thread.......

You shouldn't put any type of liquid in a lock. Graphite is the best lubricant for locks. The reason WD40 works the lock is that it's wet, that's why we say spitting on it would be better. There is a product out there that is made specifically for frozen locks. It de-ices them then evaporates leaving the lock dry, then apply graphite. If you keep spraying liquid in them they'll keep freezing. Plus liquid attracts dirt...

Carburator cleaner would work, just watch getting on the paint....

Sorry for the off topic, back to the op original question....
 
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i was meaning on the pivot...What is this frozen lock thing you all are speaking of anyway.

When you live in area's that get below freezing for the winter, any moisture, rain, car wash, or condensation will freeze the tumblers/wafers in the lock and you can't get your key in to unlock the door...
 
I use it to flush every 110 out especially Automatics. Seems to do a decent job of breaking up the polishing compound. I clean the WD40 out with soap and water. Then blow dry and 1 drop of oil on the pivot then wipe away any excess.
 
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