Alright folks, gather ’round! Today I’m spillin’ the beans on somethin’ I’ve been messin’ with for a while: finding the best lubricant for my Addi knitting machine. Let me tell you, it’s been a journey!
It all started when my Addi started soundin’ like a rusty robot tryin’ to do the tango. Super loud, kinda clunky, and definitely not smooth. I knew somethin’ was up. I’d been putting off cleaning and lubing it for too long, I guess.
First, I did what any sane person would do – I hit up YouTube. Watched a bunch of videos, and everyone seemed to have their own “magic” solution. Some swore by sewing machine oil, others by silicone spray, and then there were the folks usin’ WD-40 (which, by the way, is a big NO-NO according to some folks. I avoided it just in case). I even saw one person using olive oil! I knew I wasn’t trying that one.
So, I started with sewing machine oil. It’s what I had on hand. I carefully took the Addi apart (as much as I felt comfortable with anyway – didn’t want to break anything!), cleaned out all the lint and gunk with a soft brush, and then applied the oil sparingly to all the moving parts: the needles, the track, the gears. I worked it in really well by manually turning the handle a few times. Initially, it seemed like a winner! It was quieter for a bit, but after a few projects, the clunkiness came back. Bummer!
Next up: silicone spray. I grabbed a can from the hardware store – the kind you use on squeaky doors. Made sure it was safe for plastic, of course. This time, I sprayed a little bit into a small container and used a tiny brush to apply it to the same areas. It seemed to last a little longer than the sewing machine oil, but I still wasn’t completely happy with the results. Plus, the smell was kinda strong.
Then, I stumbled upon some forums where people were raving about a specific type of lubricant called Super Lube. It’s a synthetic grease that’s supposed to be really good for plastic and metal parts. I ordered a small tube online. It arrived a few days later. Now, this stuff is thick, like petroleum jelly. I used a toothpick to apply a tiny, tiny amount to each needle and the track. Turned the handle a bunch to work it in.
And…drumroll please…it WORKED! My Addi is now running smoother and quieter than it has in ages. It’s been a couple of weeks, and several hats and cowls later, and it’s still going strong. I think the key is to use a really small amount and to reapply it every now and then.
Here’s a quick recap of what I learned:
- Clean your Addi regularly. Lint is the enemy!
- Sewing machine oil is okay in a pinch, but doesn’t last very long.
- Silicone spray is a little better, but can be smelly.
- Super Lube (or a similar synthetic grease) seems to be the winner for long-lasting smoothness.
So, there you have it! My quest for the perfect Addi lubricant. Hope this helps some of you out there with noisy knitting machines. Happy knitting!
