The dry friction prevents roll back, I don`t have that problem, but without anti roll back lugs, I would think the lube makes it easier to roll back out !!

I use a drop or two of Mineral oil

I never lubricate tension rods. The threads of the rods are meant to grip inside the ferules, lubricating them is counterintuitive. You only want to lubricate -moving parts- not parts you don't want to move at all. :2Cents:

John

John...Every time you tune a drum is the tension rod not moving?.When you change heads the rods are backing out then re entering the lug.I also notice a huge difference in the tuning range when there is a little lube used..I suppose this could be the case more for vintage drums because thats what i use....Im interested in knowing what you mean when you say these parts aren,t moving.

I use a general purpose grease. Lubricating the tension rods does two things:

1 It makes the drum easier to tune because it reduces the friction of the metal to metal contact of the threads under tension.

2 Grease as opposed to a liquid lube, actually makes it a little harder to turn due to it's viscosity. Keeping them greased will actually help them stay in tune a little better. Probably very slightly but try finger loosening a clean dry tension rod vs a greased one. The dry one will spin right out whereas the greased one will have more resistance.

Another example is on a ball bearing. If it has no seals, which cause friction, and you clean all of the grease out, and you can spin it very easily and for a long time but put grease in it and it won't spin at all under it's own weight.

^^^This is what I believe as well.

I use White Lithium Grease for Lubricating most all of my parts now. It comes in an aerosol can with a thin applicator tube (like most spray lubes) it goes on very thin but sets up & is sort of tacky when completely set. Never had any issues with the backing out thing...but I no longer play with marching sticks! LOL!

Bad wording is all... I meant; parts you -don't- want moving. I want the rods to grab a bit inside the ferule. If I slick them up with lube they'll back out easier... no resistance.

That's what I meant to say. Sorry for confusion.

John

I wont speak for John but think of it like the idle screw on a carb.,...once set you don`t want it to move in or roll back out. The dry friction will not let the screw move. I have lugs with flats on the shaft with a wire ring to prevent movement after setting the screw,.....I can lube them to make it easier to turn but they wont move once set !!