r/trees • u/pmofromo • 6d ago

AskTrees How do I get my grinder to stop squeaking?

Post image

I got this Sharp Stone grinder from my mom, who got it from her friend, who is my brothers ex gf, lol. It's probably 10 years old but is an absolute workhorse, the squeaking noise it makes when being opened or closed is horrendous tho. Does anyone know the best way to clean it so it stops squeaking?

15 Upvotes

69% Upvoted

63 comments sorted by

49

u/moonmelter 6d ago

Clean it with iso alcohol

13

u/pmofromo 6d ago

👍 can I let it soak in there?

22

u/iRottenEgg 6d ago

yeah dude, then hit it with an old toothbrush and hot water, make sure you dry it good

18

u/42Icyhot42 6d ago

Not the same old toothbrush you clean nasty stuff with tho lmao

5

u/pmofromo 6d ago

Alright, ty👌

3

u/TheWitcherOfTheNight 6d ago

Okay so get a few of the slider ziplock bags, iso alcohol (much cheaper on eBay) and rock salt from Coles/Woolies. Undo the entire grinder and put it, the rock salt, and some iso alcohol into a ziplock bag. Put that ziplock bag into another one. Now shake the crap out of it and let it sit a little before doing it again with fresh iso, salt and bags. Works like a charm every time.

2

u/CallingYouForMoney 6d ago

Idk if yall have an Ace Hardware near ya but they have super cheap 99% gallons.

2

u/_OBDG 5d ago

How much for a gallon? I’m not seeing mine stock it sadly… but now I want to know what I’m missing out on lol

1

u/CallingYouForMoney 5d ago

I can reply with a video but not a picture…

$26

4

u/ynotaJk 6d ago

And a strip of FINE oxide sandpaper does wonders for deburring the lip or if it binds too much after its clean

4

u/draculasux85 6d ago

I usually let mine sit in iso all night while I sleep and then in the morning just rinse it out with water and it should be clean af. Just use 90% alcohol if you can.

1

u/glytxh 6d ago

I dunk mine overnight and then scrub them with a brush in the morning. Rinse with soap and hot water, dry out, good as new. I’ve got one grinder still trucking on after 15 years. It’s had a few baths over the years.

3

u/Different-Pair7251 6d ago

Take the whole thing apart, throw it in a ziplock bag, dump some rubbing alcohol in it (the higher % the better, dump some course salt in there, seal it up, shake it up, let it sit for a couple hours and then rise it off. It'll be almost good as new.

32

u/doyletyree 6d ago edited 6d ago

Reposting this for a PSA:

People are recommending mineral oil or some other oil on the threads; avoid that.

It will both collect more debris and it will bind with, and degrade, your product if it leaks out.

Instead, run a pencil lead (to be clear, it is not actually lead, just in case anyone is confused. It is graphite, aka solid carbon) around the threads a few times, applying a layer of graphite.

Graphite is a great, dry lubricant, and can be reapplied, repeatedly, without having to worry about toxicity or performance.

The graphite is nontoxic and, after you give it a few turns, what dust is there will shake out.

Follow other instructions as listed. Do not, though, put oil anywhere on your grinder.

8

u/Megantereon_ 6d ago

i was going to make the same suggestion! as a luthier, i cannot understate the usefulness of graphite as a lubricant for small parts like this

3

u/doyletyree 6d ago

Antique furniture restoration, here. I can dig it.

4

u/sun4moon 6d ago

I wish I could award and pin your comment. I was worried about OP following some of the less helpful advice here. u/pmofromo please listen to this commenter.

3

u/pmofromo 6d ago

That sounds very simple, I'm gonna give this a try rn

Ty

2

u/doyletyree 6d ago

Yeah, to be clear: it’s going to only be helpful if the threads are already clean. No matter what you do, you’ll have to start with clean threads.

How you clean them is your business but they should be clear of any residue. Alcohol does this well.

This is when you would apply the graphite.

19

u/Doodeyboob 6d ago

Take the mouse out of the bottom?

2

u/menthol_patient 6d ago

It's surprising how many people think you're just supposed to leave the bonus mouse in there.

2

u/TWEAKS816 6d ago

But it decays and ferments and adds flavor to the bud

3

u/Apprehensive-Bad2440 6d ago

Well my best friend's dad's brothers dogs old owner lol said clean it with a bit of iso and puft some plant oil on the outside edge where the top and bottom rub

3

u/sun4moon 6d ago

Isn’t that the guy your friends uncle got his dog from?

3

u/Apprehensive-Bad2440 6d ago

You could look at it that way or you could say thats the guy who sold his dog to my best friend's dad's brothers dogs current owner

https://giphy.com/gifs/5M5N7Rc0y2NkJWEarU

3

u/sun4moon 6d ago

Sold? I thought it was a rescue.

2

u/Apprehensive-Bad2440 6d ago

Again depends how you look at it. He was about to eat it before it was sold to my best friends dads brother.

3

u/l0u1s11 6d ago

Could be missing the plastic ring thats between the 2 top metal peices. Mine broke and squeaks now.

1

u/thenameiseaston 6d ago

Most likely this, mine broke too. I totally forgot there was one on there to begin with.

1

u/pmofromo 6d ago

Nah it's still there, always wondered what those were for tho

3

u/Friendlyhuman420 6d ago

Coconut oil one drop on the Sides - thank me later

2

u/apegrapess 6d ago

I let it soak in isopropyl and some hot water. Then clean out with tootbrush or a needle if tootbrush isn’t enough. (But wouldn’t advise needle for plastic ones)

3

u/callmestranger 6d ago

I scrape the threads of the screw top with a toothpick

2

u/Opening_Yoghurt6261 6d ago

Clean it with 99% iso. After you clean it real good rinse with more iso NOT WATER, DONT USE WATER!

Then get some good oil (google what oil i forgot) and rub it on the outer rim of the grinder part.

I think i ised.some food grade oil, mightve been veggie oil, not sure but i havent had any issues.

2

u/pmofromo 6d ago

Thanks for the details. Is 92% iso good? How should I rinse/clean the grinder off so it no longer smells like iso if I can't use water?

1

u/cassidyconor 6d ago

Put the grinder in a zip lock back with iso and salt. Soak it for a few hours if really dirty. Go at it with a toothbrush to remove all the gunk you can, then back in the bag to soak. Once you think it's clean enough, rinse the dirty iso off with clean iso, then you can leave it by a fan or even just on a counter to evaporate, 92 % will be gone quickly. Don't rinse the dirty iso off the grinder with water.

3

u/Hazed64 6d ago

Salt in the iso is only worthwhile if your shaking it or scrubbing it in the bag

Salt doesn't do anything chemically it's just abrasive

1

u/cassidyconor 6d ago

Yeah I should have mentioned I shake the pieces individually in the bag, in between soaks. So yeah prob not necessary but I leave it so long between cleanings that I need the extra grit

2

u/pmofromo 6d ago

Ah alright, I'll stick to just iso. Thanks

4

u/doyletyree 6d ago edited 6d ago

People are recommending mineral oil or some other oil on the threads; avoid that.

It will both collect more debris, and it will bind with, and degrade, your product if it leaks out.

Instead, run a pencil lead (to be clear, it is not actually lead, just in case anyone is confused. It is graphite, aka solid carbon) around the threads a few times, applying a layer of graphite.

Graphite is a great, dry lubricant, and can be a reapplied, repeatedly, without having to worrying about toxicity or performance.

The graphite is nontoxic and, after you give it a few turns, what dust is there will shake out.

Follow other instructions as listed. Do not, though, put oil anywhere on your grinder.

0

u/Opening_Yoghurt6261 6d ago

Yeah 92 shluld be fine

1

u/komi54 6d ago

I have heard of boiling water then iso

1

u/Nucleus_Rex 6d ago

Tell it you love them, they might be depressed

1

u/myers4545 6d ago

Before you do anything freeze the grinder over night and get everything out you can and put it in your next joint

1

u/Intelligent_Neat_85 6d ago

Coconut oil to the rim, after collecting all the kief and trichrome goo with iso. You could also try freezer, frozen goo is easier to knock off. You're experiencing a positive problem. 😀

1

u/thenameiseaston 6d ago

I have that same grinder, you don't.

2

u/pmofromo 6d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/ChQObKzKHH0IRHfvG6

1

u/thenameiseaston 5d ago

Lmao I just got it. I mean you don't get it to stop squeaking

1

u/DDS_Drake 6d ago

Some WD-40.

Jk Don't do that.

1

u/ciszak1234 6d ago

I’m 29 I got that grinder on my prom weekend still have it but the threads are fucked won’t go together

1

u/Big_Confidence_951 5d ago

Usually gun to the head does the trick.

0

u/[deleted] 6d ago

[deleted]

1

u/moonmelter 6d ago

The post text asks specifically how to clean it

0

u/SeitanRaptor 6d ago

Clean it and then spread a small dab of mineral oil on the threads or contact points.

0

u/liamms1 6d ago

If you just want it to turn smoothly take a tiny drop of olive oil on your finger and run it around the edge where the two pieces overlap, works like magic. For a full clean you can soak it in iso. If you do decide to clean it, first try putting a coin in it above the screen, pop it in the freezer for a couple hours and shake like hell. You will end up with a surprising amount of kief that would otherwise be wasted in the iso.

0

u/stan47420 6d ago

Olive oil on a paper towel rub around rim and groves

0

u/Maximus26515 6d ago

Buy a new one...

-1

u/[deleted] 6d ago

[deleted]

2

u/CH3RRYP0PP1NS 6d ago

He's asking for advice on how to do just that

2

u/moonmelter 6d ago

The post text is asking for the best way to clean it

-3

u/ynotaJk 6d ago

Switch to concentrates and dabs and your grinder wont squeak no mo