Hurdy Gurdy Squeak?

[Apryl Knight]

My gurdy seems to have developed a squeaking/squealing sound when I turn the crank, even though none of the strings are touching the wheel.  Is it a matter of something needing some oil, or might there be another problem that I need to fix?  Ideas, anyone?

Thanks in advance!

Apryl Knight
Music from many times and many lands on WAY too many instruments
http://www.aprylknight.com
http://www.facebook.com/AprylKnightMusician

[Melissa Kacalanos]

Mine did that even when the strings were all truly off, and it was because the axle inside did need oil. I contacted the maker for detailed instructions for how to apply it, and solved the problem. Good luck. 

Melissa

My very out-of-date website:

www.melissatheloud.com

Sent from my iPhone (pardon my brevity). 

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[April Porter]

Melissa, I believe you and I both have gurdies made by Balázs Nagy, yes?  Would you mind sending me the instructions for how to apply the oil?  It might be the same, even though the models are different. My email is apryl_knight at me dot com.

Thanks!

Apryl Knight

Music from many times and many lands on WAY too many instruments

http://www.aprylknight.com

http://www.facebook.com/AprylKnightMusician

[Elizabeth Gilmore]

I have non idea how ton apply boil, I didn't even known you did that...try googling Melissa the loud...she does have one of Nagy Balazs HGS...sorry I'm no help

[Melissa Kacalanos]

I can't find the email at the moment, but as I recall it said this: stand the hg on end, crank up, and apply a very few drops of oil so it runs down the axle, inside the hg. Keep it in that position a little while to give it time to run down. Of course, take great care not to get any oil on the surface of the wheel! I used sewing machine oil, which is what I happened to have. 

I also oil the crank, where the wooden handle joins the metal. I find this essential for smooth, easy playing. 

When that oiling wasn't enough to stop the squeak, Balazs sent detailed instructions for drilling an actual tiny hole in the soundboard a little bit to the left of the wheel, and putting a drop of oil in there. This worked perfectly. But I wouldn't advise doing anything like this without instructions from Balazs specific to that particular hg. 

I'll take this opportunity to say that my hg by Balazs is amazingly rugged, having survived years of hard use, busking outdoors in all weather. Hgs that get less use might not need oil like this. 

Melissa

www.melissatheloud.com

Sent from my iPhone (pardon my brevity). 

[Scott Gayman]

There should be a hole in the soundboard between the wheel and the keybox, apply a drop or 2 there.
Use the oil supplied with the instrument or use a light sewing machine type oil (an oil used on scale model trains was also suggested although I have never used it).
On the rear bearing, hold the instrument head down and apply a few drops to the axle right where it enters the bearing, turn the crank for about 30 seconds. Leave the instrument head down over night and apply a drop or two more in the morning if it is particularly sticky. One or two drops should do it. Don't overdo it.

I have a drop oiler but I was using anything that would retain the oil from the bottle and allow me to apply a drop where I wanted before I bought the oiler. I eventually found that a zip tie had the right shape and the right material to hold the drop long enough to apply it just where I wanted it. Don't use a cotton swab or the tube dropper from the sewing machine oil (unless it is a needle oiler).
Wipe away any excess. It shouldn't damage your finish but it will get all over everything.

If you are interested this is what I use

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000KKHNU0/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1421793688&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&dpPl=1&dpID=31T9ffzsyoL&ref=plSrch

(be aware it gets air locked, about every 10th drop I need to open up and close it again to break the air lock)

Scott

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Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

[Felicia Dale]

This is so weird. I just oiled my Hubbert’s bearings today, crank handle, too.

*Cue spooky music…*

F.