Graphite Tests - Hob-e-lube, Hodges, and Max-V-Lube Graphite

[davem]

Here are my test results comparing Hob-e-lube, Hodges, and Max-V-Lube.

Summary,
Hodges beats Hob-e-lube.
Adding Max-V to both Hodges and Hob-e-lube further increases performance.
Best results are with Hodges graphite, with Max-V-Lube added after the Hodges.

Equipment
Track - 48 foot Aluminum Freedom track, micro Wizard timer with mechanical start switch.
Car - 143 grams, 3 wheel RR, no rear canting.
Wheels - 1.0 gram Awana Speed Wheels (by DerbyWorx) - One set used for Hob-e-lube, a second set used for Hodges
Axles - Awana axles with 1/8 inch groove at the axle head to remove fillet, axle head chamfered. Polished with Micro Mesh MX and Mothers

Test Procedure
1. Wheel set 1 lubed with Hob-e-lube. Spun / ground in with paper shaft (per Hodge's instructions).
Wheel set 1 installed on car.
Car run 4 times (same lane)

2. Max-V-Lube puffed into axle holes (without removing wheel set 1).
Car run 4 times (same lane)

3. Wheel set 2 lubed with Hodges. Spun / ground in with paper shaft (per Hodge's instructions).
Wheel set 2 installed on car (after removing wheel set 1).
Car run 4 times (same lane)

4. Max-V-Lube puffed into axle holes (w/o removing wheel set 2).
Car run 4 times (same lane)

Results
Hob-e-lube only
3.645
3.643
3.644
3.657
average 3.647

HEL with Max-V
3.635
3.632
3.638
3.632
average 3.634

Hodges
3.633
3.62
3.628
3.639
average 3.630

Hodges with Max-V
3.611
3.618
3.612
3.622
average 3.616

http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/ ... etests.jpg

[sporty]

is there times / info for max-v only tests?

So non mixing, hodges was the fastest by your testing ?


I've always said hodges was was I use and works well for us. Might have to try the mix process though.

Sporty

[davem]

Did not test Max-V-Lube standalone.

But Hodges standalone is better than Hob-e-lube standalone.

[roosclan]

As far as your "mixing," you basically burnished the wheel with Hodges or HEL and then puffed Max-V in, correct? Have you thought about mixing the two together and then applying it?

If I send you some Pinewood Extreme G/M, would you be willing to test it in the same fashion with the Max-V on top of it?

[davem]

Yes - burnished the HEL and Hodges, and puffed in Max-V.

Did not think of mixing together.
Working hypothesis is that the Graph / Moly lubes adhere to the wheel plastic with burnishing, but the Max-V lube adheres better to the axle metal.

I'd love to give PW Extreme a test. But we won't be setting up the track until next season...
My biggest reason for not testing PW Extreme this time was the expense of buying another set of wheels.

[quadad]

Thanks for posting the test results !! Sorry to bother about this detail, but I haven't ever been able to do a good job with the "puff bottle" type graphite lubes (and couldn't imaging trying to get my kids to do it then). Are you rigging up some type of extended shaft for getting the MaxV lube in, or just pointing at the wheel bore interface, or ... ? I don't understand the reference to axle "holes".

[davem]

A correction.

The Max-V lube was applied by removing the wheels and dumping Max-V graphite into the wheel hubs.

Sorry for the confusion.
The puffing was to get Max-V lube between the wheel hub and axle head.

[Pinewood Daddy]

We've used Hodges the past 2 years. No formal testing but I'm satisfied with the result!

[grifflew]

We found adding Tube 'O' Lube increased our performance after using Hodges to burnish the bore and initial lube as per instructions. Gained an average of almost .01 from Hodges only to Hodges with TOL. In our 8 years of Derbies, I think I prefer Tube O Lube best though I didn't try Max-V lube. Maybe next year for the Pack adult race

Cheers,
Griff

[Pinewood Daddy]

I think 3 years ago I used HOL with TOL applied over it at break in with good results. I stopped doing it when I removed the wheels and found TOL caked in the bores!! I guess I added too much.

[millettbbc]

Thanks for posting your findings, it really helps me answer some questions for our race next year.