Homemade Tipup Lube

[20lbSloughShark]

After fiddling with greases and oils for an hour, I think I have come up with something better than frabill sub-zero. The problem has always been that the lube becomes "sticky" when it gets really cold. This year I lubed all the tipups with straight up black automotive grease, and have done ok, but it can become very thick and almost worse than the sticking with the thinner sub-zero. So I made my own out of bearing grease, and gun oil. Its very simple mix together bearing grease (I used hi-temp because I liked the color ) and gun oil (I used hoppes) in a mixture of 1:2. A tablespoon of bearing grease and 2 tablespoons of gun oil will make enough tipup lube for about 2 tipups. The reason I used bearing grease is because it is designed to work as a lube in harsh conditions. I like how the grease is only slightly thicker at -10 as it is at 20 degrees. The gun oil simply thins it out. I have had my tipups sitting outside for 2 hours now, and they still turn as easy as room temperature. I'll leave them out all night to know for sure this is is legit replacement lube.

[20lbSloughShark]

I tried them before I left for work around 5 am this morning and they worked flawlessly. Even after leaving them out all day in the snow, they turn easy and smooth. a mix of 1:2 bearing grease & gun oil makes a great tip up lube!

[Hawg]

I'm a bigger fan of BluLube for that exact reason. I've not been happy with Frabill Sub Zero. How did this get on the northern forum?

[20lbSloughShark]

Where else would i put it?

[TruthWalleyes]

What do you need to lube a tip up for?

[20lbSloughShark]

Grease keeps them turning smoothly, however, I might switch to jack trap style traps which does not need it. The HT polars work (I got them for free), but I can see a lot of advantages of jack traps and heritage lakers.

[TruthWalleyes]

Ok,

I guess i've only owned the cheepo's that don't require it. I also never use them anymore.

[Hawg]

Sorry Slough Shark, I had a brain fart since it was Ice Fishing season and I hang out there so often. Just curious though, have you tried Blu Lube?