First Cave Trip of 2009

[Brian Roebuck]

Lynn, our grandson Adam, and I went for a quick New Years Day trip to Cedar Ridge Cave today. All was going fine until we could not unlock the gate! Key went in fine but it would not turn. Change of plans... We then headed back towards home and stopped by Keith Cave. I hadn't been there in ten or more years but managed to find the way to the cave. We headed in and Lynn enjoyed some photography with all of us posing before some formations in the background. Lynn used her remote to shoot the whole group in several shots. The cave is quite decorated and also has many historic signatures inside. It was a fun afternoon of muddy enjoyment for all. What a way to start off 2009!

[Tony Anders]

Glad to see you started off the new year the right way... Mud and all..

[L Roebuck]

We brought in the New Year right!!

I uploaded a few photo's to Flickr!

www.flickr.com/photos/caving/sets/72157612023202255/

Enjoy!

[deepcaver]

I don't know how many members of the Chattanooga Grotto are on this forum that'll read your post Dr. but I'll pass it along to some of the (other) key holders about it and see if there's anything wrong with the lock. It might just need some WD-40 or some other lube to help it open.

[Dane]

Hi Dr Beaner, all.
I'll mention it at the Grotto meeting Monday night. It was acting up the last time I was there (Oct 08), but I guess that cry went unheeded!

In regards to using WD-40 on it, WD-40 is for water displacement (hence the "WD"), and is not primarily a lubricant.
It is useful for cleaning and for removing rust, and it is great for squeaky hinges and a thousand other things, but not for lubricating locks.
A better suggestion would be a teflon-based lubricant.
(some prefer graphite, but it can gunk up in a high moisture environment)


Dane

[deepcaver]

Martha Mills said that she'll be driving by the cave sometime tomorrow (Wendsday) and has a key, she'll check it out as well.

Not to worry Doc, help is on the way.

[madratdan]

The best thing I've found to lube cave locks with i a product called Tri-flow www.triflowlubricants.com/index.html

It's hard to find around here, but worth looking for. WD 40 really collects dust and dirt. It works great for loosening stuff up but not as a permant lubricant. It might help you get the lock open, but in the end will cause more damage than good if you don't clean and lube it with something else.

If it's rust you are trying to eat through, try this stuff called Kroil. You can watch the rust melt before your eyes. www.kanolabs.com/

[deepcaver]

Martha said that she and her S/O managed to get the lock working again, it just needed some oil. Hopefully the managers of the cave will have a better look at it and see if it needs replacement or whatever.

[Brian Roebuck]

Yes Madrat I am familiar with Kroil. Awesome stuff! Absolutely the best for rusty things.

Thanks to deepcaver for sounding the alarm and Martha for loosening up the lock. I usually have something I can squirt into a stubborn lock but not on that trip.

We'll schedule a return trip soon!