A squirt of Ballistol makes the trackball go 'round

[Dave Baker]

I bought a "multi-purpose" product called Ballistol [edited 8/18: was Balliston] Lube to make the squeak go away on my office door (circa 1920), and, in frustration one day after dealing with a sticky trackball that refused to move easily despite cleaning of the removable ball and the points where the ball contacted the case, I squirted a bit of Balliston on the trackball.

Now the thing spins like a globe.

Re-application is necessary from time to time.

My workstation smells a little bit like a mechanic's garage, but the keyboard/mouse manipulator is happier.

[GBurns]

Where did you get it?

[Dave Baker]

Yikes, I spelled it wrong in my initial post -- it's Ballistol, not Balliston.

Details are on the manufacturer's site at http://www.ballistol.com/uses/

[GMK]

What if you already have a can of WD-40?

[Dave Baker]

Ballistol seems to be a competitor of WD-40. The two products seem to incite a bit of a holy war between users:

http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=86546

http://orschiro.blogspot.com/2013/05/ballistol-eco-friendly-wd-40-alternative.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistol

[GMK]

Ah, a "smell similar to black licorice." I may have to buy me a can and try it out.

[BG5150]

Who uses a mouse with a trackball any more?

[GMK]

^ apparently, certain benefits information web site heroes and other cool cats

[Dave Baker]

I use an amazing Microsoft trackball product that is no longer made; one must pay about a hundred bucks to get a used one.