[RawhideKid]

Jack, the reason for the 2 brass washers is that they slide on each other to prevent the cork from moving/buckling. IF you feel you need to lubricate them, I would use something very light like hobby oil or 3-in One oil, and be very frugal, you don't want the lube on the cork.

I would say NO lube on the brass rings.

When to go to assemble this, check the orientation of the brass washers, try to place the stamped sides together.

If that doesn't make sense, let me explain. When the rings are made, the machine stamps the rings from one side and will slightly curl up one side of the ring on the side that was facing up in the stamping machine. Now, if you lay the ring down, then turn it over, you will see a slight raise on one of the edges, you can also feel this raise. This is the upper edge of the ring as stamped. So, now you take both rings, and orient them so the raised edge is away from the other ring and this will give you the smoothest surface of each together and decrease the friction while assembling, which will eliminate the need for a lubricant.

I just had another thought. If you really feel the need for a lubricant between the rings, baby powder would be better than an oil based lube.

What ever you do, DO NOT put anything on the cork gasket!!