Wd40 or similar penetrant instead of oil. They are so fine on a molecular level that they will squeeze into the tiniest gap if you give it a couple of hours, at least.
I do know liquid nitrogen works well for this sort of thing, so putting it in the freezer in your kitchen inside a plastic shopping might make enough of a difference. That is what I would try.


Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!