I know I'm digging up a bit of an old thread, but I recently purchased a set of Golden Age F-style tuners and found them overall a bit stiff as well, and I decided to use a technique that I normally do on new, stiff upright bass tuning machines. Before I installed them on the mando, I brush on a little lapping compound (1200 grit) and give them a spin with a power drill for a few minutes. That seems to induce just enough wear to help them break in and turn more smoothly. I then clean out the compound with window cleaner and hit the machines with just a touch of oil, that seemed to do it, we'll see how they perform.
I also found the Golden Age black plastic factory knobs very cheesy and cheap looking as well. I ordered the Waverley-style ebony knobs from Stew-Mac and they're a perfect fit, just a little tricky to get the originals off as they're on there snugly.
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