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Topic: what lube is safe for ABS/PLA?

I used to build plastic models that had many moving parts and tried a few types of lubes years ago.

some say Mineral oil attacks ABS some how. never had that issue in my experience so dont know details of what it may do.

Olive oil breaks down over time, being a vegetable oil. which was a suggested lube once.

also tried J&J Baby oil which is mostly mineral oil also.

once synthetics came along I tried a couple of them but many have damaging effects of plastics some desolving, some having toxic properties not good for skin contact by children etc.

all lubes tend to attract dust like a magnet and get gummed up over time if exposed surface some discolor etc. or corrode metals in contact with them maybe due to electrolysis.

just wondered if anyone had good results from anything. for making free moving parts stay that way.

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

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Re: what lube is safe for ABS/PLA?

I use white lithium grease by Lucas.  I'm not a chemist, so I can't say what the long-term effects are...it's just what's been working for me.

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Re: what lube is safe for ABS/PLA?

I have never tried it, but I was just reading that dry teflon lube works with ABS (sports and bike shops sell it for bicycle chains).

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Re: what lube is safe for ABS/PLA?

This says it is food safe.
http://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Mold-Rel … B007QF21WM

Ultimaker S3.

5 (edited by n2ri 2014-12-28 05:41:09)

Re: what lube is safe for ABS/PLA?

knowack wrote:

I use white lithium grease by Lucas.  I'm not a chemist, so I can't say what the long-term effects are...it's just what's been working for me.

that is not near smooth enough for plastic parts to glide on. thats used for the sleeve bearings etc.

I am only referring to things like ABS printed functional parts to ease movement that friction of plastic on plastic rubbing cause.

I used to assemble plastic 1/4 scale model visible car engines and chassis which all moving parts functioned as life size, standard 3 speed transmissions, V8 engines with tiny light bulbs as spark plugs which used distributor to light them at proper timing of pistons, valves, cams etc. even working hydrolic drum brakes... many made by an old company long gone 'Renwal" using ABS clear plastic and other colored parts for teaching how things work. just hoping a new better thin lube has been made since then. as some oils etc had UN-desirable effects over a couple years. the brake system had metal springs and rubber seals inside in contact with the oil which ran through small plastic tubing and turned the oil rusty and gummed the rubber. also the plastic got brittle and would break popping small chunks across the room while just being displayed UN-touched for months. this is just a sample of experiences I have with materials we use today. that chassis and engine model cost a couple hundred dollars, had over 2,000 parts and took months to assemble plus was discontinued years earlier when manufacturer shut down. so imagine how I felt when it just self destructed after 5 years or so in custom built display case. I do not want a repeat of that. plus it was injection molded not extruded which is more prone to separation.

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

6 (edited by PheonixSD3 2014-12-29 20:45:23)

Re: what lube is safe for ABS/PLA?

My suggestion would be to look for plain silicone lubricant.

Silicone of 350 cst or greater is FDA grade (used in small quantities in food) and is totally nonreactive and non toxic.  Just make sure to NOT get the curing type.  You want lubricant - not rubber.

Clean up is a bit of a pain though since it doesn't get along with oil or water.  Sufficient quantities of dawn dishwashing soap will eventually get it off of you or your clothes.

plenty of other dependencies though - duty cycle, speed, heat generation, friction surface area, blah, blah, blah

Best luck

SD3, RUMBA, 360W power, ABS: Glass bed + Aquanet Extra Super Hold Hairspray, Anti-backlash Z spanner, Repetier Host + Slic3r