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SoliForum - 3D Printing Community → Solidoodle Discussion → Oil? Grease?
So what should I use to lubricate bearings and such on my SD4? I've got two notable failures so far:
Evinrude Triple Guard grease thickens up and increases friction after using for a month or so.
Militec oil causes printed parts to crack after a week or so. I've got some new parts I printed, used Militec to keep the screws from binding in the inserts as I installed them, and they cracked just sitting on the shelf awaiting installation.
What does everyone else use?
Thanks!
If you are using linear bearings you should not need lubrication on the X or Y rods. It will just jam them up, especially the cheap ones.
Right, but there are 3 bushings on the X rod, there are free-wheeling belt wheels on X and Y belts, , pushings on the Z stabilizaiton rods, and I assume the threaded Z rod needs some kind of lubrication...
I would go with a light way oil if you can get it. Something like Vactra 2 would definitely work, just a very light coating.
of course, it's hard to justify spending $60 for a 5 gallon jug of something. I would think any light hydraulic oil would work as well. The only thing I worry about lubing is the Z rod, and that's because I had binding issues in the past.
I would go with a light way oil if you can get it. Something like Vactra 2 would definitely work, just a very light coating.
of course, it's hard to justify spending $60 for a 5 gallon jug of something. I would think any light hydraulic oil would work as well. The only thing I worry about lubing is the Z rod, and that's because I had binding issues in the past.
i use a couple drops of 3-in-1 oil (cheap) on the outer bushings of the Y drive rod, and a drop or two on the main rods for my linear bearing carriages about once a week (wipe down the rod with a lint free cloth to remove dust/debris and re-oil - I live on a gravel road in the country - very dusty!), and white lithium grease (also relatively cheap) for the other items on an "as needed" basis.
We use white lithium grease.
i got a small bowl of corn oil and a paint brush and painted my rods with the corn oil. it quiet down my linear bearings very effectively.
ghost over time that oil may dry and cause the bearings to seize due to the particles as it hardened and flaked
ghost over time that oil may dry and cause the bearings to seize due to the particles as it hardened and flaked
Highly unlikely I have used everything under the sun and never had that happen. The key is to use a very thin oil if any at all.
I was recommended sewing machine oil. That is what I use.
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It's kind of tempting to use vegetable oil for lubricating door hinges and other similar basic mechanisms around the house - vegetable oil is readily available in almost any household. However I always hear it's a bad idea, but could never find any details of why exactly it is a bad idea.
What exactly happens if I use vegetable oil for basic mechanisms lubrication?
Vegetable oil will gum up, attract dirt and dust, and eventually end up a huge mess. DO NOT use it.
Mineral oil is a food-safe oil not normally used as a cooking lubricant, but it is the go-to for replenishing woods and lubricating mechanical parts of cooking utensils. It won't gum up, and is OK to use in a pinch.
Most machine oils are a bit thin; they'll get into crevices like in door hinges, but they're lighter-weight and more volatile, and will eventually evaporate or work their way back out.
Silicone sprays are great for metal-on-metal, but they are incompatible with some plastics, so read the label carefully.
If you can take the mechanism apart without destroying it, I would recommend a silicone grease out of a tube, such as Dow-33 (available under many different brand names; you'll most likely find it as a pneumatic tool lube because it doesn't hurt o-rings). It is nonreactive with all plastics and metals, and is a thick-ish grease which stays where it's put. A little dab'll do ya. Only trouble is you have to be able to apply it directly to the surface to be lubricated; it doesn't wick into crevices like an oil or spray lube.
there are other answers and i have used corn oil to clean paint brushes and found while it will clean oily substances it will leave solids behind
Hmm
so the best lube ?
I think one of the keys here is availability. and price.
the other key is keep the rods and screw clean. clean amply a light coat of lube repeat as needed.
Light oil/ mineral oil : starret instrument oil / way oil and hydraulic oil are all mineral oil base with some additives.
Norton brand knife honing oil is a pharmaceutical grade mineral oil.
So very available under many labels and cost will vary depending on if you buy a few once container a gallon or a 5 gallon bucket.
Lucas brand white lithium grease a few dollars for 8oz at home auto parts stores have tiny tubes for almost the same money.
Krytox grease is available if you know where to look but expensive to buy.
as near as I can tell 3in one oil and sewing machine oil are about the same thing light naphtha paraffin oils.
Silicone grease and oil is used for airsoft guns and i imagine a bunch of other things.
so the take away here is if you have other hobbies you likely have some good quality lube on hand. If not the home depot or local hardware store has an ample supply.
Tin
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