What lubricant should I use?

FuntasticZac · 2015-03-06T04:33:06.000Z

I have a Printrbot Simple Metal, and I need to know what lubricant I should use for the shafts. If you could help me I would appreciate it. Thank You.

MB3D · 2015-03-06T06:46:28.000Z

Standard machine fat would do the job. Just keep in mind to get fat instead of oil. Oil is made for enclosed applications, fat is for bearings etc. that are exposed to the outside. You should find such lubricant in your local hardware store. -Marius

Benji · 2015-03-06T10:02:34.000Z

You can use bicycle oil. That works fine. Don’t use lithium grease because it’s really messy.

Woody · 2015-03-06T10:08:08.000Z

When in doubt the RepRap Wiki is a great reference. No matter what 3D printer you’re using, its roots can be traced to RepRap. Here’s the wiki entry on lubrication: Lubrication - RepRap Good luck.

ianadan · 2015-03-06T10:25:07.000Z

The bearings should be self lubricating. If you feel they need to be lubricated, then a little light oil or lithium grease, but just a touch - too much will cause other issues.

3Dscaleworks · 2015-03-06T11:40:57.000Z

Teflon spray is the best

Munson · 2015-03-06T12:35:40.000Z

I use household lubricating oil.Personally I do not think there is a need for expensive lunricants since there is not enough friction to get the smooth rods or the bearings hot.

Pot8oSH3D · 2015-03-06T12:50:10.000Z

Nice one, Marius.

For sure, your English is far better than my ( German? ) but I had to laugh. I think you mean grease ( schmieren ). Fat is either what you cook with or what you burn at the gym.

Cheers!

AndyL

Pot8oSh3D

MB3D · 2015-03-06T13:05:32.000Z

Yeah, I mean grease. But maybe fat works aswell I was bored in school and thought I’d check 3dHubs. Ja, bin deutscher -Marius

daniel_pointeck · 2015-03-06T13:45:26.000Z

I use “Nähmaschinen Öl” from the Baumarkt

3P3D_Anthony · 2015-03-06T14:06:22.000Z

I use white lithium grease but just a small amount because i think technically the bearings are supposed to be self-lubricating.

Noah · 2015-03-06T14:08:57.000Z

I use Teflon non-stick dry-film lubricant. It’s a dry lubricant so it gets the job done, but doesn’t leave things greasy of the shafts are touched or while applying it.

jaberman · 2015-03-06T15:00:19.000Z

I used wd40 for my printrbot LC and it worked fine. Not sure if you’re supposed to do that though.

RonaldKim · 2015-03-06T15:24:29.000Z

I use the lubricant recommend by Printrbot.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BCVXUVM/ref=oh\_aui\_detailpage\_o03\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

AndyTurner · 2015-03-06T16:19:23.000Z

I use 3-in-1 for my printrbot. Seems to work well. In a general purpose lubericabt. Hope it helps

Nick_Farrow · 2015-03-06T18:44:11.000Z

I would not use anything water based. Search for oil, that could be used on a sewing machine. Some people call it, " machine oil" Do not use WD-40.

Pot8oSH3D · 2015-03-06T19:19:50.000Z

I’m sure fat would work just as well, for a short while. Then it might start to smell :-(( LOL

typo · 2015-03-09T15:28:24.000Z

I would wipe off any oil on the rods since it might tend to collect dust which would be worse than nothing.

Fistoldude · 2015-03-10T15:28:31.000Z

You can go to a local machine shop and request some “Side way Lube” is a high viscosity lube used on the bead of the mills. As previously comment the bearing are self-lubricant. Most important is to keep cover you printer when not in used, due dust in the room. See attached image, clean this accumulated dust with a cloth with some 3-1 oil but only clean the end of the shaft.

Dust.JPG2448×2448 1.01 MB

chorob · 2015-03-21T14:56:52.000Z

Same as RonaldKim, teflon from the link he provided.