Re: cleaning a ballscrew

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "jagco1998" <jagco1998@y...> wrote:

> I was referring to the grime thats inside of the ballnuts , as they
> seem to be sticking(usually you can hear the ballbearings rolling
> when you turn a ballnut)

I had the same problem with some used Warner's I salvaged off of some
equipment. I put them under power (I used a VSR cordless drill to
turn the screws) and first slapped on some Lithium grease...that
didn't free them up completely. I then took a cup of mineral spirits
(paint thinner) and a 1" wide disposable paintbrush and started
flowing the thinner in front of the ball nut as it ran along the
screw. Back and forth several dozen times until the thinner was
clear after the ballnut passed over it. I then used the Lithium
Grease again and made sure it stayed white. You may have to go
through several cycles. They also make a special spray lubricant for
cleaning bearings that I used to use on the bearings of router bits
(laminate trimmers) after they get gunked up with glue and dust.
Pretty good stuff.

I did have to remove two of the ballnuts and transfer them to another
screw. I carefully covered the ballnut with a plastic baggie as it
came off the end of the screw and puked out all of its balls (no
comments on my language skills!). After a careful cleaning I sat
down at my electronics bench with a piece of light colored material
that would retain the balls if I dropped one. Using a magnifying
light and small needlenose pliers, I proceeded to re-populate the
ballnut. It was a tedious process and I won't go into all the
details, but the trick is to work on one section (if you have a
double return ballnut) at a time. Clean, thick grease helps as you
do the final balls and fill up the return tube prior to putting it
back together. You have to work the balls into the spiral grooves
one at a time and completely fill them up. I dropped on of the tiny
ball bearings and it bounced off the bench. It took 15 minutes on my
hands and knees searching until I found it.