Re: Lithium Grease

Hi Jon,

That's the funny thing, if I jog at 30IPM - no problem.
Or, if I jog in only one direction at 100IPM - no problem.

I'm using lithium grease because, well it's what is readily available
from the autoparts store and I don't want to run them dry of course.

I hear that mixing lubricants/different types of grease can cause bad
things to happen.

There were a few tiny tiny aluminum flakes (smaller than kids glitter)
when I cleaned up the leadscrew, and I've only been maching MDF, not
metal, so I really don't know what's up.

I've been putting on the grease somewhat heavily...
If I can hear the bearings in the ballnut, I add more until it sounds
smooth. Don't know if this is correct or not, but seems reasonable.

Any thoughts appreciated.
Jim...

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Jon Elson <elson@p...> wrote:
>
> cnc002@a... wrote:
>
> >
> >In a message dated 10/14/2005 2:55:57 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> >jymmm@y... writes:
> >
> >Does anyone know what will dissolve (amber) lithium grease?
> >
> >I have some 24" Thompson ballscrews on my gantry router that were
> >working just fine, and now when just jogging on the left half and ONLY
> >in one direction it'll stall my steppers when jogging about 100 IPM.
> >
> >I can even hear when it's about to stall as it sounds like a ball
> >bearing traffic jam.
> >
> >I suspect something is in the ballnut or blocking one side of the
> >return tube. So need to take it apart but need to clean out all the
> >grease before hand.
> >
> >
> One trick I've used to clean ballnuts in place, when there are a few
> small chips in them, is to lube the screw with some generic grease,
> run the screw through the nut and then wipe the screw as it comes
> out the other end. Then, examine the rag and see the little shiny
> flakes. I have used red axle grease for this, as it allows you to
> see the flakes. Of course, if it is really binding up, you don't
want to
> do any more damage.
>
> Jon
>