Re: Lithium Grease

Hi Carl & Randy,

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.

Someone suggested Charcoal Lighter Fluid and I gave that a shot.
It works surprisingly very well for removing all of the grease.

64 ounces, unscented, from the grocery store: $4

Carb cleaner/engine degreaser/brake cleaner
15 ounces, pretty stinky, and has a 6 foot stream: $5


Originally I was planning on using motor oil, then someone told me that the
detergent will break it down quickly if ever hit with water. I also needed to
get some type of grease for my linear rails (zirk fittings) and I wanted
something I could get easily and lithium grease was the only thing readily
available from most of the autoparts stores, so that's what I went with.

I use it for both the rails and the ballscrews. It may not be the best thing,
but I rather use something a little less perfomance wise that I can pick up
on a sunday if need be.

I have been cutting a lot of MDF lately, the dust does catch in the grease at
the ends of the rails/ballscrews and sorta clumps up. At the end of the day,
I just vacuum these lil lumps up and toss on a lil extra grease if needed.

MDF dust goes EVERYWHERE, par for the course, so I just make sure I put
enough fresh grease on as needed. If this happens too often, maybe I'll have
to look at an alternative lube. Teflon is a dry lube in a spray can, but just
doesn't sound right for ballscrews.

Anyhow... thanks again,
Jim...

> Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2005 18:26:08 -0000
> From: "carlcnc" <carlcnc@...>
> Subject: Re: Lithium Grease
>
>
> > Jim...
> try brake cleaner[aresol] run back and fortha a few times,
> occasionally spraying a bit of the cleaner in front of the nut,then hold
> a brass brush on screw,followed by rag,if it is real stubborn use a
> small tip blow gun aimed at the leading end of the ballnut.
> always works for me!
> if you cut much mdf or pitchy woods,do NOT use wd40 as lube!
>
> Carl

> ________________________________________________________________________
> Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2005 16:56:24 EDT
> From: cnc002@...
> Subject: Re: Re: Lithium Grease
>
>
> In a message dated 10/15/2005 2:30:23 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> carlcnc@... writes:
>
> if you cut much mdf or pitchy woods,do NOT use wd40 as lube!
>
> Carl
> >
>
> Actually, NEVER use WD40 as a lube. It will actually "dry out" the
> natural
> lubricating properties of many metals. It is designed as a
> cleaner/penetrant
> and temporary lubricant only. I have seen machines costing as much as a
> Million dollars shut down over a few months because the maint. people were
>
> cleaning the screws and/or guide rails on them with WD40 and thought that
> was all
> they needed in the way of lubricant. Over the past 20+ years I have been
> doing industrial woodworking machinery installation, repair, service etc.,
> plain
> old 30W non-detergent motor oil or "turbine oil" ( you can often find the
> "turbine oil" in small plastic squeeze applicators at auto stores or
> appliance
> parts stores ) work the best where oiling is required.
>
> Well, my 2 cents worth, hope that helps some.
>
> Oh, and again, mineral spirits should cut that Lithium grease, You might
> need to do some brushing but be careful, NEVER, use a steel brush, always a
>
> brass or just stiff bristled one.
>
> Randy A.
>

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