Lithium Based Grease  

Re: Lithium Based Grease

I installed 10 Misumi bearings (LMU-N8) last night. Once I got them in, I degreased the "prevent rust oil" (that's what Misumi calls it on the spec sheet) off of them, dried them, then lubricated them with PTFE per here: http://reprap.org/wiki/Lubrication#Linear_bearings

In my case, none of the bearings had play that I could feel, and all of them ran smooth enough that a tilt of the rod sent them to moving. Turning them did have a bit of resistance, which I hear is what you want (means the bearings are engaging the rod).

Re: Lithium Based Grease

This is a popular Lithium-based option:

https://www.amazon.de/WD-40-Specialist-Weißes-Lithiumsprühfett-400ml/dp/B007JI9NWW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522346002&sr=8-1&keywords=wd-40+lithium

I have used it for many different applications and it's worked well. Being pressurized and having the long nozzle gives you the ability to shoot it into tiny openings, like bearing tracks.

Re: Lithium Based Grease

How do I clean the bearings - with the standard WD40?

WD-40 I have found that also myself but was wondering that also for bearings WD-40 is the best option 😀 (I know it`s not the standard WD-40 which can repair everything)

Re: Lithium Based Grease

You can buy Lithium grease in small tube size. It's not like you are going to need a large spray can size.

I just squeezed a pea sized portion of SUPER LUBE in each bearing and used a round toothpick thru the bearing to work it into the bearing. I did not bother to wash them out either.

Re: Lithium Based Grease

How do I clean the bearings - with the standard WD40?

WD-40 I have found that also myself but was wondering that also for bearings WD-40 is the best option 😀 (I know it`s not the standard WD-40 which can repair everything)

Honestly I don't use standard WD-40 for anything. It's not a clean solvent, and it has horrible longevity as a lubricant. About the only thing it's good for is loosening up stuck parts. I definitely wouldn't use it to clean or lubricate your bearings. You want to clean them with a solvent-based degreaser that does not contain any water...like an engine degreaser, or a carb cleaner. Something that will evaporate relatively quickly and cleanly after dissolving the existing oil/grease.

FYI, the spray lithium I linked to above is branded by WD-40, but it's not related to the original product at all. It's a quality sprayable lithium grease.

Re: Lithium Based Grease

It's not like you are going to need a large spray can size.

That depends on how many other mechanical toys you own... works great on door hinges too 😉

Re: Lithium Based Grease

Misumi apparently recommends using kerosene or an ultrasonic cleaner to degrease the anti-rust oil (Apparently, there's a lot of chemicals that will degrade the nitrile seals). Source. I used Lucas Oil 10533 white lithium grease, it has the same NLGI #2 rating that the grease Misumi recommended had (Alvania Grease S2 by Showa Shell Sekiyu). Source

I followed this video for packing the bearings with grease and forcing out the transport oil. Video. It's a bit messy and time consuming, but the end result was very good. I can push the heated bed back and forth with the edge of a zip tie holding it half way up (without the belt on of course). They're very smooth after you work the excess grease out.

Re: Lithium Based Grease

Josh, I think I have written it a litte bit wrong - I don‘t wanna clean the bearings with WD-40 and I know there is a huge difference.
Can you also recommend something to clean the bearings? (European Amazon Link recommended)

Re: Lithium Based Grease

Josh, I think I have written it a litte bit wrong - I don‘t wanna clean the bearings with WD-40 and I know there is a huge difference.
Can you also recommend something to clean the bearings? (European Amazon Link recommended)

From the post above, it sounds like kerosene is the manufacturer's recommendation, but I don't think Amazon is going to ship that to you 😉

I'm not sure what Amazon is allowed to ship in the EU, your options for an industrial grade solvent might be limited through the mail. The closest thing to what I used would probably be something like this…

https://www.amazon.de/gp/aw/d/B017N1YC5M/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&qid=1522363549&sr=8-14&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70&keywords=degreaser

Re: Lithium Based Grease

The one you have linked is not really available for me.

I found this ones - what do you think?

https://www.amazon.de/WD-40-Bike-Kettenreiniger-500-49704/dp/B00U8Y8ZAU/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1522389968&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=degreaser

https://www.amazon.de/Krick-Modelltechnik-Degreaser-Reinigungsspray-Spraydose/dp/B0037Y7D60/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys&ie=UTF8&qid=1522389968&sr=1-2&keywords=degreaser

Re: Lithium Based Grease

The one you have linked is not really available for me.

I found this ones - what do you think?

https://www.amazon.de/WD-40-Bike-Kettenreiniger-500-49704/dp/B00U8Y8ZAU/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1522389968&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=degreaser

https://www.amazon.de/Krick-Modelltechnik-Degreaser-Reinigungsspray-Spraydose/dp/B0037Y7D60/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys&ie=UTF8&qid=1522389968&sr=1-2&keywords=degreaser

Sorry Daniel, I've never used either of those, and I don't know what's in them. I'd be concerned that there might be detergents in them that could remain inside the bearings. You really want as clean of a solvent as you can get.

If you are relegated to Amazon, try searching for carburetor cleaner. Typically these will dissolve oil well and evaporate cleanly, as its generally not acceptable to leave excess residue in a carb.

Re: Lithium Based Grease

Daniel, don't overthink it. You don't need any special cleanser to remove the transport oil.
Just follow the method in this video:

Re: Lithium Based Grease

THanks I will check out the video later and follow that 🙂

Re: Lithium Based Grease

WD-40 attacks some plastics by the way. It will weaken and shatter hard plastics. Might be ok on nylon but I only use WD40 for freeing rusted bits these days.

Re: Lithium Based Grease

WD-40 attacks some plastics by the way. It will weaken and shatter hard plastics. Might be ok on nylon but I only use WD40 for freeing rusted bits these days.

WD-40 is a brand with a range of products including some excellent lubricators. It is no longer a single water-displacement product.

Peter

Re: Lithium Based Grease

WD-40 attacks some plastics by the way. It will weaken and shatter hard plastics. Might be ok on nylon but I only use WD40 for freeing rusted bits these days.

WD-40 is a brand with a range of products including some excellent lubricators. It is no longer a single water-displacement product.

Peter

I see. I've only used the classic blue can so that's a definite no go for plastics.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/wd-40-pocket-size-aerosol-lubricant-100ml/86055?kpid=86055&ds_kid=92700023752935897&ds_rl=1249484&ds_rl=1245250&gclid=CjwKCAjw9e3YBRBcEiwAzjCJuuP1IvB-B0yeCoaORDpIDBgfgR9TdORQCaJF0nXyw-MaFIGxpyAAyRoCO1QQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJ3l5Jqux9sCFc4x0wodWkMF6w

Re: Lithium Based Grease

I believe the WD-40 range varies by country, but this is one of their lubricants: https://www.wd40specialist.com/products/silicone-lubricant/

Peter