Hi guys,
I got these two tubes of Lithium based grease. Which one should I use for my linear rails?
Thx in advance!
#What grease to use for Linear Rails
willow coyote
tidal fog
What Hiwin says about lubricating their linear rails:
https://www.hiwin.com/wp-content/uploads/lubricating_instructions.pdf
(your rails may or may not be Hiwin, but if it isn't that seems to be the brand all the noname ones are copying)
It says this:
"Lubricants containing MoS2 or graphite must not be used."
which means don't use the LM47 grease. I think it's because while many bearings are hardened, these rails are not and will slowly wear away from those particles. (How slowly? Weeks? Years? Centuries? No idea 🤷 )
It also says "HIWIN linear guideways can be lubricated with grease, low-viscosity grease or oil, depending on
the specific application", which suggests lithium grease should be fine. That's what I've been using, and it seems to be doing well.
The "depending on specific application" is a kind of wide target. But as far as linear rails go, 3d printers are a pretty low-load but high-speed scenario, so a lighter grease feels like it makes sense.