Lubrification

[tomahack]

I own a brand new Alpha BT32. Do I have to lubricate the rails or they are already lubricate at the factory? Got a strange noise kind of stuttering on the x rail.

[sawdust535]

Jean
My BT32 came lubricated. You should get some lube on your fingers if you run them along the rail. I still applied another coating after the first few hours of use to make sure.

[dray]

I use heavy axle grease and run it back and forth about 20X then clean up any drips etc.

[myxpykalix]

When i got my prtalpha i got a big tube of black grease (looks like axle grease) with mine. I think in this case you can't overdo it. I have several tshirts with black "teethmarks" on them.

[paco]

You should lube the racks and pinions (Xs, Y and Z - lightly) but you shouldn't lube the rails at all.

[sawdust535]

I need to get my terminology right. Paco is right, you shouldn't lube the rails.

[harryball]

I put T9 on the rails for my PRT Alpha, not so much with the intent of lubrication but it stops rust.

I use a motorcycle chain lub on the rack and pinion.

/RB

[tomahack]

Racks and pinions feels dry. No stains whatsoever on fingers. Could it be possible that there is no grease at all?! I will apply the black lithium grease anyway.

[rhfurniture]

Why should you not lube the rails? I have oil wipes on mine, they stay nice and clean and work really well - the oil helps to keep the sawdust wiped away. Before I did this I got little packed blobs of sawdust that needed cleaning off. Also the Hepco (UK BWC distributors) literature seriously recommends it for life and performance.
If there really is a reason (besides the chance of getting marks on your shirt) not to oil the rails I would like to hear about it.

[dubliner]

I would tend to agree with Ralph. Metal to metal is never brilliant unless youre welding. What do you mean by "oil wipes" exactly Ralph? & no this isn't a case of "Us foreigners sticking together " Gabriel where are you??

[paco]

I agree. Oil or a rust inhibitor on the rails is a good idea but then a wiper system of some sort is almost a necessity. Without it (wiper), the dust would accumulate faster than if there was no oil. Whenever required, I clean my rails manually with rags and paint tinner (very light oil).

Jean, you definitely want to lube your racks and pinions with just enough grease. Just a film but regularly. On the subject; may I suggest to have a set of replacement pinions handy. Those are consumables.

[tomahack]

My point Ralf is to know if the racks&pinions are lubricated at the factory. If it is, I don't see the need of lubricating a new machine a second time. Like changing the oil of a brand new car. Anyway, I have to buy a new toothbrush now.

[rhfurniture]

Like this:

8491 or homemade:
8492
Hepco catalog:
8493

[Gary Campbell]

OR on the PRS style Gantry:
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/messages/312/23407.html

[scottbot]

I've got a couple of shirts and a pair of pants with the black greasy teeth marks.

Chain lube.
Brilliant!

Scott