Initial lubrication?
Just assembled an i3 MK3S from kit, had no major issues apart from some minor warping of the frame that seems to have gone away as I completed assembly (the calibration reported that the axes were perpendicular), and I've been reading up on maintenance while printing a treefrog...
The printer came with a tube of lubricant, and the manual recommends applying the included lubricant to the rods periodically. It also recommends applying lithium grease to the Bondtech gears and the needle bearings, and there is a maintenance article on doing so.
The Prusa lubricant is marked only "PRUSA lubricant". Is this lithium grease, suitable for the Bondtech gears?
The assembly instructions did not include any instructions to lubricate those parts that I can find. It does say parts are pre-lubricated, but I'm uncertain if that actually extends to the Bondtech gears...there were no visible signs of grease.
RE: Initial lubrication?
No clue on what Prusa is supplying today - my printer had no tubes of grease. But if they shipped it, it is probably safe to use.
Actually, most bearing manufacturers recommend packing the bearings with lithium grease before mounting on rods. That's why they have grease seals - to keep the grease inside where it can help. Putting grease on the roods after installation ... well ... the grease seals work to keep grease (and dirt) out, too. No clue why Prusa fights this industry recommendation. Worse, the lubricant Prusa says is on the bearings is generally accepted as an anti-corrosion oil applied by the manufacturer. Not anything a person would want to use as a lubricant.
Any auto parts or hardware store has tubes of Grade 2 White Lithium Grease for about $5. Grade 2 SuperLube also works, though the PTFE is a bit controversial on small bearings.
When greasing the Bondtech, use a small brush and apply a thin film of grease to the large idler teeth. It will work its way to the driven gear teeth.
RE: Initial lubrication?
Seems to be a new addition to the kits and store:
https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/i3-accessories-mk3s-mk25s-etc/968-prusa-lubricant.html
Interesting they still note the shipping lubricant is fine.
RE: Initial lubrication?
First thing I printed was the Superlube bearing adapter and cap. Not that I plan on using them any time soon - but they are ready!
RE: Initial lubrication?
Well, I've lubricated the rods with the mystery Prusa lubricant (which is not white lithium grease, but something that resembles petroleum jelly in color), and went out and bought a tube containing at least 3 lifetime supplies of white lithium grease for the extruder gears, which I applied with a toothpick mashed flat into a tiny spatula. The rods remain greasy, the grease seals on the bearings don't remove the grease film from them, you just don't have a reservoir of replacement grease within the bearings. Will do the bearings properly if I ever rebuild and replace them.
RE: Initial lubrication?
White grade 2 synthetic looks a lot like petroleum jelly. I use SuperLube... also mostly clear.
RE: Initial lubrication?
I did smear some Superlube on the rods, but it really did not help bearing noise.
I will do a proper teardown soon. Maybe when I print that improved X belt tensioner... The thing calls to me.
RE: Initial lubrication?
Misumi bearings if bought from a supplier will normally come pre-packed with grease. I'm not sure what the kits are shiped with now but the old none misumi bearings were supplied with anti rust oil on and needed to be cleaned and greased or oiled.
The misumi bearings are also lifed bearings so no need to clean or grease, lol.
I prefer to oil the bearings then re oil the rods during use and the strip and clean after a few months. I may try grease as per the misumi recomended spec at some point as it should reduce the small amount of rattle the oiled bearings can have during use.
I have read a few articles about not using PTFE type lube, someting to do with the particles in the lubricant not good for rod bearing setups
RE: Initial lubrication?
I purchased two sets of genuine Misumi rods and bearings recently. The bearings were not pre-greased and only came with shipping protection lubricant. I washed all of them out with isoprop and regreased with Superlube.
RE: Initial lubrication?
Misumi bearings if bought from a supplier will normally come pre-packed with grease. I'm not sure what the kits are shiped with now but the old none misumi bearings were supplied with anti rust oil on and needed to be cleaned and greased or oiled.
The misumi bearings are also lifed bearings so no need to clean or grease, lol.
I prefer to oil the bearings then re oil the rods during use and the strip and clean after a few months. I may try grease as per the misumi recomended spec at some point as it should reduce the small amount of rattle the oiled bearings can have during use.
I have read a few articles about not using PTFE type lube, someting to do with the particles in the lubricant not good for rod bearing setups
Not really- if you order the grease packed versions (there are three types of grease they use) they come greased, but only if you order them that way. Generally, their bearings come with a shipping oil that must be cleaned and replaced with grease. Most folk just order the LMU8 (no grease) for their printers.
RE: Initial lubrication?
Bearing noise is rarely perceptible for mine, the loudest things by far are the fans, motors (mainly with certain specific types of motions), and belts. I'd like it to *stay* quiet, but my main concern is to prevent early wear.
RE: Initial lubrication?
Hey, a lot of people say things on this topic like "I used super lube"...can you please specify which one, they have many products and several synthetic greases that are quite different in compatibility with other plastics. And the product prusa is selling is petroleum based?!
RE: Initial lubrication?
I used this! 
during the build of my latest Mk3S
and I used this
during the build of My previous Mk3
during the build of my first Prusa (Mk1) about 6 years ago
I used LM2 Grease
that printer was upgraded to Mk2 still with LM2 Grease and is still running...
I have built two other printers, a Geetech Prusa i3, I don't recall but it was probably LM2 Grease
and a FrankenPrusa Mk2/Mk3 hybrid, that was built with SlugSlime Oil in the bearings,
All of my printers are still running...
If you already have a suitable Superlube, there is no harm using it,
If not Other Lubes will work quite happily.
Why did I use different Lubes.... Because they were handy, at the time...
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Initial lubrication?
Thanks for the tips! I ended up ordering this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XBH9HI/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1, it's the "MULTI-PURPOSE SYNTHETIC GREASE WITH SYNCOLON® (PTFE) - 21030", with full data here: https://www.super-lube.com/multi-purpose-synthetic-grease-with-syncolon-ptfe-21030. Still unsure what's most appropriate, but this one is silicone free, synthetic, and has the PTFE particles, it seems most compatible with most things and great properties overall. Who knows, but it's better than the nothing that's on there now I suspect...
RE: Initial lubrication?
...actually, I confused even myself researching this...actually this one is not compatible with rubber, but most everything else.