Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant  

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

Posted by: @ali-2

I am trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant ( https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/i3-accessories-mk3s-mk25s-etc/968-prusa-lubricant-005g.html)

This article ( https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/i3-printers-regular-maintenance_2072) recommends:

• Superlube
• GLEIT-µ HF 400
• Mogul LV 2-EP

GLEIT-µ HF 400 and Mogul LV 2-EPare hard to find in my area.

Superlube is known for its Silicon lube, and to my understanding, Silicon lubricants are not good for metal-to-metal applications.
For metal to metal, White Lithium is recommended.

 

Does White Lithium Grease work as well as Prusa lubricant?
How about Sewing Machine Oil like "Singer All Purpose Sewing Machine Oil"?

Hello and welcome to the Prusaforum!

As far as I know, Prusa uses the Mogul LV 2-EP. Why would you want to use something else?

Greases, which would also be well suited:

ADDINOL LM 1 EP

Renolit Duraplex EP 1

But they are also difficult to find in small quantities.

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

@karl-herbert

Hi Kark,

Thank you for help.

Prusa lubricant imposes 800% shipping cost and shipping delay. Mogul LV 2-EP is not available on Amazon.com. 

I think the brands you are referring to are European and not easy to find in North America.

I am trying to fined a lubricant that I can find on Amazon so i can get it immidiately through same day with free shipping.

White Lithium Grease, Silicon lubricant  or Sewing Machine Oil are the most available options in all continents. Would be greate to know if they are safe for Prusa printers maintenace and if the are as good as Prusa lubricant.

Thank you,

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

Posted by: @ali-2

I am trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant ( https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/i3-accessories-mk3s-mk25s-etc/968-prusa-lubricant-005g.html)

This article ( https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/i3-printers-regular-maintenance_2072) recommends:

• Superlube
• GLEIT-µ HF 400
• Mogul LV 2-EP

GLEIT-µ HF 400 and Mogul LV 2-EPare hard to find in my area.

Superlube is known for its Silicon lube, and to my understanding, Silicon lubricants are not good for metal-to-metal applications.
For metal to metal, White Lithium is recommended.

 

Does White Lithium Grease work as well as Prusa lubricant?
How about Sewing Machine Oil like "Singer All Purpose Sewing Machine Oil"?

I have successfully used LM2 Yellow Lithium Grease, 
TF2 White lithium grease and 
Slug SLime Precision oil in different printers. 
and they all seem to work as well as the Prusa White Lithium grease. 

I don't know what grade of white lithium you can get hold of, if it is a light grade, it should work fine, 
If it is a heavy grade, then it may well make the  the bearings drag... which would not be good. 

the Singer oil would almost certainly work, as long  as you are aware that you will have to clean the rods and add oil  more frequently than you would re grease, then, that would be the option I would suggest using.

regards Joan 

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

I've been using Superlube Multi-Purpose Synthetic Grease, at the recommendation of folks here.

Most of the time, every so often, I'll put a drop of generic hardware store synthetic machine oil on each of the rods.  Every so many so-oftens I'll rub a dab of the Superlube on the rods.  The machine has not self-destructed yet, so I must be doing something right.

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

@jsw

Are you refering to this product?

Super Lube 21030 Synthetic Grease PTFE Lubricant Tube:   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VKA1WHO

Do you if that the Superlube product that this page is refering to?  https://help.prusa3d.com/en/article/i3-printers-regular-maintenance_2072)#_ga=2.144119154.613219041.1614458914-607724726.1607791902

If yes, then you solved Prusa's lubricant mystery and the confusion cause by the above article !

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

@joantabb

Is this similar to the White lithium product you had success with: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XY6QKS7

Thank you!

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

@ali-2

I  highly recommend SuperLube.

I use it at work and home for many metal to metal applications and find it hard to beat.

The technical Data sheet is in this page, includes all applications (technical resources > technical Data sheet)

https://www.super-lube.com/multi-purpose-synthetic-grease-with-syncolon-ptfe

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

I was just in this same spot a few weeks ago actually. Misumi has LMU8 part numbers with multiple types of grease applied which makes me think the bearings are not that picky about what they run on:

https://us.misumi-ec.com/pdf/fa/2012/p1_0265.pdf

Since the printer application is not high load or food contact, I tried to find a grease close to their 'G" type which is a lithium grease with a lighter than average base oil (30 cSt). The only thing I could find that was readily available in north america was lubriplate aero:

https://www.lubriplate.com/Products/Grease/Multi-Purpose-Greases/AERO/AERO/

That stuff is available on amazon and mcmaster so it should be easy to get for people in north america. I cant really recommend it since its only been in the printer for a few weeks but so far so good. 

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

@clarmrrsn

Please note that SuperLube is a brand name for a family of the products including the PTFE one that you mentioned.

Initially I was confused which of the SuperLube  products the Prusa article is refering to.

I think this is the right SuperLube  product that Amazon can do free same day delivery:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UKUHXK

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

Posted by: @ali-2

@clarmrrsn

Please note that SuperLube is a brand name for a family of the products including the PTFE one that you mentioned.

Initially I was confused which of the SuperLube  products the Prusa article is refering to.

I think this is the right SuperLube  product that Amazon can do free same day delivery:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UKUHXK

 

 

 2021-03-01-22_41_07-Super-Lube-51004-Synthetic-Oil-with-PTFE-High-Viscosity-4-oz-Bottle-Transluce.png

Ali, I know SuperLube products well, I work for a major printer manufacturer and we use their products widely.

The article refers to Super Lube 210XX.

This is superlube grease with PTFE, and that is what us widely recommended for this task.

Screenshot From the manuf we site. Product code 21010 is 1/2 iz tube 21020 is 1oz tube 21030 us 3oz tube (hence the XX) I got the 3oz tube recently from ebay for £15.

You could use the oil  version, I have used it many times to free up and Lube enclosed type bearings that are failing as a temporary fix, it works well in this respect, but it does not last as long on surfaces. 

New bearings like this *linear, open type" should always have grease applied inside them, if you use oil expect to need to do a lot more regular maintenance as the bars will dry up quickly.

You would not lubricate your car wheel bearings with sewing mc oil or similar 😉

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

@clarmrrsn

Thanks for help.

Do you think this one works as well, since it comes with Synthetic Oil with PTFE:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UKUHXK

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

@ali-2

It will work, but as mentioned before you will need to lubricate the rails far more often as it will dry up quicker, if the bearings run dry you risk wearing the bearings or rails.

I leave it to you, my recommendation would be the SuperLube Grease, it is far more viscous and will stay in the bearings and on the rails for longer.

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

Anyone know if this one is included in the recommendation list?

Super Lube 21030 Synthetic Grease (NLGI 2), 3 oz Tube (2 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WLQ251B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_MJHW4SKGC1WYXK1FNEB0

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

Is that good price? I would have to find a whole new bearing lube attachment for that if it does work... 😫 😫 😫 😫 

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

Pretty standard price.

I paid £15.99 for the 400g tube in the UK,its better value, but probably enough for a lifetime

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

@kjsiderprinter

Superlube is in reommanded list. Make sure it has "PTFE" in it. 

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

@kjsiderprinter

The price fluctuates based on the location. I got 400 grams of Superlube PTFE grease for $15 !!!!

RE: Trying to find an alternative to Prusa lubricant

Which Superlube is the correct recommendation.

21030  Synthetic Grease with PTFE

OR

92003 Silicone Grease with PTFE

OR either