Grease for Shenhui rails?

Hi to all owners of a Shenhui laser,

I need to know what kind of grease do you use for rails?

Thank you for your time
Gabi

I use engine oil.

Hi John,

I was hoping to chime in ... What kind of oil engine?

Thank you
Gabi

Most rail manufacturers recommend lithium soap based grease. I bought Lubriplate 1200-2 on amazon but a quick search only shows cases. You should be able to buy it from most auto parts stores.

We use 3:1 lube oil.

Hi all,
I have been advised to use Vaseline and have been doing this for the last year with good results

White lithium grease like Lubriplate is excellent. If you need a small amount, go to a sporting goods store and buy a tube of grease for fishing reels. That stuff is very good for small sliding and rolling bearings.

Another George agrees with George-go with the Lubriplate-does not attract dirt as much as many oils.

I have some lubricant that comes in a aerosol can that was recommended for my CNC. I don't have it in front of me and I don't remember the name, but it's one of those dry lubricants that doesn't collect dust. Seems to me like you would want that inside a laser with all the various particles that float around in there. Is there any issue with using that in the laser? My manufacturer recommeds the lithium grease so I don't want to go against their recommendations unless I know it won't mess something up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mark Smith61

My manufacturer recommeds the lithium grease so I don't want to go against their recommendations unless I know it won't mess something up.

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I would go with the recommendations of the manufacturer of the rails and not necessarily of the laser manufacturer. The rail mfg should have years of experience with their product and should know how to best maintain it under various conditions. You'll find most rail mfgs recommend lithium soap based grease, not 3-in-1, not vaseline (seriously?), not engine oil.

I am curious. Has anyone tried using Boshield T9 to lubricate things in the lasers like the rails? I assume you do not want stuff to cling to the lubricant over time?

I use it on my wood lathe and love it because it doesn't leave any residue that can come off on my hands and get transferred to the wood. And wood dust and chips don't stick to it. It is quite durable, especially when you consider the lathe head stock and tail stock and banjo are being moved across the rails all the time.

I also use it on my bike chain for the same reasons. Unlike lubricants that stay moist it dries quickly and so dirt and stuff doesn't stick to it.

I also use it on our old boat. A trawler. It protects metals beautifully and doesn't leave things greasy.

You can get it as a liquid, as a pump bottle, and as an aerosol. It is all the same formula however.

Please keep in mind I don't own a laser yet and am asking out of curiosity and not out of oodles of laser experience.

Dave

I use air tool oil, only because I have a lifetime supply of it.

I use white lithium grease on all of mine either in a suspension spray or from a small tube. It's a rolling bearing pressure situation not a metal to metal sliding situation so many lathe oils *may* not be suitable.

cheers

Dave