Need lubrication? Super Lube to the rescue.
One challenge in 3d printing is lubrication. This challenge can be an increasing problem as the printer ages. I bought this product to lube my Prusa printers. My oldest printer is beginning to make a lot of noise and it is 3 years old. I also started to get some weird crash warnings when the print nozzle did not hit anything. I would prefer not to replace the bearings and rods so I should I would give this a try. I have used Super lube’s products in rocket motors for years. Although I was hesitant to because a lot of 3d printer enthusiasts suggested using it so I ordered Super Lube 51004 Synthetic Oil with PTFE from Amazon.
The lubricant has a viscosity similar to that of cooking oils such as canola oil. The process was quick and the applicator is very convenient.
Application: I found it easier to just put it on my gloved finger and apply it by hand. I started slowly by lubricating a single printer and waited 2-3 weeks to observe the changes. I applied a small drop on all of the rods. I then move the print along the full length of the rod to ensure that it was spread somewhat evenly.
I will be documenting the effects of this lubricant as weeks go by and record sound tests on a weekly basis to see the effects and wear overtime of the lube inside my switches to really test them. If you are interested in checking that out, see Switch and Click on YouTube. I’ve recently gotten a hold of Krytox 205g0, Tribosys 3203, and Tribosys 3204 for comparison as well in the future.
Results:
- Quieter: After a few minuets of use, there was a noticiable change in sount in my printer room.
- Smoother movement: No more mystery crashes and I think the printer move smoother.
- Print quality: Think I am seeing less rinign on the prints. Time will tell. Bags are clear to promote easy monitoring of the humidity indicator cards.
Rating:
- Quality: 5/5
- Price: 5/5
- Ease of use: 4/5
- Overall: 4.5/5
The bottom line:
This stuff simply works. Great stuff! I would strongly recommend it. Now it is time to apply it to all my printer’s mechanical parts.
Purchase from Amazon: Super Lube 51004 Synthetic Oil with PTFE from Amazon.