X2 maintainance/lubrication

[Pretorien]

I just took my X2 down for a general cleaning and refurbishing + a revision of the DRO system. It was fitted with the Micro-Mark 20TPI conversion a few years ago and I decided, initially just on speculation, to buy new X & Y nuts.(from LMS) It turns out to have been a good decision. Although the machine does not have a lot of hours on it since the conversion, (perhaps 100), the difference between the old and new nuts on the X axis was significant. While I could feel a little motion with the new part at the mid-point of the screw, I could easily see the slop in the old part!

So - first questions - is there a higher quality nut out there? - Barring that, what would be the best lubricant for what is a low speed (no CNC - hand cranked) application - my first thought is to use the same Lubriplate that I use on the screw of my garage door opener. How would delrin stand up in this application?

Second - the gibs - steel on cast iron is hardly the best bearing system - how about brass gibs - doesn't look like an overwhelming task - but, of course, I'll have to put the mill back together to make them and then take it down again to fit them, unless, like better nuts, there is a vendor to be found.

Thanks

Pretorien

[maxboostbusa]

I use synthetic motor oil (mobil 1 10w-30) on my leadscrews. Makes them smooth and it doesent seem to attract the chips as badly as a greasy product for me. I also thought about adding brass gibs on the mill. The 7x lathe I have has been converted to brass gibs and seems good. I also have been thinking about oil impregnated bronze for the gibs. Its a little tougher than brass and it is made for bushings anyways. Just my 2 pennys though.

[Smitty911]

Oilite bearing material would be best of course.

I used some free machining Brass. Works well, very smooth. I'm actually thinking about making some thinner ones for the other side and bonding it to the dovetail.

Smitty

[dang]

I can't speak to upgrading either the gibs or the nut, but I will submit that I use Mobil 1 Oil to lubricate everything and it works fine for me. Mostly I apply a little everyday to all the surfaces, less frequently for the screws.