Leadscrew lubrication/lube

[piperpilot]

I know I have read some recommendations here before, but I have been searching for an hour now and can't seem to find them. What do you use to lubricate your leadscrew? I have 2 start Acme lead screws with dumpster anti-backlash nuts. They are rather stiff and when I run my machine, I get some vibration.

I'm going to double check alignment, etc, but in the meantime, I'm looking for a recommendation on a lube to use. I prefer something dry so that I don't get sawdust, etc sticking to the screw and causing more friction.

Thoughts?

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[CarveOne]

Dupont Teflon Multi-Use Dry, Wax Lubricant spray. It's sold by automotive stores and Lowe's. It evaporates and leaves no appearance of anything like grease on it. Works pretty good for me. Garage door spray lube is similar and works well also.

CarveOne

[crane550]

I use a silicon based "Dry lube". I think its made by CRC. It behaves very close to what CarveOne is describing.

[CarveOne]

After a few re-coats of the Dupont stuff you will see little curls of a light tan substance coming out of the "fingers" of the DumpsterCNC nut, This is the normal wax buildup oozing out. If it is black Delrin plastic coming out you have a really cheap, rough lead screw with wire edges on the threads. Been there, done that. It can be repaired with hand polishing the tops of the threads, though you may already need new ABNs.

CarveOne

[piperpilot]

Awesome, I'll head out to lowes or autozone today and try to find some.

[CarveOne]

If your local Lowe's is laid out like mine, look in the tool center area along the main aisle on the shelves where the grease and lubricants are located. There are also some CRC products there I think.

CarveOne

[Zeppelin1007]

I know this thread is old but...any reason we cant use PAM? ie the cooking pan stuff? i use it to keep the chute on my snowblower clear.

[ger21]

I don't think PAM is slippery enough. I use pneumatic tool oil. It's very thin, and works great. Just put a few drops on the screw, run the machine back and forth a few times, and wipe off any excess with a rag.

[underthetire]

Bike chain lube is also good for this, white lightning I think is the brand sold at most Walmarts, stuff really works quite well.

[Al_The_Man]

On a mill or a lathe, the lube system for the B.S. is the same source as for the ways, and is usually Vactra2 way oil, it is rather tacky to the touch and attracts dust, but I would think a B.S. on in a router environment you would need a collapsing cover of some sort due to the dust problem?
Al.

[DonFrambach]

+1 on pneumatic tool oil

I've been using this for more than a year per Gerry's recommendation. Works great! Dust accumulation has not been a problem.

Haven't seen your posts for a while. How is your machine working?

[voltsandbolts]

I use wax, I take my wife’s old burnt down candles and melt them down is an old double boiler, then poor the wax in an old muffin tin. I save the little cakes to rub on the lead screw. It’s worked for me and being dry it doesn’t hold the dust. I am running all-thread rod and homemade Teflon nuts.

[BAMCNC.COM]

I use Royal Purple Max Film and once and awhile Schaeffer Moly EP, it lasts "forever"

[Devastator]

I use CRC 336 with good results.

[louieatienza]

I use CRC 336 with good results.

I have started using CRC 2-26 and it works great! Also is safe for all plastics...

[aarggh]

The one I mainly use for almost everything is "fluid film". It sprays on, and being a natural lanolin based lubricant makes the shop smell nice when machining. It sort of develops a film that isn't tacky or resistive like grease or thicker oils go. It's the best general purpose lube and rust preventative i've found.

cheers,
Ian