Best method for lubricating linear rails?

[Leeboy]

How is everyone lubricating their linear rails?  I thought typically you would grease the bearings. 

[Tim]

I followed the instructions and applied a tiny bit of the white grease directly to the rail.  The rail action is very smooth and I haven't seen the slightest indication that it needs re-lubricating in the approximately 3 months that I have had my M2 (But then I also let my car go twice the recommended mileage before I do an oil change.  But I will re-lubricate the rails soon).

[Pandelume]

Per the manufacturer's catalog ( http://www.tpa-us.com/pdf/miniature-linear-guide-cpc-2012.pdf ) lubricant should be applied to the rail raceway and/or injected into the bearing car via the lubrication ports on either side of the car.  Speaking from experience, nobody who works with linear bearings like this would consider lubing the raceway adequate.  I'd suggest getting some syringes and lube from mcmaster or something and injecting lube into the bearing cars.

[Paul Leonard]

At one point in that catalog it also says that lubrication is generally added to the rail raceway. If you know what to order from McMaster, it'd be handy to know so that I could order the right thing.

Paul

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[Pandelume]

It does say that in the catalog - I was commenting more from my personal experience.  I have often worked with similar linear bearings at my job (although generally in larger sizes), and it's standard procedure to charge the cars with grease.  It makes sense if you think about it - the moving parts of the bearing car don't just roll past the rail, they also roll against each other or the car raceway.  For the smaller cars it might be fine to simply lube the rails on the assumption that enough grease will work its way into the car; but personally I don't think so, particularly since the cars didn't seem to be pregreased.  I would order mcmaster 7510A652 (syringes), 6710A25 (needle), and 1380K22 (grease).  I think that's the correct size needle - I actually ordered 6710A28 by mistake and it was too small.  I also tried just holding the syringe up to the grease port without a needle and that also works but it's a but awkward to keep a good seal.  It might be overkill, but it also only costs about $20 for the whole setup.

[mathisyourfriend]

"I would order mcmaster 7510A652 (syringes), 6710A25 (needle), and 1380K22 (grease)"

thanks for the info on the syringes+needle.

Also, I thought the grease was 1380K35 (white lithium-thickened grease with PTFE).

[Pandelume]

It's the same grease, but the one you listed is the 1lb container insteade of the 14oz cartridge.  Either one is fine, but you save a little by ordering the smaller container - especially since it's way more than you'll need.  Plus, if you ever need to grease something big it'll fir in a grease gun.

[mathisyourfriend]

Thanks.  Yes, when I got the tub I thought "that's a lot of grease!"

[mathisyourfriend]

Any chance of a video next time you lube? 

(no chuckling allowed)