KRL Slide Lube

[dmaxfireman]

I am going through all of the slides on my new to me KRL1003 and have about half of them run through the solvent tank so far.

They are smooth as glass right now a huge improvement over the stiff messes they were before.

I've read threads going back over 10 years with no definite answer on this. Should I leave them the way they are with the mindset that they will attract less dust and debris, or should I grease them? I have a few tubes of SuperLube 21030 sitting here if that is still the grease of choice.

 

[Wamsutta]

They get stiff after awhile if the grease attracts too much dirt. I don't have a solvent tank, so for me it was a toothbrush and a bottle of GooGone. It worked wonders though. The GooGone has some kind of oil in it, so I left it on the ball bearings. Although the drawers roll easier, they are a lot noisier. I'm thinking of trying some kind of spray lube that leaves a dry film. Dry lube they call it. I might try the LPS brand.

 

[redwrench60]

My KRL owners manual says roller bearing slide lubrication of any kind isn’t recommended. Lubricants attract dirt and dirt gums up slides trapping you in an endless cycle of cleaning and lubrication.

 

[redwrench60]

All my KRL manuals say the same thing.

 

[SeisMec]

Lubricants attract dirt and dirt gums up slides trapping you in an endless cycle of cleaning and lubrication.

Dirt adheres to grease and oil (neither actually attracts dirt).

Dirt does not adhere to dry graphite lubricant.

The above link is not a brand recommendation. Anybodies aerosol can seems to be fine. Just steer clear of loose powder in a bottle.

 

[redwrench60]

Dirt adheres to grease and oil (neither actually attracts dirt).

Dirt does not adhere to dry graphite lubricant.

The above link is not a brand recommendation. Anybodies aerosol can seems to be fine. Just steer clear of loose powder in a bottle.

I know scientifically oil doesn’t attract dirt but practically, it may as well. I work in an extremely dusty, gritty environment. Anything lubricated is quickly overwhelmed with grit, dirt and shavings that are sure to accelerate wear. I suppose you could try graphite lube on roller bearing drawer slides......or.....you could just do what the manufacturer of the toolbox recommends in the owners manual and put nothing on them.

Sometimes in life, all you gotta do is nothing.

 

[seber]

Paraffin wax has always worked for me. Excellent lubrication, dry, stays in place.

 

[SeisMec]

I suppose you could try graphite lube on roller bearing drawer slides......or.....you could just do what the manufacturer of the toolbox recommends in the owners manual and put nothing on them.

Sometimes in life, all you gotta do is nothing.

I don't have proof that dry graphite spray is better than nothing on ball bearing slides in dusty, gritty conditions, but I'm absolutely positive it's not worse than nothing (like oil and/or grease are/is).

If I have slides out to clean, they're going to get a shot. Do what you think is best.

 

[dmaxfireman]

Following the book on this one. All slides are cleaned and reinstalled without grease. Some have a little marring from grit in the grease but they are still miles better than before. If I pull them apart again before I kick the bucket I'll look into replacing some of them.

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[Wamsutta]

Superlube has a dry lube I might try sometime.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DCDYM26/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[CafeTools]

Drawer slides are not needing oil like a engine. That said a very light oil followed by wiping dry seems good. The thick factory grease that comes with new tool boxes is terrible.

 

[SeisMec]

Superlube has a dry lube I might try sometime.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DCDYM26/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I might give that a try. It's probably better for slides than the dry graphite aerosol I have on hand for automotive door hinges, hood hinges and etc.. It comes out of the can as a much thinner liquid (that drys in about 3 seconds), than than any PTFE based sprays I've tried. As a thinner liquid it makes a better penetrant.