Whats the lubricant used for the carriage rods?

[Dukenukem117]

I'm reading the contents of the $275 maintenance kit, and it doesn't seem like a lot of stuff to justify $275.

In the box: 10 Sponges, 1 Cleaner Sponge, 3 Helical P-Wheel, and 1 Lubricant Oil Bottle

I don't know what the 'helical P-wheels' are but a tiny bottle of lubricant should not cost $250. Does anyone just kit-bash this together with easy to find off-the-shelf stuff?

Amazon sells these cleaning sticks which probably substitutes for something. I just wish I knew what the Helical P-wheel is.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QVPCK5M/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1A6M3U1FNZXGO&psc=1

One of the reviewers of this reports that it works with his HP Z6100.
https://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Oil-Synthetic-Lubricating-Machines/dp/B008QNQ2VE


Here's what the kit looks like, but I don't see any pinch wheels. I'm guessing the little tear bags are just filled with more sponges.
https://www.grimco.com/Catalog/Products/HPLATEX300500USERMAINTENANCEKIT

I think these are the pinchwheels. Not sure how many more you get by ordering it though, or how frequently these break.
http://www.partshere.com/online/detail.asp?partno=M0E29-67025

 

[ChicagoGraphics]

All I ever used was WD40

 

[ikarasu]

I read paper shredder oil works good. We bought a bottle and have been using it for months and there's no ill effects. Heck... Since its so cheap it's become part of our bi-weekly maintenance.... We clean the rod and relube it. It's probably overkill, but it takes 2 mins so why not.


https://www.amazon.com/Fellowes-352...ords=paper+shredder+oil&qid=1599125640&sr=8-3

Then we got.the needle tip bottles.

https://www.amazon.com/DEPEPE-Appli...words=needle+tip+bottle&qid=1599125670&sr=8-4


Even with lubing 3 machines every other week I feel like we'll never run out. One bottle filled close to 20 of the small bottles... Not bad for $15

 

[ikarasu]

Helical p wheel = Helical pinch wheel.

I've had one break once do to a bad media jam. Other than that nothing... Good to have some on hand just incase. But I doubt they'll be a part of your regular maintenance.

 

[jasonx]

Try to buy a maintenance kit for a latex 3000. $1500 nearly fell off my chair. Pieces of felt and some oil.

 

[Reveal1]

I like the shredder oil idea - can use that on my electric razor and hair trimmer.

 

[Commando]

Rod lubricant is expensive. Even for a knock off, you are looking at almost 20 bucks an ounce.
Here is the HP brand that comes in the maintenance kit
https://www.amazon.com/DB2-68-Lubricant-HP-DESIGNJET-Printers/dp/B00LPQZBJI
I would think any synthetic oil would be ok, though.
https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Beari...23205HY4DB6&psc=1&refRID=ZXJPHG2WQ23205HY4DB6

 

[eahicks]

All I ever used was WD40

WD-40 isn't actually a true lubricant. WD stands for "water displacing" and its main use is as a solvent or rust dissolver.
The lubricant-like properties of WD-40 come not from the substance itself, but from dissolving components. And the effect doesn't last.

 

[Johnny Best]

KY jelly

 

[zspace]

Just guessing sewing machine oil should work. It's a light machine oil that we use on a lot.

 

[Reveal1]

WD-40 isn't actually a true lubricant. WD stands for "water displacing" and its main use is as a solvent or rust dissolver.
The lubricant-like properties of WD-40 come not from the substance itself, but from dissolving components. And the effect doesn't last.

Partially true. Definitely lubricants in their 'secret' formula but also solvents and for that reason I would not use near plastics or sensitive electrical components. From Wikipedia:

• 45-50 % low vapor pressure aliphatic hydrocarbon (isoparaffin)
• <35% petroleum base oil (non hazardous heavy paraffins)
• <25% aliphatic hydrocarbons (same CAS number as the first item, but flammable)
• 2-3% carbon dioxide (propellant)

 

[Reveal1]

KY jelly

Knowing JB is not a dirty old man, he must be referring to the condiment made from fruit of the great state of Kentucky.

 

[karst41]

As matter of Fact it is NYE OIL.

You can get a 4 oz. bottle off amazon for like $30
You can buy a 6 oz bottle from HP for $90

Again it is Nye Oil.

Has an interesting History Google Nye Oil
interesting read.

 

[d fleming]

WD-40 isn't actually a true lubricant. WD stands for "water displacing" and its main use is as a solvent or rust dissolver.
The lubricant-like properties of WD-40 come not from the substance itself, but from dissolving components. And the effect doesn't last.

But it's great to spray your bait with when fishing.

 

[Dukenukem117]

All I ever used was WD40