How to properly lubricate the gearbox of an angle grinder

How to lubricate the gearbox of an angle grinder angle grinder

Previously mentioned that, there are many types of lubricants from both foreign and domestic manufacturer. A good lubricant for gears of power tools is made by Bosh. It is called “Gear Lubricant” and comes in tubes of 65 grams. One such tube is enough for several services for an angle grinder.

Different brands of angle grinder gear lubricant

Among the lubricants intended for the gearbox of angle grinder, produced by domestic manufacturers, we can recommend products of the company “Nanotek”. It is called “Nanotech MetalPlak Elektra” and is designed for heavily loaded tools. As well as domestic greases are commonly used SchRUS or Tsiatim-221, but they require preconditioning and, in fact, are homemade lubricants.

Foreign greases

To determine what you can lubricate the gearbox of an angle grinder, it is necessary to consider a number of expert recommendations. They argue that you should choose the oil that the equipment manufacturer makes. Such compositions are not cheap. However, they have a balanced set of additives that ensure the long-term operation of the angle grinder. If the user of the equipment acquires other lubricants for maintenance of the power tool, the equipment may not even be covered by the warranty.

However, if you wish, you can replace the compositions recommended by the manufacturer with similar means. For foreign models of the angle grinder are quite suitable means, which include additives that are identical to those used by the company-manufacturer of the angle grinder.

If there is molybdenum in the grease, you should buy the compound marked MoS2. NLGI2 is suitable for angle grinders that are serviced with a second viscosity grade consumable. Lubricants marked ISOL-XBCHB 2 comply with ISO standard. If the means was made according to the German DIN quality standards, the new oil must contain in the marking the indication DIN 51825-KPF 2 K-20.

Proper Lubrication for Industrial Gearboxes | WCHYWT #1

Domestic greases

Considering what to grease the gear reducer of angle grinder of domestic production, it is necessary to pay attention to locally made compounds. Today Russian companies offer a wide range of such greases

Modern domestic materials for the lubrication of the gear reducer angle grinder are characterized by high quality. They meet high foreign standards. They are used not only in floor grinders, but also in other varieties of power tools.

Nanotech Metal Plac Electra products are especially popular. However, there are other varieties of maintenance compositions for any angle grinder assembly, including the gearbox.

homemade mixtures

Situations where there was an urgent need to lubricate the elements of the angle grinder, not uncommon. And yet, as luck would have it, there is no way to get a suitable lubricant for this purpose. The customer can then try to prepare a lubricant with his/her own hands and materials as available.

To ensure the required level of adhesion, automotive CV joint lubricant is taken as a basis. In addition to its excellent penetrating properties, it is acceptable for use in conditions:

  • considerable loads;
  • high humidity;
  • temperature fluctuations in a wide range;
  • Significant heating;
  • exposure to solid contaminants.

To dilute the material and get the right consistency for the gearbox, the addition of oil MS-20 is recommended. The liquid is added to the base gradually, preferably in drops, while constantly mixing the resulting mixture with a mixer.

No less effective is the use of a home-made material based on “Citiam-221” with the addition of TAD-17.

The role of lubrication and its characteristics

The distinctive feature of the angle grinder is the gearbox, which consists of beveled gears. this part is subject to considerable loads and is subject to more wear and tear than any other. The rotor of the angle grinder creates a rotational torque that travels from the small bevel gear to its large counterpart. The final gear has a shaft on which the work tool (mill, emery wheel, brush) is mounted.

When you move the gears with the friction against each other, the temperature rises. And that leads to weakening of the metal and early wear. To prevent negative consequences special compounds are introduced into the rubbing nodes, which significantly reduce deformation and do not let the parts to heat up intensively.

Lubricant for the reducers of power tools should have the following parameters:

  • Its viscosity must not exceed 800.
  • The tensile strength must exceed 120 pascal.
  • One composition must be classified as highly refractory (above 100°C).
  • have water-repellent properties;
  • stick firmly to the parts;
  • do not cause corrosion;
  • Do not contain mechanical additives.

But in addition to the gearbox, the angle grinder has two types of bearings that also need to be lubricated. One helps the electric motor. One serves as a support for the spindle of a large gear wheel in the gearbox. These bearings operate in different environments and require different compositions of oils.

Grease application for gears made of plastic

Given the areas of application, specialised lubricants are not only required to meet mechanical requirements. Health and hygiene certification is required for medical and food equipment. Therefore, such compositions by definition cannot be cheap.

How to lubricate the gearbox

First of all, you must disconnect the equipment from the mains and clean the housing from dust, dirt and other debris. The lubrication procedure includes several steps: opening of the protective cover, disassembly of the gearbox, cleaning of the old lubricant, filling with the new one and checking of the.

Removing the old lubricant

Always clean old grease residue and wear from the gearbox. Never add new lubricant and mix it with the old one. The point is that used grease carries solid particles in it.

All parts should be treated in solvent or gasoline and then thoroughly dried. Neither the first nor the second must get into the new grease, because it will change its characteristics for the worse.

Lubricant application

Before pouring, make sure that there are no foreign elements in the composition and that the consistency is homogeneous. without lumps or light/dark spots. Apply a thin film of grease to moving parts, but in such a way that it covers all parts of the mechanism.

It is easiest to add lubricant to the bearings with a standard syringe. After the parts have been machined, the compound can be poured into the gearbox.

Amount of grease

See operating instructions for allowable amounts of material. Too much grease is just as bad for the tool as not enough. Lubricant must completely cover the gear teeth. Not enough material causes rapid wear in moving parts and the tool will begin to smoke when heavily loaded.

Too much lubricant makes it hard for parts to work, plus oil will leak out of all the crevices and fasteners.

Checking the application of the lubricant

The last step of grease replacement is to test the equipment in light-duty mode. After assembling the structure, you must make sure that all parts fit together tightly, and fasteners are tightened securely. The semi-liquid composition NLGI 0 is capable of seeping into even the tiniest holes, especially during prolonged use when the oil is heated above 100⁰C.

Run angle grinder at low speed and check for unusual noise. At the first start-up a slight smell of burning is normal: after less than a minute it should be gone. If this does not happen, the equipment must be disconnected and the quality of the assembly must be checked.

properly, lubricate, gearbox, angle

Particular attention should be paid to the temperature of the gear unit. It is the task of the lubricant to distribute the heat evenly. The temperature ratings for the motor and the design in general are given in the data sheet for the angle grinder

The temperature rating for the engine and the construction in general is given in the data sheet of the angle grinder. It should not be more than normal.

After the dry run, the equipment must be disassembled and the correct application of the lubricant must be evaluated. Open the gearbox and inspect the helical gears. If they are completely covered with lubricant, it means that it is applied correctly. Excess grease is visible almost immediately when the machine is switched on: Oil in the crevices and gearbox mounting areas.

How to lubricate the gearbox

First of all, you must unplug the equipment and clean the housing from dust, dirt and other debris. There are several lubrication steps: open the protective cover, disassemble the gearbox, clean the old lubricant, pour in the new lubricant and check.

Removing old grease

It is obligatory to clean the gearbox from the remains of old grease and wear and tear. Never add new lubricant and mix it with the old lubricant. The fact is that used lubricant contains solid particles.

Tip! It is best to remove old grease with a soft, absorbent rag. Paper towels may also be used. An ordinary rag will simply sweep dirt and solids over the gearbox and absorb nothing.

All parts must be cleaned in solvent or petrol and then carefully dried. Neither the former nor the latter should get into a new grease, because they will change its characteristics for the worse.

Applying Lubricant

Before pouring, make sure the composition is free of foreign matter and has a homogeneous consistency. no lumps or light/dark spots. The lubricant should be applied only a thin film on moving parts so that it covers all parts of the machine.

The easiest way to add lubricant to the bearings is with a standard syringe. After the parts have been machined, the lubricant can be poured into the gearbox.

Amount of grease

Permissible lubricant quantities can be found in the operating instructions. Too much grease is just as bad for the tool as not enough. Lubricant should completely cover the teeth of the gears. Due to the insufficient amount of material, the moving parts will wear out quickly and the tool itself will start to smoke when heavily loaded.

Excess lubricant will make parts difficult to work with plus oil will leak out through all the crevices and fasteners.

Tip! In the absence of equipment documentation, figures of 40-50% of the lubricant can be guided by the total capacity of the gearbox.

Check the application of the compound

The last step in relubrication is to test the equipment in light-duty operation. After assembling the construction, make sure that all parts fit together tightly, and fasteners are tightened securely. Semi-fluid composition NLGI 0 is capable of seeping into even the tiniest holes, especially during continuous operation of the equipment, when the oil is heated above 100 ⁰C.

Turn the angle grinder on low speed and make sure there are no unusual sounds. At the first start-up a slight smell of burning is considered normal: in less than a minute it should be gone. If this does not happen, then the equipment should be turned off and check the quality of the assembly.

Particular attention should be paid to the temperature of the gear assembly. The task of the lubricant is to distribute the heat evenly. The standard temperature ratings for the motor and the structure as a whole are listed in the specification for the angle grinder. They should not exceed the norm.

After the idle test, the equipment must be disassembled and the correct application of lubricant must be evaluated. Open the gearbox and inspect helical gears. If they are completely covered with lubricant, it means that it is applied correctly. The excess can be traced almost immediately after turning the machine on: oil in the gaps and in the gearbox mounting areas.

Domestic lubricants

Considering what to oil the reducer of the angle grinder of domestic production, it is necessary to pay attention to locally produced compositions. Today Russian companies offer a wide range of lubricants. They are reasonably priced.

Modern domestic materials for the lubrication of the gearbox of an angle grinder are characterized by high quality. They correspond to high foreign standards. They are used not only in bolgarkas, but also in other varieties of power tools.

Grease for gear. angle grinders, drills, bearings and other mechanisms

Particularly popular are the means of the company “Nanotech Metal Plak Electra”. However, there are other varieties of service compositions for any node of the angle grinder, including the gearbox.

Recommendations of specialists

Experienced experts give recommendations, what is the best way to lubricate the gearbox of an angle grinder. They claim that if it is impossible to serve the tool with the branded grease, you can choose another composition. The second most popular in our country is grease for CV joints. It is most often used for the tool of domestic production. Some craftsmen choose a grease for joint gears and foreign angle grinder. However, the quality of original compositions will be much higher.

properly, lubricate, gearbox, angle

Worse, if the master has given preference to such compositions as lithol or solidol. These are universal products. They are not able to properly service the gearbox system of the angle grinder. If they are used, the work of the tool can not be full. In the beginning of operation, the difference will not be noticeable. But over time, serious problems may appear in the work of the machine.

Therefore, experienced craftsmen do not recommend saving on grease for the gearbox. The cost of purchasing original or other high quality products will be recouped by the long service life of the equipment.

With the right choice of grease, you can service your own peorators without paying for the work of service technicians. An exception is when the tool is under warranty.

Lubricants for the angle grinder gearbox

Angle grinder (angle grinder, or “angle grinder”) is designed for cutting, grinding and sanding stone, metal and other materials.

During use, the moving parts of the angle grinder are subject to intensive wear and tear. The bearings of the armature and gears, as well as the gears themselves, which are in the gearbox, are factory coated with grease, but over time it gets old and loses its properties.

To avoid premature failure of parts, bearings and gears should be periodically cleaned and the grease should be refilled.

Increased tool vibration and noise during operation is indicative of the fact that it is time to do this.

Lubricants for the angle grinder should not:

  • To contain solid particles which may cause chipping of moving parts of the mechanism
  • Lose viscosity and become liquid at temperatures below 120 °C.
  • Absorb moisture

Greases should form a solid film on parts to protect them from corrosion and wear.

The NLGI (National Lubricating Grease Institute) consistency or viscosity is selected according to gearbox speed, the higher the speed, the more fluid the grease must be. For angle grinders (as well as circular saws and brushcutters) recommend compositions of class NLGI-0, semi-liquid consistency.

Almost all world manufacturers of angle grinders recommend using only own-brand materials for their maintenance. In this case, they can guarantee that the tool will work properly and for a long time.

properly, lubricate, gearbox, angle

However, a significant disadvantage of brand lubricants is their high price.

For example, Haskey, Castrol, Liqui Moly and other brands of materials are excellent as a lubricant for the gearbox of an angle grinder.

A good lubricant for gears of power tools is produced by Bosh. It is packed in tubes of 65 grams, one is enough for several service angular grinder.

Russian manufacturers do not lag behind foreign ones and offer their products. Grease for the bevel gear of angle grinder “Nanotech Metallplak Elektra” is very popular.

Of domestic greases are also widely used SchRUS or Tsiatim-201, but they require prior preparation and, in fact, are homemade lubricants.

Homemade mixtures

Situations where there is an urgent need to lubricate angle grinder components are not uncommon. And at the same time, as bad luck would have it, there is no way to get a suitable lubricant for this purpose. Then the owner can try to make a remedy with his own hands from available materials.

In order to ensure the required level of adhesion, the basis for the grease for automobile CV joints is. In addition to its excellent penetrating properties, it is allowed for use in conditions:

  • Significant loads;
  • high humidity;
  • temperature fluctuations in a wide range;
  • significant heating;
  • exposure to hard, contaminating particles.

To liquefy the material and get the right consistency for the reducer, the addition of oil MS-20 is recommended. The liquid is added to the base gradually, preferably in drops, while constantly mixing the resulting mixture with a mixer.

No less effective is the use of homemade material based on “Citiam-221” with the addition of TAD-17.

And what kind of gear lubricant do you use?? Have you ever made your own lubricant?? Share your experiences with us, please.