[Coldwood]

A noobie question: What is the proper technique for lubricating a flex shaft? I've recently acquired a Mastercarver, it's working fine, but I'm wondering how often I should lubricate it and where? Do I just unscrew the shaft from the motor and pour the oil down the tube? Any advice will be appreciated, thanks.

[Alice in Wonderland]

I lubricate mine .depending on the use, somehow I can hear it when the inside is sort of grinding, you take it apart and add a small amount of lubricant to the ( I am thinking of the name) inside. I go over with my hands again to take off some of the grease , if you leave on too much you will have it running out onto your handpiece and sometimes it gets hot too .
My outfit had a special grease in the package.
I hope this helps?
Alice

[susieq]

I think the recomendation is to lubricate after every 50 hours of carving.....
I don't do it nearly as often as I should, probably go two or three times that.

When I do lubricate, I clear off a spot on the work table, lay down some clean news paper to make a dust free work surface, remove the bit from the chuck, then unhook the shaft from the motor and pull the actual shaft out of the sleeve and lay it on the news paper. Dremel and Foredom both make a shaft lubricant so I use one of those. First, I take a paper towel and wipe off any old grease from the shaft. Then I get a daub of new grease beween two fingers of my hand and starting at one end of the shaft, I run it down the full length. You don't have to use a lot and when the machine runs again, it will help spread the grease to every where on the shaft.

After that, just put the shaft back into the sleeve and hook it up to the motor again. I like to run it for a minute or so after that and it's good to go.
Clean up is a breeze with the the news papers, just roll it up and toss it.
I usually do mine when it suddenlly dawns on me that it has been a while or I feel the handpiece starts heating up in my hand when I work.....
Hope this helps.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I put a drop or two of slick "50" in mine.....stops friction, if it works in cars, should work on a foredom lol......I even fixed a brad nailer with the stuff

[Coldwood]

Thanks everybody, I appreciate it. I haven't put 50 hours on mine yet, but now I know what to do. The kit didn't come with any instructions. I did get a tube of their special grease, 1/4 oz. for $9 and change, a bit pricey. When that runs out, I think I'll try the Slick 50

[Kenny_S]

Slick "50" as Hi Ho said. Last longer than regular oil meant for the flex shat. Any synthetic oil works great. Helps in keeping the shaft cool!

[susieq]

So, guys.... is this slick 50 available at auto supply stores?? I need to try that. If it lasts longer, since I push that time when you should lube, that sounds like something I need to try. Thanks.
susieq

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

just about everywhere has slick 50 anymore, wallyworld has it, I would image K mart has it, most auto parts...some grocery stores. I you guys want to get some mileage out of your rv's and vehicles....get some of the slick 50 grease and do your wheel bearings...they also sell stuff for the transmission and rear end......no, no interest in the company, sure wish there was.

[Pierre]

Foredom factory says White Graphite grease. We've used it on our Foredoms for an easy 15 years.
The reason for not using an oil that can thin and run with heat is that it definitely can get into the bearings on your tool holders. Any lubriction that gets into those bearings will defintely shorten tool holder life.

P

[TUKLONITA]

I have used everything from vasoline to bearing grease. The important part is to lubricate. Oil poured into the sleeve, when heated by the friction created by the high speed shaft, will leak from the hand-piece onto hands, project, and work table, spoiling all. In my opinion, any High Temp grease, liberally applied, can save time, money and frustration... It doesn't hurt to periodically wipe the hand-piece, paying close attention to the quick connect joint from shaft to hand-piece...