Angle grinders (angle grinders) or grinders in modern designs allow you to perform complex tasks of processing solid materials. This is achieved by increasing the power of the tool and the use of high-strength elemental base. An increase in the number of revolutions also causes an increase in the loads on the electric motor. The gearbox is considered the weakest point in the power plant of such a tool. It is often replaced and repaired even when operating in an average operating mode. High-quality grease for the gearbox of the grinder allows you to extend the working life of the technical filling, but only if the right choice is made.
Gear lubrication tasks
To understand why a grinder is needed, it is necessary to understand how the gearbox is designed - the most sensitive and at the same time responsible mechanical part of the tool. The gearbox is formed by a whole complex of small elements and parts that are enclosed in a crankcase. In the process, the gears actively interact with each other in direct contact with the generation of excess heat. Accordingly, the grease for the Bulgarian gearbox primarily protects the mechanism from wear, deformation and various kinds of damage. The basic protection effect for such devices is provided by antifriction agents. This function involves minimizing friction between parts, which increases their resource and generally strengthens the technical and physical qualities. In addition, the grease must provide heat dissipation. Some compounds create a cooling effect, but in most cases external thermal protection of the elements is assumed.
Mandatory lubrication
To perform the above functions, the lubricant must have an appropriate set of characteristics. Among the main parameters by which it is possible to evaluate the capabilities of gear lubricants, it is worth mentioning the strength, dropping point and viscosity. Strength characteristic is directly responsible for the antifriction function. That is, it will determine how much the formed film on the surface of the part can retain its integrity.
In the question of what kind of lubricant to use for the gearbox of the grinder from the point of view of tensile strength, values of 120-150 Pa can be considered. There are compositions with a strength of more than 400 Pa, but there is no need for such high rates - especially since the growth of this parameter inevitably minimizes other important characteristics.
As for the dropping point, it is possible to give preference to products designed for 150-180 ° C, although this figure most likely depends on the requirements of a particular gearbox. Also with viscosity. Much of the selection of the optimal indicator depends on the recommendations of a particular manufacturer, but most often they advise a viscosity of no higher than 800 Pa * s.
Gear Lubricant Manufacturers
Manufacturers of lubricants for power tools can be divided into two types. First of all, these are directly manufacturers of tools. They are also engaged in the development of lubricant formulations specifically for their products. Such means include grease for the reducer of the Makita grinder under the code 181490-7. This is a composition designed specifically for angle grinders of Japanese manufacture, but, of course, it can also be used for grinders of other brands.
The basis of the segment is the products of specialized manufacturers of lubricants. Customers highly value Castrol lubricant. A well-known company produces a special composition of green color for an electric tool, which can also be used for a bearing group. A similar lubricant for the reducer of the grinder is presented in the Mobile line. This product is already blue XHP 222, which is supplied in cabinets with the shape of a syringe for oil supply. For budgeting, many praise and lubricant "Nanotech." The composition is suitable as a periodic means of servicing the grinder used in homework.
Lubrication Technique
During the operation of the angle grinder it is important not to miss the moment when the tool requires a lubricant update. It is not always possible to determine it by external signs, so you should periodically disassemble the crankcase and directly inspect the condition of the gearbox. Lubrication will be required either in case of drying of the previous composition, or with insufficient quantity.
Next, you need to determine which lubricant is best for the gearbox of a grinder of a particular model? Again, if we are talking about manufacturers of the level of Makita, Bosch, AEG, then you can trust the lubricants of the same brands. But if the angle grinder is made by a little-known Chinese company, then it is better to contact specialized manufacturers.
For lubrication, you will need to disassemble the tool, remove the gearbox and perform cleaning. How to remove the old composition will be described separately. By the time of application, a lubrication tool should be ready - an oiler with a suitable nozzle in size or a syringe included in the kit. Apply exactly the amount that is enough to fully cover the working space without gaps.
Removing old grease
It will be nice if the old grease is dry and not difficult to remove. In extreme cases, it may be necessary to collect pieces of the composition that have scattered throughout the body, but if the product has maintained its state, then it will be necessary to prepare kerosene or a gasoline solution. After wetting a napkin or rags, carefully select the entire volume of old grease from the groove. Then repeat the procedure until the surface is completely clean. If grease was used for the reducer of the grinder with a low threshold for temperature endurance, then a hot hair dryer can also be used. It will melt the lubricant to a fluid state. Then it remains only to rinse the gearbox and dry to apply a new composition.
Alternative lubricants
Failure to use special grease for the angle grinder can lead to negative consequences for the technical base of the tool, so alternative solutions should be resorted to only in extreme cases. Most warnings apply to materials such as lithol and solid oil. These tools can only externally simulate a full anti-friction mass, but in work they turn out to be of little use. And yet, what kind of grease to lubricate the grinder of the grinder, if it is not possible to use a special composition at a particular moment? Experienced craftsmen advise you to always have on hand a universal lubricant for a ball bearing group. This is an inexpensive product, but according to its main characteristics, it can, although for a short time, make up for the lack of the required lubricant for the gearbox.
How to evaluate the quality of lubricant use
To understand that the grease used is suitable for a particular model can be based on several criteria. Firstly, it holds its shape, does not spread and does not spill out. Drying is also not a positive factor, but high-quality compositions are not safe from this. Secondly, when deciding what kind of lubricant is needed for a grinder gearbox, one should pay attention to the working process. The presence of vibrations, the appearance of new noises, the instability of rotation speed support - these phenomena can also indicate the wrong combination of lubricant and gearbox.
Conclusion
Like any power equipment, a power tool needs maintenance of the element base. If the angle grinder is operated in a regular mode, it is advisable to initially determine a comprehensive lubrication scheme for the entire working parts of the tool and adhere to it in a constant mode. What lubricant in the gearbox of the grinder can be used as universal and suitable for the bearing group? Such a composition can be determined by the averaged values of strength, viscosity and temperature resistance. For each parameter, there should not be ultra-high values, since they may be appropriate in one part of the application, but will not fit in another.