woodworker88 wrote:

Thanks to all who responded. The gearbox isn't totally enclosed, so I
can't use an oil bath, but I am definitely going to try and see what I
can do to add lubrication. Clearly a change in future materials is in
order. I have had problems with surface rust on regular steel shafts
that interferes with movement, but I will see what I can find in terms
of bushings, etc and other possible shafting materials.
Thanks again for the advice,
Michael



Other than proper lubrication, you can try Nitronic 60 material for some
of the mating parts. Virtually all stainless steel material galls at
2000 PSI..Nitronic 60 parts mating with either other nitronic 60 or 300
series galls at about 50,000 PSI. Nitronic 60 is a stainless material
that has about the same corrosion resistance and properties as T304
stainless.

Even if you get past the galling, you may have wear problems over time.
Stainless is a very bad wear material and acts pretty soft when used as
wear parts. Precipitation hardened grades of stainless (17-4 ph for
instance) will improve wearability but will NOT improve the threshold
galling stress: It'll gall at 2000 PSI just like the unhardened 300
series stainless.

Lubrication is the real answer though...cheap and effective.

Koz