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2014Gimbal forum

Bearing lubricant selection and maintenance for gimbal bearings

12 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.

What the thread found

  • Dumonde Tech Lite lubricant can cause gimbal stiffness in cold temperatures and may require manual loosening before use
  • Muchmore Spin Lube Bearing MMRC3506 provides significantly lower friction compared to Dumonde Tech Lite
  • Muchmore Spin Lube Bearing MMRC3506 is formulated with KAL-SUPERLUBE C68 base product
  • Arri high-speed oil is an alternative bearing lubricant option
  • Running bearings completely dry results in higher initial smoothness but accelerates bearing wear over time
  • A single drop of lubricant reduces friction compared to running bearings dry
  • Regular gimbal cleaning every couple of months can prevent dirt accumulation regardless of lubrication method

Depends on

  • Experience described is specific to XCS gimbal model
  • Arri high-speed oil availability is tied to Alexa high-speed license purchase
  • Bearing cost estimates mentioned as approximately $800 for pro gimbal bearings but exact pricing unclear
  • Comparison between dry bearings and lubricated bearings based on user observation rather than controlled testing
  • No information provided about performance in warm or moderate temperatures

Parts

Gimbal Bearing

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