Maintenance¶
The terraPen needs very little looking after. This page is deliberately short, because prescribing a maintenance ritual the machine does not need would only waste your time.
Cleaning¶
Use a lint-free cloth or solvent-free wipes.
- Wipe down the bed and frame whenever dust builds up.
- Keep the pen holder free of ink residue.
- Clear paper dust and stray fibres off the rails.
No solvents on the rails
Solvent-based cleaners can damage the rail surfaces and strip what little lubrication is there. Lint-free and dry, or barely damp, is all that is wanted.
Lubrication¶
Usually not needed. Machines here have run many hours without any lubrication becoming necessary, so treat this as a fix for a symptom rather than a routine.
If the carriage starts to feel rough or noisy as it moves, a silicone grease with PTFE — something like Super Lube 92003 — is the right sort of product.
Use very little, and wipe away the excess. Grease attracts paper dust, and too much does more harm than none at all.
Worth an occasional look¶
No schedule, just things to notice:
| Belt | A visual check for wear or fraying |
| Screws | Especially on the toolhead, which you fitted yourself |
| Wiring | That the toolhead cable still runs cleanly and cannot snag |
| Pens | Cap them; a dried nib is the most common cause of poor lines |
Between sessions¶
Cover the machine, or keep it somewhere it will not collect dust. Take the pen out if it is going to sit for a while — see transport and storage.