Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Rust in tail stock
George Taylor
Cleaning up my mini-lathe for a demo next week ... the tail stock was very difficult to advance with the wheel (moves OK on the lathe bed). Got it dis-assembled and there is rust inside and out; all happened while equipment was in storage so it is not a big surprise. Will clean the rust tomorrow but was wondering what lubricant, if any, should I use for the quill so it will move as it used to?
Thanks
Re: Rust in tail stock
john lucas
I like to use air tool oil. I apply it and rub it around and then wipe all of it off. Of course it doesn't all come off. Moves like butter and doesn't seem to hold dust. In a pinch I just spray with WD-40 which also seems to work even thought it's technically not a lubricant.
Re: Rust in tail stock
Chuck Engstrom
I've had pretty good results with powdered graphite, available at most hardware stores.
Re: Rust in tail stock
Barry Irby
You want to clean and gently polish the surfaces. Try not to remove anymore metal than you have too. Don't want to develop slop.
Then use a dry lube like the graphite. Graphite tends to be messy for me and I get it on myself, even after long time. Paste wax, like Johnson's, might be a better choice. Do not use silicon spray. It will make a mess of many finishes even in very small quantities.
There are numerous ....
Brian Roberts
"dry" lubes.
Graphite WILL at some point find its way onto some wood you are working on.
Since I tried Boeshield T-9 for rust prevention I have discovered it is perfect for lubing something that needs to leave very little behind.....and would have prevented the rust in the first place.
Repack the course threads with ........
JamieDonaldson
....wheel bearing grease. You need some dense lube that doesn't move around internally.
I'm a fan of spray lithium grease
Dick Coers
If they could just work on a different or better nozzle. It's a thinned grease, and easy to wipe down if you just want to leave a thin film. It's become my go to from door locks to machinery lube. Just a little messing to spray!
Re: Rust in tail stock
mike mills
I'm a fan of graphite ... but the aerosol graphite available almost everywhere.
Put down some newspaper before spraying. I usually give items two coats.
The carrier flashes off in just a few minutes leaving a dry smooth coating which doesn't come off on your hands. It won't attract of hold dust once on the lathe.
Grease in an aerosol can - Zep 2000
John K Jordan
My favorite grease is Zep 2000. It comes out of the tube with just a few drips of clear liquid or a liquid spray, will penetrate some. After a few moments it stiffens into a grease that stays put. I use it on so many things in shop, around the farm, and with vehicles I buy it by the case: https://www.amazon.com/ZEP-2000-Case-of-12/dp/B007KQASXQ (when it's on sale, of course!)
JKJ