Eclipse Vise lubrication and refinement

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    14 February 2020 at 3:32 pm #649015

    Could you all share any secrets for lubrication and refinements to the vise once installed. I’ve seen how Paul refines new clamps to run smoothly and add stiffness… I was wondering if there are tricks for lubrication, and helping remove some of the stiffness in the Eclipse bench vise… Its action is very “heavy” and stiff. Thanks!

    Chris Wood
    14 February 2020 at 8:53 pm #649079

    The first thing is to remove the oil and grease from the vise. I have found that non- chlorinated brake cleaner is best for this. Then re- lube the guide bars and the thread with either a paste wax or a dry lubricant spray such as Glide Coat.

    Larry Geib
    14 February 2020 at 10:27 pm #649089

    I don’t know about the paint on an eclipse vise, but brake fluid makes a great paint remover with some paints. I use it as the remover of choice on painted plastics because it doesn’t melt even styrene. So test first.

    Second the lube advice.
    I’ve use wax as a lubricant on my vise screws for 40+ years. But the dry lube will work if you have it. The kind for bike chains is good.

    The wax I use is the mixture recommended by Tage Frid in his article in fine woodworking #4 on building a bench. It consists of equal parts Gulf canning wax and turpentine ( I use artist kind – less stinky) with some mineral spirits ( I use odorless) to thin it. It works best if you warm a jar of it in a water bath before application.. the wax will melt at about 185°F (85°C). The mixture works well on wood or metal.

    I only have to renew it occasionally. Right after application it will be a tad stiff, but it breaks in very quickly as the excess flakes off.

    • This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by Larry Geib.
    • This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by Larry Geib.
    • This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by Larry Geib.
    • This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by Larry Geib.
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    15 February 2020 at 1:48 am #649112

    excellent!

    Thanks Much!

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