Oil or Grease?
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- This topic has 11 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 4 months ago by Craig.
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2 November 2016 at 1:27 am #142101
I just found a nice Wilton Q/R bench vise for $50.
It needs some rust removal, but not a big project.
For the screw and guide bars, is grease or oil preferred.
Thanks,
Rick G
2 November 2016 at 2:32 am #142103I just put a coat of light machine oil on my vise when needed. I also though about grease but was afraid it would stain any wood it touched.
I wouldn’t use either grease or oil as they will both attract and hold sawdust and chips. I just leave my vise screws bare and have had no problem with either rust or smooth operation. Unless your shop is in a very humid location, regular use should keep rust at bay.
2 November 2016 at 6:08 pm #142123Wax.
You can just use a piece Gulf canning wax and rub it on the screws and posts, but I use a “soft wax” and find it lubricates both the wood and metal moving parts of my bench (40 years old this month) without attracting dirt or sawdust. Slather it on, the action of the vice will take care of excess.You can buy a prepared soft wax like Annie Sloans or might have some around, but I found that a melted canning paraffin wax with odorless paint thinner (1 part paraffin to 1.5 parts thinner) added has more body when dry and is cheaper. Add a teaspoon of turpentine if you like the smell. I leave that out. Just be careful heating the wax in a double boiler and add the thinner when it is off the heat. Pour it in a tin with a lid, let it cool, and it will last for years.
You might have a beeswax soft wax for finishing lying around. That will also work.
Even Johnson’s paste wax will work, but it wears off sooner.
2 November 2016 at 6:11 pm #142124Thanks for the wax tip. I never thought about it, but will have to try it.
2 November 2016 at 9:26 pm #142126Thanks for all the great ideas. I think I’m leaning towards wax. Pix whenever I get done with the bise
2 November 2016 at 11:51 pm #142131I should have added that the volatiles in Annie Sloan’s soft wax is Naftha, a known carcinogen.
While none of the solvents we use are great, odorless paint thinner Is better and better that turps.
- This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by Larry Geib.
- This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by Larry Geib.
3 November 2016 at 1:47 am #142135I use a spray on graphite lubricant. Once it drys, it doesn’t hold sawdust etc. and I’ve never had an issue with it staining wood. It lasts a good while too.
3 November 2016 at 5:30 am #142142Craig,
I’m not sure what datasheet you are looking at, but the one I’m looking at says Annie Sloan soft wax is 75-85% naphtha by weight.
http://www.materialsafetydatasheets.info/annie-sloan.html
The comment on the datasheet says this:
“Comments on the Annie Sloan WAX MSDS;
Naptha Some forms of this chemical can be dangerous. A few forms can cause cancer, and many of them cause skin irritation, stomach upset and other health problems when people are exposed to them. Naptha also is unstable and flammable, making it important for people to handle it with care. People who inhale or ingest it should see a doctor as soon as possible, and people who have experienced skin contact with it should shower well to reduce the risk of developing skin irritation.
Special attention to point 13 and 14 in this MSDS!
”I see the commenter has also mistaken the way naphtha is spelt and confused it with the soap made by Fels.
- This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by Larry Geib.
- This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by Larry Geib.
Larry,
My problem is not with the MSDS, it’s with your personal declarative that the Naphtha is a known carcinogen. That depends on the Naphtha used in compounding.
Such a statement might cause someone to believe that the product is more hazardous than it really is. That’s all.
Best,
Craig -
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