Shopsmith Forums

I've owned shop vises for over 40 years and have never lubricated one. Just keep using them. Most lube would collect the metal filings and do more damage than good.

My wood vise came pre-lubricated with a light oil. I've never done anything more to it. I just use it.

The internet has taught me one thing. Most people play with their tools more than they ever use them for what they were intended. (pun intended)

Years ago, we just used tools all day and all night and they just kept working without any fussing over them.

garys wrote:I've owned shop vises for over 40 years and have never lubricated one. Just keep using them. Most lube would collect the metal filings and do more damage than good.

My wood vise came pre-lubricated with a light oil. I've never done anything more to it. I just use it.

The internet has taught me one thing. Most people play with their tools more than they ever use them for what they were intended. (pun intended)

Years ago, we just used tools all day and all night and they just kept working without any fussing over them.

AMEN!!!!!!

Yup, you can say that again. Just think sharpening...guys have taken this to an art in and of itself. They started with a need for a tool to make a project then spend more time working on the tool than the project. Heck, sharpening addicts even argue about what is considered sharp, how long something should stay sharp etc. and don't even try to argue with them. They will pull out tons of blades in varying stages of sharpening to prove their point. The project they started with may never get done.

AMEN again! And with the exception of those in various stages of restoration, a good percentage of users here would not have problems with their units if they would adjust them once then quit trying to pick every thing apart constantly and just use it. The machines have become the hobby and not woodworking. And then there are many of us that sit here day and night and the forum has become the hobby without any productivity what so ever. Tis a waste full life sometimes.

I resemble many of the above remarks.

But I really don't mind having tool collecting, restoring, and maintenance as hobbies in addition to woodworking.

It's also nice when I do get around to working on/completing a project that it is done with sharp well cared for tools that don't give me trouble. (Most of the time):eek:

Humbly and respectfully submitted.

terrydowning wrote:I resemble many of the above remarks.

But I really don't mind having tool collecting, restoring, and maintenance as hobbies in addition to woodworking.

It's also nice when I do get around to working on/completing a project that it is done with sharp well cared for tools that don't give me trouble. (Most of the time):eek:

Humbly and respectfully submitted.

Over the past several decades I have all too often had to improvise/make do/forget about things because of not having the 'normal' tool to efficiently perform some operation.

Call me a tool freak, but the list of non-practical endeavors has greatly diminished recently. Think SPT!;)

Gary and others,

I really don't know my way around a shop, so I may do some dumb things. The vice I am cleaning up I bought from a guy who had removed whatever protection the vice had had in his incomplete effort to restore it. When I got it it had a reddish tinge on surfaces that transferred to hands, clothing, etc. I assumed this was surface rust and treated it with vinegar, which did work, and painted with Rust-Oleum (except for the screw mechanism). When I posted my question the surface rust was seemed to be setting onto the screw again.

Maybe I took a wrong turn somewhere. These SS forums have some very patient folks helping us newbies. If you have ideas that will help, I am listening.

Thanks for any help.

saminmn wrote:Gary and others,

I really don't know my way around a shop, so I may do some dumb things. The vice I am cleaning up I bought from a guy who had removed whatever protection the vice had had in his incomplete effort to restore it. When I got it it had a reddish tinge on surfaces that transferred to hands, clothing, etc. I assumed this was surface rust and treated it with vinegar, which did work, and painted with Rust-Oleum (except for the screw mechanism). When I posted my question the surface rust was seemed to be setting onto the screw again.

Maybe I took a wrong turn somewhere. These SS forums have some very patient folks helping us newbies. If you have ideas that will help, I am listening.

Thanks for any help.

No wrong turns, just honest questions.

I have not tried this on a vise screw, but I would apply some penetrol sparingly(it tends to dry). Otherwise JPW.

I'll go back to graphite powder for wearing surfaces. It won't attract dust because it is not wet. Very little is needed, and has always worked for me. For non-wearing iron/steel surfaces, JPW, can't be beat.

Hello everyone.
Just like the way bars on the SS. I use wood floor wax for all my lub. jobs. The wax gives good lubrication and it too will keep the metal part from rusting.

Just my two cents.
C.A.G.