Shopsmith Forums

Since you have the body rust taken care of, I suggest you not worry about the surface rust on the screw mechanism. Just mount that vice and use it. The surface rust on the screw mechanism will dissipate with use and won't cause problems in the mean time.

I have used about everything at one time or the other... Many many years ago I used the same white lead that we used to lube the tailstock dead center on a metal lathe (can you even buy that now?). I have also used a bit of bee's wax or an old candle. More recently I have used the Zoom spout turbine oiler or JPW. I have used graphite too. Graphited lock fluid will carry into tight places well.
One of the more interesting lubes I have used on a number of things was when I kept one small oil can filled with Slick 50... Pretty effective stuff. Worked very well on wheels and casters.
I have a few aluminum vises with steel screws and they need lubing now and then, much more than steel against cast iron. The cast iron can be kind of self lubing.


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Thanks for helping me understand. I pretty much thought steel needed some kind of protection form moisture except for stainless steel. Sounds like maybe there are cases were that is not true or the most important consideration. I will probably try the JPW followed with graphite.

thanks again,
Sam

No, different types of metals when in contact with one another do not always prove to have good results. For instance, aluminum and carbon steel do not mix well together. If the steel should start to rust, it will cause corrosion very quickly to the aluminum and it will fail. That is why it is usually recomended to use stainless, brass or aluminum screws with aluminum items. However, sometimes what companies will do is to use a plastic or rubber washer to seperate the two metals to cut down on the cost of stainless/brass/aluminum screws and bolts.

saminmn wrote:I know it is not a SS question, but how are vices normally lubricated?

Thanks in advance,
Sam

Well, back several years ago one lubricated his vices with KY Jelly. I don't know if it is still available.

[quote="db5"]Well, back several years ago one lubricated his vices with KY Jelly. I don't know if it is still available.]

Back in post 6 it was mentioned!:D

Ok, maybe my brain is just not engaging this morning, only had 1/2 cup coffee so far and my eyes are still blurry, but I am assuming JPW is 'Johnson Paste Wax.' Just clarifying cause you know what they say about assumptions..

tgamel wrote:Ok, maybe my brain is just not engaging this morning, only had 1/2 cup coffee so far and my eyes are still blurry, but I am assuming JPW is 'Johnson Paste Wax.' Just clarifying cause you know what they say about assumptions..

You do not need the other half cup.

My life is more fun sometimes be cause of my mistakes

I smiled at this one again.

saminmn wrote:I know it is not a SS question, but how are vices normally lubricated? I got a used one at a sale, cleaned it up, and painted all but the screw mechanism. Now what? Seams like grease would be next except for sawdust.

Thanks in advance,
Sam

Well, from what you posted - used, cleaned up, painted all but the screw mechanism - I would recommend KY Jelly. What's this about sawdust?:eek: