Shopsmith Forums

I know it is not a SS question, but how are vises 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

Edit: corrected spelling. Members could not remember if they had already entered a comment on my spelling of vise as 'vice' and k-y jelly as lube of choice:)

It depends on what kind of vice you are talking about and (more importantly) what you plan to use it for. For most metal vices (bench-top, etc), grease would work. You may just want to use WD40, CRC, or anything similar. If you plan to use your vise mainly for wood working projects, you may want to go with something less likely to stain your project such as a dry wax type lubricant or just try using the same Johnson’s Wax we all use on our Shop smiths. I personally, just use WD40. And if I have a concern about staining, I just make sure to wipe everything down before using.

I use a little 20 WT or 30 WT oil. No binding problems caused by sawdust. But WD-40 sill keep water and rust away! WD stands for water dispersant.

Thank's for replies. It is a cast iron WW vise. I think I will just go with the suggested 30wt.

Graphite works really well.

'Vice' lubricant has always normally been K-Y Jelly. 'Vise' lubricant, on the other hand; I use graphite powder.

so Brad/Derek what keeps rust off the vise's screw mechanism? (we are now talking vise:) )

saminmn wrote:so Brad/Derek what keeps rust off the vise's screw mechanism? (we are now talking vise:) )

Lack of water etc.

[quote="JPG40504"]Lack of water etc.]
In the land of 10,000 lakes there is no lack of water!!:D

saminmn wrote:In the land of 10,000 lakes there is no lack of water!!:D

Just be glad you are not in Hawaii!;)