Shopsmith Forums

I recently acquired a 1961 mark V in what I think is fairly good shape. I wanted to lubricate and adjust it before using it too much. I bought Zoom oil and paste wax for this. While watching the maintenance and lubrication dvd, I noticed they talk about a Top Coat spray. Can anyone tell me what it is, where available or if there is a good alternative?
Thank You,
Monty Sutcliffe

Top-Cote is a spray on lubricant that makes the work table slippery to the wood you would be working with. I have used it from time to time but find that keeping a good coat of Johnson Paste Wax on the table works just as well. If you keep your table clean and waxed you will be fine without it.

If at some point you want to try it I have nothing against it. Many use and like it, but it is not a vital part of your SHOPSMITH maintenance and no harm will be done by not using it.

Be aware that there are similar products that have silicone in them. These are fine for metal work but should be avoided for anything coming in contact with wood that you want to finish. The silicone penetrates the wood and can effect the ability of the wood to accept a finish.

misterblu17 wrote:I recently acquired a 1961 mark V in what I think is fairly good shape. I wanted to lubricate and adjust it before using it too much. I bought Zoom oil and paste wax for this. While watching the maintenance and lubrication dvd, I noticed they talk about a Top Coat spray. Can anyone tell me what it is, where available or if there is a good alternative?
Thank You,
Monty Sutcliffe

Top Cote is not required, as you have already been told, but it readily available and it does work for the purposes being discussed here. Its real value, other than making a surface somewhat "slick", is that it does not discolor wood that comes in contact with it and it does not adversely effect finishes that might later be applied.

I use Johnson's Paste Wax (Original Formula" myself.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&clie ... CEcQ1QIoAw

I also use Johnson's paste wax for the tubes and table tops. I use top cote to lubricate my pork chop and speed control like suggested by Rick in the traveling achademy and on his DVD. You can get it from Shopsmith. Everything other have said is true and it is not needed for me it was just easier to lube inside the headstock. Make sure if you do this to put a rag over the spot so as not to get any on the belts.

Hi Monty,

TopCoat is available from Shopsmith and Woodcraft (and others). Boeshield T-9 is an alternative (also available at Woodcraft & others) that was rated as being the better product by Wood magazine.

Thank You for the replies. I have used Johnson paste wax on the slides and table surfaces. I was looking more for spraying inside on the porkchop and speed control. You have answered my questions and for that I thank you.
Monty

misterblu17 wrote:Thank You for the replies. I have used Johnson paste wax on the slides and table surfaces. I was looking more for spraying inside on the porkchop and speed control. You have answered my questions and for that I thank you.
Monty

I use the zoom turbine oil on both. A few drops at a time seems to serve me very well. Jim

What is "Zoom turbine oil"?

dlbristol wrote:What is "Zoom turbine oil"?

I purchased my Zoom Spout Turbine Oil from Shopsmith. They do not appear to list it now. Here is the only link I was able to find this evening.

http://cgi.ebay.com/12-WAGNER-4oz-PULL- ... 5882db89b2