Headstock rail lube

chris jay · Post by **chris jay** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 11:08 pm

Im sure this has been discussed before but my searches aren't coming up with much. How easily should my head stock slide? It does so pretty well with out the table connected (unlocked of course). The tubes are not the older ones that rust. They're in excellent shape as the rest of the machine

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 1:52 am

chris jay wrote:Im sure this has been discussed before but my searches aren't coming up with much. How easily should my head stock slide? It does so pretty well with out the table connected (unlocked of course). The tubes are not the older ones that rust. They're in excellent shape as the rest of the machine

I am not aware there are any 'rust proof' ones.

JPW JPW JPW lube/anti-rust.

Only the Mark VII is intended to be able to slide the headstock/table carriage together. Some Mark 5/V are capable of doing so.

drbailey · Post by **drbailey** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 11:04 am

I haven't read anything as to how to clean the rails, I do know that they need to be waxed with paste wax such as Vista wax.
My rails are pretty bad, here is a short video of me cleaning off a corrosion and gummy stuff.
Im using emery cloth paper, 320 to start with , then I will use a near nothing cloth with (rusty lube) cleaner. AND then I will wax them.
I will post the vid. first and then three still pics. Sorry that you have to see my face in the vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK7TSKsw ... e=youtu.be

drbailey · Post by **drbailey** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 11:21 am

here are some pics, of the start. I will vid. the done part with movement of the power head. comments or criticism is good, might help me or someone else.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 11:29 am

Use Johnson's paste wax to wax tge tubes. Because it doesn't have any non-slip additives in it.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 12:06 pm

chris jay wrote:Im sure this has been discussed before but my searches aren't coming up with much. How easily should my head stock slide? It does so pretty well with out the table connected (unlocked of course). The tubes are not the older ones that rust. They're in excellent shape as the rest of the machine

What headstock do you have? If it is the PowerPro, it will slide a little tougher than the model with sheaves.

You have been given good advice here (above) Remember JPW is abbreviation for Johnson's Past Wax. It is the most favored by most Shopsmith owners. When you buy some JPW, get only the can marked "origional formula".

forrestb · Post by **forrestb** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 4:22 pm

The Johnson' Paste Wax Original is also highly recommended since it contains no silicon. You do not want silicon anywhere in your woodworking shop since it is known to ruin the finishing step - which, of course happens AFTER you use the SS to fashion the wood.

Forrest

chris jay · Post by **chris jay** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:14 am

Got some yesterday. I also took the headstock off to inspect and did a thorough cleaning of old caked saw dust where the tube slide through. Ill put it back together today and see. Thanks

Shopsmith Forums

Headstock rail lube

Headstock rail lube

cleaning the rails

and keep silicon away!