Lubrication for speed control?

[dusty]

This has been quite an entertaining thread; what should I or should I not use to lubricate my Shopsmith. We have discussed just about everything. We have even cast a few stones - toward silicon and/or Topcote.

Why silicon? Well, as I recall, someone very early in still another thread recommended the use of Topcote in lieu of paste wax for the table tops.

Still someone else spoke strongly about getting anything silicone based on the table tops because if it gets "accidently" transferred to wood that is going to be finished (stained), the finish could be adversely effected.

Just think, charlese, how disappointing it would have been if right in the front and center of that corner cabinet in your avatar there was a discolored spot where "something" got on the wood and would not allow stain to penetrate.

That would be horrible. Bad enough to make you pull the face frame and do it over again.

I haven't done any really nice furniture but I can still feel the heart break.

Soooo. What's the point. Well, when lubricating anything in our shops, we need to be aware that some substances (like silicon) do definitely have the potential to ruin what could otherwise be a really beautiful piece. A little bit of caution is in order. These substances should be avoided if at all possible.

At the very least, exercise reasonable caution. This includes the Shopsmith oil can. I avoid setting it on the tables. An oil ring the size and shape of the oiler would be uglely.

[Ed in Tampa]

...I avoid setting it on the tables. An oil ring the size and shape of the oiler would be uglely.

Dusty
Excellent point. I have seen more than a few things ruined by something inadvertantly set on the table surface. In one class I took a student set a can of paint on the saw table picked up and walked off. The next student came over carefully set up his wood for the cut and ended up with green stripe running across it.
Someone who will remain nameless (and no it wasn't me) set an old battery from his car on his Saw Table. Later that day he used it to make a cut. A few days later he noticed his wood had a unique stain , then he went over to his saw and got sick from what he saw. The wood he finally threw away but the table cost him many hours of work to get it looking right again.
Ed

[charlese]

Of all things - I have found a new enemy!:mad: Never had a problem with oil, silicon, etc before now one has shown up. About a year ago, I bought a plastic can of 3-in-one oil. Used it a dozen times or so with a squirt into the control sheave hole. I have not been enthralled with this oil, but it seems to work and I like the pull out spout.

Here's the problem - The plastic can was kept on an untreated plywood shelf right beside silicone and WD-40. Today, as I looked at the shelf it had been inundated with oil from the 3-in-one plastic can. I can't find the leak, but the can is now trashed.

Two more things - I'm going back to 10W from my metal oil can -& whenever (if ever) I get around to finishing the shelf, it will be an oil based finish.

[greitz]

Sorry to hear about your "leak", Chuck. At least you didn't set it on any unfinished furniture! Just curious- did the bottle feel at all oily on the outside? We have to fluorinate our HDPE bottles for many of our oil-based products, otherwise we get seepage through the bottle walls.

Makes sense to me- HDPE is made from petroleum anyway, so it's not unreasonable to think the oil will absorb into/through it, unless you coat ithe bottle with something oil-repelling.

I've had unopened plastic bottles of butcher block oil which leave oil rings underneath them as well.

Gary

[charlese]

Thanks for your thought, but it is really no BIG deal - like I said it is an unfinished shelf. Yes!!!! the bottle is/was oily all over. I know I had wiped it off before putting it up on the shelf!

Interesting about plastic containers seeping oil. Didn't know that. Wonder if they seep oil while they sit in the store shelves? I had noticed that as the oil companies got away from tin cans they went to paper cans lined with foil. Now they're into plastic cans. Haven't noticed any seepage or leaks from them. (yet!)

Should note that I had lost the little cap from the spout during the last use. Wonder if it is possible for the oil to somehow go up the tube and spill out over the outside of the container. Anyhow, I won't find out, any longer, from personal experience.

[a1gutterman]

Hi Chuck,

At least it was only a shelf and not a door for a corner cabinet.

[cincinnati]

I use this stuff from Lowe's. A wax based product that drys after sprayed on.
I had a large nut that held the blade on my riding lawn mower. An impact wrench would not take it off. I sprayed this stuff on and let it sit for about an half hour. I was able to remove the nut with a hand wrench.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none

[reible]

I'm sure I must have 20 cans of stuff like this in my auto shelves (yes Chuck even a can or two of 3in1). This looks like a good one to add to my collection. I've got front shocks to do on my '79 Cordoba so if this turns out to work well I'll have plenty to use it for.

Thanks for the heads up!

Ed

[a1gutterman]

I use this stuff from Lowe's. A wax based product that drys after sprayed on.
I had a large nut that held the blade on my riding lawn mower. An impact wrench would not take it off. I sprayed this stuff on and let it sit for about an half hour. I was able to remove the nut with a hand wrench.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=213197-39963-D00110101&lpage=none

Hi cincinnati,

This product may work well for what you described and for other lubrication as well]http://www.teflon.com/NASApp/Teflon/Tef ... cerns.html[/URL] .

[charlese]

I'm sure I must have 20 cans of stuff like this in my auto shelves (yes Chuck even a can or two of 3in1). This looks like a good one to add to my collection. I've got front shocks to do on my '79 Cordoba so if this turns out to work well I'll have plenty to use it for.

Thanks for the heads up!

Ed

3-in-one is good stuff. It is just the plastic can I had an issue with! If I get some more, I'll put the can in a saucer.

By the way, just did another monthly servicing on the Mark V. Found the wheel bearing grease on the speed control assembly to be very clean. Just wiped it off and applied new.

Also, wonder what the effects of spraying a lubricant inside the headstock will have on wiring and the switch? Don't see how you could keep some from getting into the switch, other than taping before spraying.