Shopsmith Forums

I purchased both the Volume 1 and 2 of Nick Engler's Mark V Essentials as well as Volume 1 and 2 of Maintaining and Repairing.

I also purchased the Rick Davis Shopsmith Journal Repair and Alignment DVD.

I watched all DVD's today and found Nick recommends using Bee's wax as a lubricant and Rick Davis recommends silicone spray.

What is the recommended lubricant to use, or better yet...what kind of lubricant do most of you use?

Thanks

Question is, lubricate what?

Silicone will cause stain/finish problems on wood surfaces.

Bees wax makes sense for tail stock lubrication(beware cold temperatures!!!!).

For sliding surfaces(that includes table tops) and generally everywhere, Johnson's Paste Wax(Original).

Tis the 'safest' and most effective and easily replentished.

JMHO!;)

P.S. Powdered graphite on some internal threads etc.

[quote="JPG40504"]Question is, lubricate what?

Silicone will cause stain/finish problems on wood surfaces.

Bees wax makes sense for tail stock lubrication(beware cold temperatures!!!!).

For sliding surfaces(that includes table tops) and generally everywhere, Johnson's Paste Wax(Original).

Tis the 'safest' and most effective and easily replentished.

JMHO!]


During the maintenance portion, lubricating the internal parts of the headstock one DVD suggested silicone spray (put a rag in to cover the belts) while the other DVD tells to put in Bee's wax.

To lubricate the "pork chop" shaped speed gear changer.

pilvr83 wrote:During the maintenance portion, lubricating the internal parts of the headstock one DVD suggested silicone spray (put a rag in to cover the belts) while the other DVD tells to put in Bee's wax.

To lubricate the "pork chop" shaped speed gear changer.

Bees Wax turns very hard at lower temperatures.

Spray is 'easy'. I prefer judicious(minimal) oiling and powdered graphite.

Actually other than the control sheave(oil profusely) there is little to lubricate in thar.

The pork chop pivot and the teeth and the way tube clamp threads and the quill stuff.



The button bearing should be taken care of by the above mentioned profuse.

pilvr83 wrote: What is the recommended lubricant to use, or better yet...what kind of lubricant do most of you use?

In the spirit of being environmentally 'correct':

For the tables, PAM. For heavy workpieces add some corn starch.

For the lathe tail center and for saw blades, bacon grease. For one thing it smells good, especially at the higher speeds. And it's a crowd pleaser when you display a recent project at a woodworking show. For gifts, you'll always get a good reception upon delivery, and what the heck, by the time it turns rancid you're long gone, so what!

Only two minor disadvantages I've found, one is the lost work time due to all the 'involuntary' snack breaks, and two is how to get rid of all the ants and cucarachas in the garage...

;-)

[quote="keakap"]In the spirit of being environmentally 'correct':

For the tables, PAM. For heavy workpieces add some corn starch.

For the lathe tail center and for saw blades, bacon grease. For one thing it smells good, especially at the higher speeds. And it's a crowd pleaser when you display a recent project at a woodworking show. For gifts, you'll always get a good reception upon delivery, and what the heck, by the time it turns rancid you're long gone, so what!

Only two minor disadvantages I've found, one is the lost work time due to all the 'involuntary' snack breaks, and two is how to get rid of all the ants and cucarachas in the garage...

]

You gots spanish cockroaches in paradise? I would have thought the oriental variety.

JPG40504 wrote:You gots spanish cockroaches in paradise? I would have thought the oriental variety.

Heck, spanish cockaroaches, german, Fijian, whatevah. Like any welfare state we welcome all vermin. So proud of our "diversity" (yet we elect only Democrats. Go figure!).