Shopsmith Forums

The chuck that came used with my SS is rough to turn, Is there a way to clean and lube it so it works smoothly? This is an early 60s Goldie and I'm certain the original chuck.
Jim

Try some 10W or 20W motor oil. These things do need a little maintenance from time to time.

My dad always used WD-40. It seems to work well for me.

BPR

Generally they become stiff because of foreign material that has collected and hardened to the lubricant itself. I soak in mineral spirits and keep agitating while running the chucks to each end of travel and back. Mineral spirits, in addition to being a solvent, is itself a light lubricant and if any more lubricant is needed because of excess wear, an oil equal to sewing machine or furnace demands will be enough and is formulated to repel dust and lint, and fine sanding dust.

"...always used WD-40..."

I don't want to disrespect a family tradition, but I'm honor-bound to dispel woodworking myth-conceptions wherever I find them. (It's in the oath authors take before they publish our first how-to book.) As discussed ad infinitum in another thread, "WD" stand for "water displacement." WD-40 is not a lubricant, although the parafiin in the formula provides some lubricating properties for a very short period of time. It is, in fact, mostly solvent and washes away what little real lubricant is left. If you have a chuck (or anything else) in need of lubrication, you would be best served by the procedure outlined by the Cowboy.

With all good wishes (and a yippee-ey-yay),

I believe that "the Cowboy's" method wood be good to clean the chuck, but I am pretty sure that I read somewhere (pg 38 of the booklet entitled Mark V alignment and Maintenance that comes with the ShopSmith Help Kit #515325), that dry lubricant, i.e., graphite, is best for the drill chuck.

Nick wrote:"............. As discussed ad infinitum in another thread, "WD" stand for "water displacement." WD-40 is not a lubricant, although the parafiin in the formula provides some lubricating properties for a very short period of time. It is, in fact, mostly solvent and washes away what little real lubricant is left................

I have been telling people that for years........nobody listens.

a1gutterman wrote:I have been telling people that for years........nobody listens.

I know! That's because the 40th formula of water displacement liquid developed by these guys WORKS! - for many purposes. Why else would more than a couple hundred thousands of folks swear by it after using it?

We all know what it was originally designed for. One of the desired effects of the original formula, by design was as a de-greaser as well as a Water Dispersant.

Is it the best lubricant? No! But it sure can disperse water and clean up grease and other oils, as well as some corrosion.

Quick fixes (spray WD-40, etc.) are to the machinery industry as quick click viruses are to the computer industry...

[INDENT]...both propagate their respective expensive repair services.[/INDENT]

.

charlese wrote:.........Is it the best lubricant? No! But it sure can................

It is the lubricant part that no one listens to........