cleaning the lathe...

Zims Rack

Promoting the Cueing Arts
Silver Member
I'm starting to get a little tarnish or brown discollering on my lathe face plate. What is the best way to remove that, steel wool pad? What about cleaning and lubing the lathe, suggestions on what materials?

Thanks,
Zim
 
I just do normal clean-up with vacuum, compressed air and lube. Just normal maintainance work as oxidation is a normal occurance. You can try using 000 steel wool, but personally, I'd rather be detailing my cues than my lathe. :)
 
Zims Rack said:
I'm starting to get a little tarnish or brown discollering on my lathe face plate. What is the best way to remove that, steel wool pad? What about cleaning and lubing the lathe, suggestions on what materials?

Thanks,
Zim

I just keep the dust vacuumed off and lubricate the ways with Marvel. Every so often I will take the jaws out of the chuck and blow it out good but I don't use any lube. Oil and wood don't mix.
 
lathe

Zims Rack said:
I'm starting to get a little tarnish or brown discollering on my lathe face plate. What is the best way to remove that, steel wool pad? What about cleaning and lubing the lathe, suggestions on what materials?

Thanks,
Zim


Hi Zimmer, been a while.

I use "NO" air, when cleaning my equipment. I also use only transmission fluid for oiling the bed ways, gibs and what have you. Saw dust doesn't mix with it. It allows the dust to "float" away, from tight spots.

I just wipe down the lathe with a damp rags with the trany fluid. This has worked very well for me.

Air will force dust into the "WRONG" place, in my opinion.A good strong vacum system will retreave the dust and chips.Try cleaning your face plate with a mild solvent.

blud
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys! I've heard that oils/lubes are NOT good for lathes. Chris Hightower and I were talking before about transmission fluid on lathes, thanks Blud!

Do you guys have any suggestions for a portable box for a Mid Size Cue Smith lathe. I want to do tips, ferrules, shaft reconditioning at tournaments, but would like a box/container to have the lathe in during transport and set up. Any suggestions? I've got a couple of ideas, but am open to more.

Thanks again,
Zim
 
boxes

Zims Rack said:
Thanks guys! I've heard that oils/lubes are NOT good for lathes. Chris Hightower and I were talking before about transmission fluid on lathes, thanks Blud!

Do you guys have any suggestions for a portable box for a Mid Size Cue Smith lathe. I want to do tips, ferrules, shaft reconditioning at tournaments, but would like a box/container to have the lathe in during transport and set up. Any suggestions? I've got a couple of ideas, but am open to more.

Thanks again,
Zim


Zimmer, I'll be in Chicago in Oct. Come by and visit if you can. I will show you my set up. I'll help you all I can.
blud
 
Already had planned on stopping by Blud! I'll get the dimensions of my lathe, that will put things in a better perspective. Do you have any curly maple and ebony cues going to Chicago? Sneaky Petes?

Thanks Blud,
Zim
 
Zims Rack said:
Already had planned on stopping by Blud! I'll get the dimensions of my lathe, that will put things in a better perspective. Do you have any curly maple and ebony cues going to Chicago? Sneaky Petes?

Thanks Blud,
Zim
BLUD- YOU'VE GOT A PM!
Thanks!
 
Zims Rack said:
I'm starting to get a little tarnish or brown discollering on my lathe face plate. What is the best way to remove that, steel wool pad? What about cleaning and lubing the lathe, suggestions on what materials?

Thanks,
Zim

Hi Zim.
I heard of a little trick but haven't tried it yet.
Buy a jar of Hall's mentholated(sp?) cream. The stuff you rub on a kids chest for congestion.
put some of the cream into an old medicine bottle. Put a cover over your machine and place the open medicine bottle under the cover. From what i understand, There's something in the fumes that prevent oxidation.

It sounds a little crazy, but I've heard that it's the nut's.
 
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