Correct lube for sliding rails for a compound mitre saw?

[Dominic]

Dear All,

Recently won a second hand SCM saw (Makita LS0714) on an auction site.

You can never be sure on exactly what the condition is like. Been in storage a while. So far new blade, not a big deal.

1) I seek advice on how best to clean the limited areas of light corrosion on the sliding rails?

2) A suitable lube/rust preventer to apply?

When searching on the internet for 'sliding rail lube' I appear to get postings for gun lube :shock:

Many thanks in advance.

Dominic

 

[Steve1066]

You need a dry lude silicon or Teflon based

 

[doorframe]

Hi Dominic.

For the corrosion on the sliding rails maybe some (soft) wire wool soaked in WD40. Or maybe some worn down scotch bright, again with WD40.


Welcome, BTW.

 

[Dominic]

Thanks for the replies,

Cleaned the rails easily enough. I've lubed with a bicycle/motor bike chain lube (o-ring friendly), slightly heavier than WD40. Just been cleaning it off along with the dust at the end of each day and applying new lube. The only greases I had was Lithium fortified bearing grease, possibly too heavy or Weldtite bike bearing grease with Teflon, possibly too light, coloured red no less.

Cheers
Dominic

 

[nathandavies]

I lubed my Makita compound, whilst on a machine tidy up frenzy. unfortunately where the tubes go into the main cast, they are surrounded by a sort of felt material. after lubing I think this has swollen, and has become incredibly tight, i'm think they may be sealed units, not needing any lubing. clean the rust and leave.

 

[Steve1066]

What you are using is to heavy
You need something like GT85

 

[Dominic]

Nathan, I noticed the felt type material to. I suspect that these are to keep the larger dust particles from getting to the o-ring seal that I'm assuming are fitted before the bearings. Sad news that it appears that your saw has stiffened up. Hopefully someone on the site would have some good advice. On my Makita 0714 I've not noticed any deterioration in the slide action yet... runs nice and smooth, as I push and pull the saw, as the top rails move the lower one slides equally. It's not a case of the top rails move their full travel, stop, then lower rails follow, if you know what I mean! So no binding. I have the handbook and from what I recall there is no mention of greasing the rail slides so think this is unknown territory for most people.

Steve, I've always pegged GT85 in the same category as WD40 in terms of lightness. Don't know where I got this from but I'd always thought that WD40 wasn't o-ring friendly so why I used the chain lube instead.

Thanks for both for sharing your thoughts.