Lathe bed maintenance / care

[user 466]

I have just purchased an Axminster 1628 lathe and wondered what was the best way of keeping the surface of the lathe bed rust free and the banjo moving freely. Do you just use an oil for this like Duck oil or similar? or a lubricating wax? The lathe bed seemed to be covered in oil(?) when it was delivered but I was concerned about dust and turnings becoming stuck to it.

This is the first time I have had a lathe with a flat bed (and I do prefer it) so any advice that you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CHJ]

Liberon Lubricating Wax would be my choice, but if it's not to hand then a wood finishing paste wax should do the job.

Just make sure you don't use anything with silicones in it like household spray furniture polishes.


Mind you a light spray with something like WD40 if left for long periods in winter does not seem to cause a problem as turning shavings and sanding dust soon absorbs any surplus as soon as you start turning and easily wipes up in post turning clean up, just make sure it's not all over your hands when handling or finishing the first piece afterwards.

 

[bodge]

I suspect the oil on it from the factory will be a protective coating designed to inhibit corrosion forming while it is stored in various warehouses/shops etc which are usually far from ideal conditions. I would remove this with perhaps a parrafin/meths dampened cloth.
Going forward I have not found a need to treat the bed with anything on my lathe and the garage where it is kept is quite damp and humid. I got it used and the bed had minor corrosion which I removed with fine sandpaper and I then waxed the bedways. First time I used it I couldn't get the banjo to hold at all, even under light pressure so I removed all the wax again and it has been fine since, no treatments at all.

 

[chipmunk]

Rennaissance wax (or the Chestnut Microcrystalline wax) was developed for the maintenance of museum artefacts (including metals and iron/steel) and resists finger marks as we all know because of its higher melting point.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_Wax

Anyway, that's what I use on my lathe bed.

HTH
Jon

 

[Spindle]

Hi

Another recommendation for Liberon Lubricating Wax

http://www.liberon.co.uk/accessories/lu ... ImfA%3D%3D

Not only does it protect against corrosion and reduce friction, it also helps prevent friction polish / sanding sealer sticking to the bed ways.

Regards Mick

 

[Grahamshed]

Hi

Another recommendation for Liberon Lubricating Wax

http://www.liberon.co.uk/accessories/lu ... ImfA%3D%3D

Not only does it protect against corrosion and reduce friction, it also helps prevent friction polish / sanding sealer sticking to the bed ways.

Regards Mick

Which sounds like an equally important consideration.

 

[woodfarmer]

I went to a lot of trouble to get Protec wax for mine. but found I ended up cleaning off with oil. so now I clean the bed down after each use and wipe oil on it (cheap thin engine oil from a squirty oilcan). just squirt it here and there and rub it all over the bed (DO NOT FORGET THE INSIDE EDGES) rub it all over the bare metal surfaces and slide the banjo and headstock about a bit to oil the underside of those. I do cover it simple because my wife gave me a cover for it. It is kept in a not entirely dry shed. Really watch wet wood shavings.

 

[user 466]

Many thanks for all your suggestions. It looks like Liberon lubricating wax is the favourite. I have some of that which I use on my planer / thicknesser so I'll give it a try on the lathe bed. Thanks once again.

 

[Mark Hancock]

Just to throw a spanner in the works there is an argument that a little rust on the lathe bed helps the banjo and tailstock lock down and helps prevent movement when you don't want it.

 

[winemaker]

I went to a lot of trouble to get Protec wax for mine. but found I ended up cleaning off with oil. so now I clean the bed down after each use and wipe oil on it (cheap thin engine oil from a squirty oilcan). just squirt it here and there and rub it all over the bed (DO NOT FORGET THE INSIDE EDGES) rub it all over the bare metal surfaces and slide the banjo and headstock about a bit to oil the underside of those. I do cover it simple because my wife gave me a cover for it. It is kept in a not entirely dry shed. Really watch wet wood shavings.

That's what i do a bit of oil on a rag and wipe all over do the same with all the tools I have used, then cover the lathe.

 

[Sawyer]

An occasional smear of Briwax or similar, which is always on hand.
Another useful idea I'd recommend; keep a brush at hand and always give the bed a sweep after sanding to stop particles of sanding grit getting under the slides.

 

[KimG]

Lubricating wax dries to an imperceptible layer, doesn't build up or interfere with the banjo or tail stock. It's the best option because it is what it is designed for. Finishing waxes may work, but ultimately will need scraping off again as they will build up and inhibit free movement (at least, more so than the lubricating wax does).

 

[Jonzjob]

I use dry cycle chain lubricant. A drop on a tissue, wipe the bars on my CL1 and all's fine. It helps the banjo move easily too, but it doesn't move when it ain't supposed to either.

 

[Robbo3]

Just an alternative thought.

My shed is a concrete sectional garage which came with the usual sheet asbestos roof & suffered terribly from condensation in winter. In fact it was so bad that I didn't go in there & covered all the machinery from December to March.

Since replacing the roof with twin walled polycarbonate all the condensation has stopped & I have no need to take rust preventative precautions over the last three winters. Some form of roof shading is advisable for the heat of summer.

 

[henton49er]

Liberon Lubricating Wax would be my choice.

+1 for that. Use it on my lathe bed, bandsaw table, drill press table etc.

 

[woodfarmer]

I have finally found something I have been looking for, for some time. Shell tellus 27 oil. Used to use it for a very specialised gearbox. It is now called shell tellus 37 and can be had as thin as SAE 5. At the same time I found Rustfree 6 from the same supplier. Either put into a mechanical spray dispenser would be ideal for your lathe. The shell oil creeps like hell and will get everywhere thus preventing rust and lubricating at the same time. ATM it is classed as an hydraulic oil butt don't let that put you off. It is an excellent lubricant.

Google them.