Lubricating the tailstock

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Drogo

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Nov 25, 2012
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A little while ago, I thought I'd add some (a very small amount) lithium grease to the tailstock assembly of my Delta 46-460. Just to keep everything turning smoothly. :wink:

Life intervened and I wasn't able to turn for a while. In the duration, it seems the grease has gummed up. When I went back out the other day to set up, I noticed it was really hard to operate the handle, almost to the point of feeling like it somehow got cross-threaded. :eek:

So now I've disassembled it and am in the process of cleaning all that old stuff off.

My question is what do people do/use to lube the tailstock? Some light machine oil? Some kind of wax? Nothing at all(this option seems bad)?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
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I put light machine oil or 3 in 1 on the threads maybe once a year. Other than that, I but wax on the exterior ram surface. No issues and its a smooth operation.
 
If you want a dry lube that won't attract turning dust graphite 0the kind used for locks and such- works well.

Several other dry lubes using Teflon or silicons available as well in both powders and evaporating sprays.
 
There are dry lubricants such as Frank123 ,mentions T-9 from Boeshield, If its short term using it frequently I use 3-1 oil daily . If it will sit a while t-9 or 30w. I do not use wd40 or lithium grease as they will gum up.
 
Ah, graphite (or some other dry lube). That's a good idea for the exposed parts. I think I'll go that route and use some light machine oil for the internal part.

Thanks everyone!
 
Boeshield T9

Developed by Boeing for planes. Combo of penetrating oil and wax. Leave it to dry before using the lathe. GREAT STUFF!
http://boeshield.com/

On woodworking tool surfaces Boeshield T-9® recently topped all other surface treatments in Wood Magazine's article on Rust Busters*. According to them: "Except for the section treated with Boeshield T-9® all sections have completely rusted over". "There is only one choice for protectant as far as we're concerned: Boeshield T-9®".
Click to expand...
 
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