Need Advise on Keeping Lathe Clean

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Fireengines

Fireengines

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2012
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540
Location
Plano, TX
This weekend I purchased a Jet 1015VS lathe replacing my 1014. I could not pass up the 15% off plus a $25.00 gift card at Rockler.

Unlike my 1014, I want to keep my new lathe looking nice and I am seeking advice on doing so.
 
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To keep the ways clean buy a can of Minwax Paste Wax. Put it on the ways with steel wool and clean with it periodically. This will make the ways slick and prevent rusting. Don't use oil because oil attracts dust. If you turn green wood, the waxing is more important.
 
Congrats on the new lathe! I have a couple things I do pretty regular that seem to work and they don't require much effort.

First tip - Clean and lube (coat of wax for me) the ways every once in a while. Once or twice a year seems to do it here in Michigan. Not a bunch of humidity in my shop so rust isn't a major issue.

Second tip - whenever I get out the CA or I am ready to start wet sanding, I get out a sheet of plastic and drape it over the ways between the head and tailstocks. This keeps the ways free of all the nasty junk that can mess up an otherwise wonderful experience. The plastic I use is flexible so it drapes well, but fairly heavy so it holds up and doesn't tear.

Third tip - I keep most all of my small stuff (sandpaper, CA, centers, calipers, etc) on a small side table next to the lathe. Water for wet sanding sits in covered, small, plastic cream cheese tubs (a diff tub for each grit). They never sit on the lathe.

Yeah, sounds involved. It isn't.

Enjoy the new lathe!
 
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Sure fire method: Put the 1015 in the closet and use the 1014. :biggrin:

I keep mine waxed and use a foil tray under things when I am wet sanding or using CA. When I have to, I scrape and sand the ways to get the crud off. If I keep up with the wax, it does not take much.
 
I'm also a 'clean freak' and love a clean lathe since it's my largest and most important investment while turning... I'm also 'cheap' or just hate spending money on things I already have... I use cardboard sheets to protect my lathe when sanding/finishing by taking a cereal or similar box and cut it into sections so it will cover my lathe bed and protect accidental spills/turning debris, etc. When they are filthy, I just throw them away and cut a new one!!! I routinely wax the lathe bed with cheap Johnson paste floor wax and squirt a few drops of WD-40 on the bedways inbetween wax applications to make the tailstock/banjoy slide easily. A shop vacuum and air compressor works wonders in keeping the chucks clean and lathe table spotless so I never loose a chuck or faceplate screw. Yeah, I know, clean freaks are nuts, but I NEVER spend time looking for a missing tool, screw or small finial in the turning debris!!! More time for turning!!! Safe turning to you always!
 
Boeshield T-9 is the best and it keeps the tail stock moving smoothly.
Bigger plastic trash bag over the bed with old paper towels on it when wet sanding.
 
Why would you want to keep a lathe clean and new looking? I keep the ways waxed and clean so the tool rest banjo and the tail stock slide, but the rest is all cosmetic and mine looks well used... matter of fact, my 1014 looks as if it has blood running down the front of it... it's just Paduak dust and CA but it's a nice red streak from a project a few years back.... I spend most of my time on the 1442 now and use the 1014 for a buffer, until my wife gets better and can get to the shop to try her hand at pens and bottle stoppers.

On any given day I'll have wood shavings piled to the bottom of the ways and under the tool cabinet and scattered around the floor... I scoop them up when I can't get close enough to the lathe to work or they threaten to flow over the top of the ways....
 
My lathe is three years old now, and it still looks as if it was just uncrated. I like to take care of my tools and I like for them to look good, I know that doesn't make them work any better, but it shows that I care about what I have. I clean my lathe up every six months, it entails blowing all the dirt off that I can, plus it includes wiping it down with paint thinner. After that is done, I give it a final wiping up with Final Wipe which is a product auto repair shops use just before painting a car. It removes all traces of grease and oil. Then I will wax the whole lathe with a good automotive wax, I do this twice a year to all of my equipment that is made of cast iron. I've been treating my tools to a cleaning like this for years, my TS still looks as it's new and I've had it for over twelve years. I take care of my equipment , and I'm proud of my clean shop.
Len
 
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