What is best lubricant to use when cleaning and reassembling a 4 jaw screw chuck. I have seen recommendations including; nothing, dry lubricant, way oil (?), grease, heavy oil and paste wax. So not sure what to use
What is best lubricant to use when cleaning and reassembling a 4 jaw screw chuck. I have seen recommendations including; nothing, dry lubricant, way oil (?), grease, heavy oil and paste wax. So not sure what to use
odie, now I have an excuse to buy an air compressor. I can tell my wife, "odie highly recommends one for cleaning the lathe chuck."One very important thing to do, is to blow out any accumulated dust EVERY time the chuck is used.
odie, now I have an excuse to buy an air compressor. I can tell my wife, "odie highly recommends one for cleaning the lathe chuck."
I don't think I have ever disassembled a chuck to clean & lubricate. I bought my first 4-jaw chuck in 1991 (checked my inventory list ) and have 9-10 chucks. I frequently blow them out with compressed air, but if I ever think they need some lubrication I mount it on the lathe. First, find a cardboard box just large enough to sit on the lathe bed and still clear the top of your chuck…..cut off the opening flaps. Place under the chuck to catch any drips. Liberally spray the scroll & each jaw slide with WD-40….opening and closing with the key and more spraying (the cans with the thin tube works real well). After you have it all "juiced up" with WD-40, stand the box up on the bed as close to the headstock as possible. Turn on the lathe … fast!!! The box will catch all the spray! Stop and wipe any residue (if any) on the chuck body with a paper towel.
odie, now I have an excuse to buy an air compressor. I can tell my wife, "odie highly recommends one for cleaning the lathe chuck."
The lube is a secret, but the SDS sounds bad. I looked at a thread on a gun forum and folks there were about evenly split between hating and loving it. Apparently it leaves a thin waxy film which may be good or bad depending on what you use it for. Some reloaders liked it and others didn't. If it contained molybdenum disulfide, it would show have shown up on the SDS as a hazardous ingredient. Also, moly turns everything black. I suspect that it might be a dry silicone lube. Because of all the toxic VOC's it is a very good cleaner.
I saw a video of a maintenance person at vicmarc cleaning a chuck. You may go to the vicmarc site and check if the video is there. He used something on them but I cannot remember what it was. Best to use what manufacturers use then take chances.
He said that they used a lithium grease and he used a small paint brush to lightly brush on a small amount of lube on the ring gear and pinions. ....
Tom, I think that it is just a multi-purpose grease.Just took my Sorby Patriot chuck back off and was surprised to find a grease like lubricant. Am used to open backs and using a dry lubricant on gears, etc. what kind of grease do they use and do I need it or can I just use a dry lubricant?
Just took my Sorby Patriot chuck back off and was surprised to find a grease like lubricant. Am used to open backs and using a dry lubricant on gears, etc. what kind of grease do they use and do I need it or can I just use a dry lubricant?
Use no lubricant and just keeping things clean