Lathe cleaning..........

[kevinnevius]

Good morning all:

I had a dumb question to ask - how do you clean up your lathe and other equipment? I have tried light machine oil (like Remclean), but the years of brown cutting fluids and gunk are really hard to get off.

I have seen some pictures of some high volume shops with immaculate lathes - hoping these are some easy clean-up methods out there!!

Thanks, hope all of you are well,

kev

 

[Louis.J]

I used the below Tub Of Towels to clean my BP Mill that had years of hard build up on it. Worked nicely for me but it does take a bit elbow grease but it all came off and turned out quite nice. Dark spots are just missing paint.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003...&pd_rd_r=970f560d-17fe-48e0-a58a-bee43c4fbc06

 

[savet06]

I don't know if there are any easy ways to clean an older machine - I have three that I have had down to bare bones, and it just takes time and a good degreaser. Wax and grease remover works well for most of it, and then there are products like ZEP or simple green that can work as well. WD-40, in a pinch, will take off a decent amount of grime.
So many choices...so much time.
Brass or nylon brushes help with the heavier stuff, but when grease and oil has had a chance to set/varnish it is never quick.
Naval jelly will also work and will take the paint off right with all those stains!

 

[rsmithsr]

simple green and industrial paper towels
rub and scrub
re lube when done

 

[Zebra13]

Kev,

I've cleaned a few machines and have yet to find anything better than maroon Scotch Brite pads dipped in a solvent such as parts washer solvent.

The Tub o' Towels suggestion by Louis is solid as well. They work well on painted surfaces.

Justin

 

[Rubicon Prec.]

Some cheap Home Depot 2” chip brushes and diesel or kerosene.

 

[jackie schmidt]

Good morning all:

I had a dumb question to ask - how do you clean up your lathe and other equipment? I have tried light machine oil (like Remclean), but the years of brown cutting fluids and gunk are really hard to get off.

I have seen some pictures of some high volume shops with immaculate lathes - hoping these are some easy clean-up methods out there!!

Thanks, hope all of you are well,

kev

When you get through cleaning yours, feel free to come by my Shop and wipe some of mine down

http://benchrest.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=24444&stc=1&d=1615162796

 

[BillBrawand]

kev,

i've cleaned a few machines and have yet to find anything better than maroon scotch brite pads dipped in a solvent such as parts washer solvent.

The tub o' towels suggestion by louis is solid as well. They work well on painted surfaces.

Justin

ihave used scotch brite for cleaning my case necks for over 40 yrs.

 

[kevinnevius]

Thanks all - great suggestions!

I am always looking for a way to hit the "easy button"...…..nothing replaces good old elbow grease though does it!

Thanks again,

kev

 

[blades]

mineral spirits another choice ( basicly Stodard solvent - parts cleaner)

 

[adamsgt]

I used Krud Kutter on a big mill that came off an auction. Worked great.

 

[Pete Wass]

The Easy way

Thanks all - great suggestions!

I am always looking for a way to hit the "easy button"...…..nothing replaces good old elbow grease though does it!

Thanks again,

kev

is to find one of George Bush's "Guest Workers" to do it for you

Pete

 

[JerrySharrett]

Main thing, don't use compressed air to clean a machine tool.


/

 

[brickeyee]

Main thing, don't use compressed air to clean a machine tool.
/

This.
Over and over.
You will drive chips into places they should not be.

And taking things apart to remove them will make removing the crud look easy.