Any tips for cleaning up and using old lathes.

[Perry Hilbert Jr]

I recently picked up some older but quite serviceable lathes for dirt cheap. I would like to clean one, an old 11 x 36 Tomlee and give it to a friend. The other is a 1950's Kerle Spinning lathe. I want to keep for myself. Bearings and bushings appear to be good, both are complete and came with a few accessories. (A set of spiinning tools came with the Kerle. ) Both have minor surface rust on the ways, but nothing that would cause pits or affect use.

[david privett]

might want to try a scotchbright wheel and a drill and some minwax on bare iron.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

Barkeeper's Friend. It's a cleanser like Comet, Ajax and Bon Ami. But BKF forms some acid that supposed to dissolve rust. It works well. But the rust can't be too bad.... Follow with your favorite rust preventer. Which is a whole discussion in itself.......

[Robert D Evans]

Any light oil or WD40 and steel wood will gently remove the rust from the bed ways. I use this method to take rust off of guns without damaging the bluing.