New Lathe ?

[Thomas Heck]

I was blessed to get rid of the old harbor freight mini lathe and get a delta 46-460. In the manual, it says to treat the lathe weekly with household floor paste wax or other material made for this purpose. Just curious what you all use to keep your lathes from rusting. Thanks,
Thomas

[allen thunem]

silicone spray

[curtis rosche]

i painted mine, and if any part gets rusted, it means i need to get off the couch and get into the shop more.
so basically use it enough so it doesnt rust!!!

[Scott Hackler]

Although its humid here (most of the time) it's not so bad that a nice coat of Johnson's Paste Wax hasn't worked for me, on ALL my steel bed ways (saws, jointer and lathe). I have used this method since high school.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Been using Johnson's Paste Wax for years... works great!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Used Johnson paste wax every since I have been woodworking and turning. I use it on all my machine surfaces.

[Scott Gibbons]

I use Johnson Paste Wax, even on my granite table saw. Congrats on the lathe, mine arrived on Wednesday. So far I have made nothing but dust and curls but I am not complaining :)

[Greg Just]

I just waxed my lathe today.

[Thomas Heck]

Thanks fellows. Looks like Paste Wax seems to get the nod. I appreciate the quick replies.

[Derek Gilmer]

Johnson's paste wax with wd40 between times here. I turned some very green walnut that seemed to flash rust it over night. After seeing that on my week old 46-460 I freaked out. I began wiping the exposed metal down with dw40 after every session after that.

[Cory Norgart]

+1 on curtis just use it...

[John Keeton]

silicone sprayGenerally speaking, anything with silicone is to be avoided in a woodworking shop. It will play havoc with some finishes and has a tendency to go everywhere. If you have it on your lathe ways, it will get on your hands, then on the finished turning. For sure, never use it on a tablesaw, planer or jointer.

Another vote for Johnson Paste Wax, but more importantly, I think regular maintenance is the key. I have no rust on my shop machines, though most are not used often. It is the pitting from rust that causes the problem. If you get a spot of rust, sand it immediately with 600 grit and treat it with wax. Getting rid of the surface rust, and sanding the microscopic pits will prevent that same spot from rusting again.

[Ken Hill]

I was just going to post to avoid silicone where you can in a shop. It causes all kinds of issues with finishes!

[Thomas Heck]

Thanks again, I've looked at several local stores and finally found the paste wax. Do you just wax the bed or most of the machine? Thanks,

[Bill Wyko]

Absolutely do not use silicon spray in any proximity of your woods. It will travel through the air into every crevice in your shop. When you go to do finish, everything that it touched will fish eye. This is from experience so trust me on this, use a wax that is whiped on and be sure to whipe off anyexcess.

[Jamie Donaldson]

Only a new owner would wax the entire machine more than once! I prefer to clean oxidation/stains on my tools with WD-40 and gray ScotchBrite pads rather than sandpaper. Never use silicone, or you will have fish-eye defects in your finish!

[Harry Robinette]

I use to use wax but my tail stock started to slip all the time. I've been using PG2000 for about a couple of months now and I love it,everything slides like it's on ball bearings and locks down tight and don't slip it's the best thing I've found in 14 years of turning.

[Wally Dickerman]

I live in the desert so rust doesn't happen....:)

[Harvey Ghesser]

Ballistol. Love the stuff.

[Donny Lawson]

I just wipe it on for a minute and wipe it off. If I notice any rust on the equipment I use a little 0000 steel wool first then wax. I've got rust on my tablesaw now but thats my fault. I've been using it as a work table for the past few days. I forgot and laid some freash cut wood on top. Easy fix though.

[John Keeton]

I live in the desert so rust doesn't happen....:)But, Wally, doesn't your cast iron get dehydrated????:eek::D

[David E Keller]

But, Wally, doesn't your cast iron get dehydrated????:eek::D

I believe he may lovingly apply a thin coat of a high quality lotion to prevent excessive drying of the cast iron.:p