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Christopher K. Hartley
12-22-2006, 4:37 PM
Anyone have suggestions for cleaning up rails on the lathe real good?:confused:
Travis Stinson
12-22-2006, 4:43 PM
WD-40 and fine Scotchbrite pad.
Jonathon Spafford
12-22-2006, 4:56 PM
There is also a nice spray.... I think it is called Top-Cote and it works nicely for tools for protecting them and keeping the surfaces slick! A scotchbrite pad or some 320 will work nicely for cleaning 'em up though!
Gary Herrmann
12-22-2006, 5:04 PM
Fluid Film works as a good preventative, but I don't know how good it is as a cleaner. One of the wwing mags had a comparison article on rust preventatives several years ago and Fluid Film got the highest marks.
Christopher K. Hartley
12-22-2006, 5:59 PM
Thanks all!:)
Chris Barton
12-23-2006, 5:43 AM
Just a word or two about cleaning your "ways" ,"bed" or "rails" on a lathe. If they are too slick your tailstock won't lock down and will creep under pressure. I don't put lubricants on my lathe bed, not even wax.
David Fried
12-23-2006, 9:24 AM
If they are too slick your tailstock won't lock down and will creep under pressure.


OHhhhh ... I love how easily my tailstock slides after I've waxed the bed of my lathe but I have experienced tailstock creep. I was completely baffled, never associating the waxing with the creep. (slap head here).