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Best cleaner for old lathe

G

Goldxxx

Member
Now that it’s above freezing in the GTA I’m going to attempt to open up my South Bend 13 lathes headstock. I want to clean and service the felts and oil pathways. I don’t know how long it’s been since they have been done.
Can anyone recommend a cleaner other than brake fluid? I’m not really concerned about the original paint surfaces. I just want the internals clean so I can replace the felt wicks and top it up with the proper fluids.
 
for removing grease/gum/crud I've been using this Paslode degreaser cleaner which is marketed around cleaning air tools. Mostly on external bit (shrouds/ways/cross-slide/apron). What I like about it is the low residue, and it dries clean -- and doesn't smell like diesel. For heavy degreasing, straight diesel/varsol etc.

I suspect you'll get lots of different replies on this one -- all fluid questions do.
 
I've never tried Paslode before, but I might give it a try. I typically use low-odour varsol for most of my cleaning of oil surfaces.
 
The Paslode stuff looks promising. The low odour varsol is pretty cost effective. H-Hardware has it. I might have to try both.
 
It was suggested to me on my recently acquired Standard-Modern Utilathe to add a half pint or so of Kerosene and running the gearbox for a few mins to let it circulate and wash things down. Then drain the gearbox completely and wash out with more clean Kerosene. I imagine mineral spirits or paint thinner would also do, but they are much less 'slippery' or lubricating.
 
calgaryguy said:
It was suggested to me on my recently acquired Standard-Modern Utilathe to add a half pint or so of Kerosene and running the gearbox for a few mins to let it circulate and wash things down. Then drain the gearbox completely and wash out with more clean Kerosene. I imagine mineral spirits or paint thinner would also do, but they are much less 'slippery' or lubricating.
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Standard Modern themselves recomend Kerosene to flush the gearboxes on my 1660.
 
YYCHM said:
Ya, I've done X.25..... Not so difficult. Ever reverse engineer a protocol by staring at a data scope for days upon end?
Click to expand...

You old fellers had it hard. I havent had to touch an oscilloscope for at least 15 years now, maybe 20.
 
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Goldxxx said:
Does this gearbox sit in a bath of oil normally? Is it the quick change gearbox or the gear clusters behind the spindle?
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Yes, oil filled headstock, gearbox and apron. They recommend draining oil, fill with kerosene and running for several minutes, then drain Kero and refill with fresh oil.
 
I’m not too sure if I’m in the same boat with my South Bend 13. I might have to resort to a squirt bottle and my Mother in Laws toothbrush on some of the nooks and cranny’s.
 
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