Do people lubricate drill press columns?

Mark Rand RTFM

That must be way thick!

Mark, thanks, that's just what I need.

I spray all of mine with the "liquid" white lithium grease that comes in an aerosol can. When the solvent dries, it "thickens" up to form a nice thin film.

How about graphite or paste wax? Or both.

I have some graphite spray. I will try it on some piece of metal first, and if it looks good I will apply it to the column.Thanks

When I got mine, It was a little greasy, so I haven't had to lube the column. I'd go with the vert. way lube someone else suggested. As for the lifting device on my bench mount, I have a 3000# scissor jack atop the base to lift the table. I can't believe how smooth it works. Found it somewhere in RCM in the google archives.

Be careful using graphite or Moly . Remember , you also want it to stay where you clamp it . I've always just used enough light machine oil to keep it from rusting - gun oil works well too .

I have some gun oil, also. Thanks.

Mark Rand RTFM

Yes. Though wax works better. Grease and oil tend to be dust/dirt magnets on columns

Gunner

"Liberalism is a philosophy of consolation for Western civilization as it commits suicide"

- James Burnham

In Florida, I use an anti-rust lubricant/protectant - Birchwood-Casey's Sheath or Midway's Rust Prevent on all bare machine surfaces.... Joel on the rust coast.

What breaks on it?

I wonder how that would work in an enviroment where a Clausing drill press is drilling aprox 1 - 5 5/8 dia x .300 to .750 holes per part every 3 minutes in cast iron. For some reason, the elevation gear box gets broken periodically.

Wouldn't that grab and hold metal dust?

Wes

Our people here manage to break one elevator box about every year.

Inevitably, it's due to some mook who "forgets" the table is locked, and honks on the crank until something gives.

LLoyd

Didn't say it was a good idea, just what the stuff was :-)

One assumes that Gunners suggestion of a wax would do a much better job where there is cast iron dust or wood dust about. Or fit gaiters to the column maybe.

the problem I have with my far-east floor mounting drill press (apart from it not having power feed or a geared head or any rigidity or coolant etc) is not friction between the table and the column but friction between the rack and the gear that raises the table. Luckily I have an older, better bench mounting drill press in the garage that I'll move into the workshop when I get round to making a stand for it.

Mark Rand RTFM

In this case the elevation gearbox is on the head since the 'table' is a balancing spindle.

I'm thinking it could be an issue with the locks and brain activity.

Wes