I'm trying to set up my shop. Yesterday I visited the wonder that is Harbor Freight. Among my finds are a 30" shear/brake, and a vise. They have a thick coat of sticky grease on them that's picking up lots of wood dust (from my project to make room for my tools).
Should this grease be removed? Can any old degreaser be used? Once it's off, is silicon spray sufficient?
I would be very careful. The stuff has testosterone in it, and if you remove it, next thing you will want to do is go wallpaper shopping. Then you'll be into pastel shop coats.
Ever notice how a MAN'S shop smells? No cinnamon or clove stuff in there ..................
COSMOLINE! Now, that's a man's smell ...................
I actually prefer to use either Stoddard solvent (available at oil distributors) or mineral spirits (paint thinner). Kerosene is a light oil and doesn't have the solvent power of the others. Yes, it works, just not as well, and the smell leaves something to be desired. Both paint thinner and Stoddard solvent will evaporate completely, unlike kerosene. I save the kerosene for machining aluminum.
If your shop is heated, you might consider running a small dehumidifier to keep rust at bay. Works great, and adds a little heat to the shop in the bargain, making the cost of operation a little more of a bargain. I do nothing to my machines to prevent rust and have no trouble with it, thanks to a dehumidifier. If you're interested, Sears sells them at a bargain price. Nope, I don't work there, or own stock! :-)
I have that same tool and the gunk was thick, sticky, and tenacious. What you need, besides the solvent, is an old credit card for a scraper, so you don't have to actually dissolve it all off. In fact, use a current credit card and you'll save a lot of money!
I love getting all those free scrapers the credit card companies send me in the mail about every day.
Most "silicone" spray is just mineral spirits, and they wave a little silicone in front of the tub when they make up the batch at the plant. Worthless as a preservative.
That rifle hanging on the wall of the working-class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there. - George Orwell
My wife showed up with one for my birthday. I had to take it apart to get it out of the car, at which point I cleaned everything. It's on a table that was about as heavy as it so they aren't going anywhere. I usually use mineral spirits for such operations...
PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.