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Table Saw Lubrication

11K views 12 replies 9 participants last post by  gfadvm 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have a Grizzly G0691 Table Saw and the worm gears, angle stops, and the mechanism that raises and lowers the blade gets gunked up after a while and it makes it hard to make adjustments leading to inaccurate settings, like when when returning the saw to square, raising/lowering the blade or setting an angle. I tend to clean most of the gunk out with an air hose when this happens and then go back to work but I started to wonder if any of you use any kind of brushes for the stubborn areas and do you use any lubricant on these areas to get a longer and smoother operation between cleanings? Your answers are greatly appreciated!
 
#3 ·
I agree with Tedstor. I cleaned off all the heavy lubricant that came with my saw, and then sprayed all the working areas with a silicone dry lube. Works smoothly, and nothing ever sticks so I just blow off the loose dust and reapply once in a while.

When I did the original cleaning, I did use an old toothbrush and mineral spirits to get the heavy grease off of everything.
 
#4 ·
I probably am looking in the wrong section but the only dry lube I can find at the box stores is a graphite spray which is a lot of black mess and doesn't work well on my saw parts.

Where do you all get your "dry lube" and what is it?
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
Silicone can cause fisheye problems with lacquers and lots of water based finishes. You can not have them for years, then a tiny amount of silicone migrates to another area of the shop, and it's a PITA to eradicate. The properties that make silicone a great lube make it painful to remove.

Remember… ONE fisheye in the wrong spot can totally ruin your day…

I'm a big fan of the drip bottle Teflon based dry lubes sold in home centers, and motorcycle and bicycle shops. The less junk you attract, the longer you can go between maintenance sessions. I use them on most machine mechanisms that need to move, including gears, screw adjusters, and bushings.

This drip lube is one of my favorites, and is silicone-free. My local Lowes stores have it, in the tool area.

Folks should be aware that many of the PTFE products DO contain silicone. I assume they all do, unless they proudly state that they don't.

I deal with silicone in lubes it by keeping the bottles well away from the finishing materials, as in another room with my automotive and bicycle stuff, and only handling the bottle with fresh neoprene gloves. The gloves, paper towels, etc… get disposed of outside the shop, not in the shop trash, immediately after use. Don't put the bottle, gloves, etc… on your benches, tool tables, or shop tables. Drip lubes are easy to control, so I choose them over spray versions.

Silicon is an inert ingredient used to make electronic parts, sandpaper, glass, and metal alloys. It won't mess with you in the shop.

Am I the only one who uses new toothbrushes (panty hose, too… but that's another thread…)? They're so cheap, my dentist gives me a handful for free at every cleaning, so we develop a supply in the the closet…
 
#12 ·
Wax is good. I have used it too but found it easier to spray. And yes for sure not just any PTFE product will do. Make sure it says "Silicon Free". Like CessnaPilotBarry, I deal with silicone in lubes & waxes by keeping it in the garage with my automotive and bicycle stuff separate from my basement wood shop.
 
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