[jim_stoll]

I just graduated from my very utilitarian Taig mill vise to a snazzy looking toolmaker's vise for my mini mill. It came sealed in plastic and swimming in a small pool of oil... What is the proper thing to do? Do I just wipe it down with a rag and allow the oil to continue protecting the surface? (is it there to protect the surface, or for some kind of oil hardening process or what, anyway?) Do I scrub it down with soap and water or some type of degreaser and have a dry, but more rust-prone tool?

Appreciate any (serious :-) advice!!

Jim

[big_mak]

Cleaning with Varsol is pretty standard. It will clean off the oil and leave a bit of a film!!!!!!

[Chuck Reamer]

I usually just wipe everything off with a rag, and then spray it with a lubricant of some sort. I use something by LPS, but even WD-40 will work or just wipe a little bit of way lube on it to prevent rust.

I think its on there to stop it from rusting before its been sold.

[Cam129]

Frank Hoose has some advice at www.mini-lathe.com After cleaning I tend to put a few drops of good grade sewing machine or 3in1 oil on a rag and wiping down the bare metal surfaces of my mini-lathe. A little WD 40 works almost as well, I'm told that over a long period of time, it doesn't give as much protection as sewing machine oil.