Ballistol Lathe bed cleaner, lubricator and protectant
Dear Fellow turners:
A few years ago I discovered Ballistol. It is not a petroleum based product instead it is mineral oil based. A few of the advantages to this product are:
It is bio-degradeable.
It emulsifies (mixes) with water.
It penetrates cast iron and permanantly bonds with trapped moisture.
It has a very low surface tension which enables it to penetrate very small spaces.
It is slightly alkaline (8.3 PH) so it neutralizes acids such as those from you hands etc.
It dissolves traces of lead, copper etc. making it excellant for cleaning weapons.
After the first time I put it on my Stubby lathe bed, I needed to slide the tail stock back out of the way (I previously was using WD 40) and it almost went off the end of the bed and on to the floor!
I now use it on all the equipment in my shop and I have no rust problems (in FL and the door is open all summer).
Don