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Cleaning and Storing Centers

M

Marshall Sadler

Joined
Aug 17, 2017
Messages
37
Likes
10
Location
Lawton, Oklahoma
After a production run of wet Locust bowls, I found that some of my centers and tool rest posts had some light rust. Is there a good way to clean the tapers on my centers? The rust is not too bad, it's really only on my Jacobs chuck. It's mostly on the top part of the taper, this part doesn't go into the quill. There is little rust further down the taper. So far this rust hasn't caused any problems.

Both my centers and posts were "stored" on a plywood sheet with holes drilled into it. As of now I am thinking of storing my centers in the plastic tubes my Carter & Sons tools have come in. Will this new storage method be a problem/breeding ground for rust? Do any of you have any good ideas for storing centers/tool rests?
 
Quite likely the rust was from the production turning and not so much from the plywood. Clean it up with steel wool or scotchbrite and oil or wax them. You could also oil or wax the plywood to deter moisture retention. As far as storage in plastic, if there is moisture trapped in the container the part will rust.
 
Wax will help trap moisture, don’t wax any items unless you know they are 100% free of moisture first.
What I do after turning wet/green wood is use the air hose to remove as much moisture/ wet shavings etc, first. I then wipe all surfaces down with a blue shop towel soaked in WD40.
If I have any green wood sludge buildup on the lathe bed etc. I will use a scotch brite pad and WD40 to remove this as well, then once that is done do a final wipe down with a clean shop towel.
P.S. Don’t store your centers in the plastic tubes, if there is any residual moisture they will rust.
 
Good information. An added question- is it necessary to disassemble centers to clean out the inside parts? I know that some things aren't conducive to disassemble. Sort of like trying to put a small appliance back in the box for a store return- "How the heck do they do it?"
Compressed air? This would justify the cost of my new air compressor. Lubrication?
 
If wax or oil was put on the center taper, wouldn't that prohibit the taper from doing its job of locking together? I remember reading somewhere that you weren't supposed to lubricate tapers. As of now I have my Jacobs chuck and Oneway Live center in the wooden box my Bulldog chuck came in. The centers themselves and the two aluminum cones barely fit. I am worried that them constant hitting each other will damage them; that's why I thought the plastic tubes would be a good idea.
 
John Torchick said:
Good information. An added question- is it necessary to disassemble centers to clean out the inside parts? I know that some things aren't conducive to disassemble. Sort of like trying to put a small appliance back in the box for a store return- "How the heck do they do it?"
Compressed air? This would justify the cost of my new air compressor. Lubrication?
Click to expand...

I think that my spur drive centers would be hard to disassemble. :D

A trash compactor is a handy appliance to have when you need to repackage something for a store return. :rolleyes:
 
Most of my spur drives are stored on lathe racks. Have one or two in drawer in kazian foam . I do not thing bumping would hurt unless hits point and that you could push into Styrofoam. As to jacobs they do not take to moisture very well. Mine is stained and once locked up on me and WD40 did the trick.
 
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