Thread: Leave the grease?

I might remove all the grease every 6 months and replace it with more grease. Don't worry about saw dust sticking to the grease, its really a non issue. Put it this way, would you do the same with your car?.

Here's a video I watched back when I got my cabinet saw:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEFVRAKTzKM

You can remove it and use a PTFE spray or similar dry lube to reduce saw dust goop build up.

I didnt do this with my Carbatec saw a few years back as I didnt know any better but I wish I had. Same deal with router lift mechanisms that use chains etc.

Originally Posted by samo

You can remove it and use a PTFE spray or similar dry lube to reduce saw dust goop build up.

I didnt do this with my Carbatec saw a few years back as I didnt know any better but I wish I had. Same deal with router lift mechanisms that use chains etc.

I used the same but it doesn't last, especially on the trunnions. That's the reason why the machine comes with grease already applied, its there for a reason. Like the guy says in the video machine grease on a car attracts far worse than little plant fibre's.

Originally Posted by EagerBeaver71

I used the same but it doesn't last, especially on the trunnions.

I also use PTFE spray on my table saw's moving bits. I'm curious to hear how know it doesn't last, since it's invisible once dry.

Originally Posted by samo

You can remove it and use a PTFE spray or similar dry lube to reduce saw dust goop build up.

I didn't do this with my Carbatec saw a few years back as I didn't know any better but I wish I had. Same deal with router lift mechanisms that use chains etc.

I do the same and it lasts a couple of months at least, then just spray again. I know it needs doing when the rise and fall mechanism starts to get a bit tighter as when it's lubed, it's as free as a bird.

I just use candle wax, seems to work fine. IMO the grease on new equipment is primarily there to prevent rust. The tables are covered with grease, but you wouldn't dream of leaving it there.

Originally Posted by aldav

I just use candle wax, seems to work fine. IMO the grease on new equipment is primarily there to prevent rust. The tables are covered with grease, but you wouldn't dream of leaving it there.

The top isn't a moving part though.

Just so were talking about the same thing, I've used the WD40 Anti-Friction PTFE stuff, is that what people are using?, if so then I can't be spraying enough on because it doesn't seem to last very long as I can hear and feel metal on metal when parts are moving.

I guess there's a difference of opinion on this one but its always made sense to apply machine grease.

Originally Posted by EagerBeaver71

I've used the WD40 Anti-Friction PTFE stuff, is that what people are using?

That's what I use. If you're hearing metal-on-metal, I think you're right to use grease.

I'm another one who uses machine grease on relevant moving parts in my table saw & bandsaw plus other applications. I even occasionally strip down the tailstock of my lathe and apply machine grease to the quill before reassembly, and then wiping off excess once reassembled and wound in & out a couple of times. My router "lift" is a cheap scissor jack from Supercheap Auto, so the worm screw on that cops a slap of grease every so often too. 😀

I rarely need to "grease up" the moving parts more than once a year. When I do, I generally wipe off any previous grease and crud build-up, and then just apply clean grease. Admittedly, I get tins of grease for next to nothing, so cost is not an issue. I can't see the point in using expensive spray-on lubricants where they are not required. On the other hand, for the table saw and bandsaw tables, plus the lathe bed, I use Silverglide applied a couple of times a year or as needed (depends on how much I use the machines).

To put it another way - if grease was harmful or detrimental to a machine, I seriously doubt the manufacturers / suppliers would sell you a new machine with grease lubricated / protected moving parts.
The table tops of my table saw and bandsaw, and the bed of my lathe - were never coated with grease when I purchased them new. They did have some sort of a protective film applied which was dry to the touch, and needed a solvent to remove before applying something like paste wax or Silverglide.

Suppose it depends on what you mean by a lot of grease, if its literally been slathered on i'd be inclined to wipe the excess off. Slow moving parts do not need a lot of grease to keep things lubricated for smooth operation. If its slathered on i suspect its there to protect from rust rather than for lubricative purposes.

Will the excess grease cause issues? probably not, as with most worm gears it takes years of neglect before they start binding.

Should you leave to wipe off? id rather clean up the mess now rather than later on down the track when you've got grease and wood dust gummed up combined, it'll also give you a good opportunity to give everything a good once over before you put it it through its paces.

Thanks everyone. Thought this would be an open and shut case, but not so!

The grease is already caked in saw dust so too late for that. I might wipe some off but leave a reasonable layer. If it is a pain to clean then I’ll have to investigate a dry lubricant.