chuck jaw lubrication

[colin563]

i haved used the search but cant find the answer to my question

what do you use to lubricate your chuck jaws

i read somewere to use graphite but i cant find it listed

thanks colin

[bogstandard]

Colin,

You don't want to go overlubricating your chuck, otherwise all it does is transfer swarf down into the scroll and that will cause undue wear.

The best idea is to take your jaws out on a regular basis, blow out anything that is in there, and you can buy spray can of graphited assembly and run in lubricant. A tiny squirt onto the jaw scrolls will keep it working well. I have had mine for about 10 years now, and there is still plenty left.

This is what I use, but it is rather expensive (I didn't pay for it, it was given as a sample)

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=88738

But you could just as easily use this

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=25141

Hope this helps

Bogs

[Gerhard Olivier]

Hi colin
Just spotted some graphite dry lock lubricant on ebay ( shop was called straws ironmongers) about same price and in John's link and one should last a lifetime if you only have to use a little bit.

Gerhard

[colin563]

thanks john thats what i wanted after i found out what is was called i found the listing on ebay

thanks for the replies on such a silly question


colin

[sbwhart]

Zinc Sterate is a good dry lubricant if you can get hold of it, we used it to lubricate pressing tools to press powders.

Stew

[bogstandard]

Not a silly question at all Colin.

You didn't know the answer, so why not ask?

I do, if I want to know something.

I am sure there are many members on here that didn't know the answer to your question, so by you asking, they know as well now.


Bogs

[dsquire]

thanks for the replies on such a silly question

colin

Colin

The only silly question is the one that isn't asked.

Sometimes you have to ask what might seem silly to you.

If you ask then the answer might be yes, no or anything in between. If you don't ask the question then you are not giving the person the opportunity to say no or even yes when you least expect it. 

Cheers 

Don

[jatt]

Zinc Sterate  ---- sounds like one of the compounds that goes into making rubber.  Dont ask me what property it gives rubber; I'm not a chemist I just worked there.  Not sure where they got it from.

[Gerhard Olivier]

Not silly at all
I didnt know what the stuff was for-  just seen it and remembered when John B said about it.
So thanks for that.

Gerhard

[bogstandard]

If any of you lads start to make engines in the Stirling or flame licker designs you will find that dry graphite will be a very useful addition to your lubrication collection in your shop. It is sometimes the only lubrication that can be used.


Bogs

[Stefan Pynappels]

Would a Teflon based Dry Lube be any good for this? I used to sell this stuff in a previous life to lubricate the slides on large table saws used to cut chipboard for kitchen manufacture and on CNC routers for the same application. It is rated to 250degC and when dry will only be 30 um (micron)thick. If it is any good, I have half a dozen cans of it in a box and can send it out to anyone who'd like to try it. (1 can reserved for Spuddevans, he gives me shoptime)

Stefan

[spuddevans]

(1 can reserved for Spuddevans, he gives me shoptime)

Woo hoo, bribery and corruption!! I love it 

Tim

[bogstandard]

You wil find that a Teflon based lube is totally different to the way graphite works.

Teflon gives a single layer of a very low friction material, and you will find it wears away.

Graphite on the other hand forms a layer of flattened lozenge shaped molecules that ride on top of each other, and gives a very long lasting lubrication layer.

Teflon to make it slick, graphite to give prolonged use.

Bogs

[rleete]

I have this graphite lube that is liquid.  Shake well, to get the powder well suspended in the fluid, and apply a single drop.  The liquid part flashes off, and you're left with a very fine coating of graphite on the surface.  Great for getting into bushings without disassembly.  Very messy if you aren't careful.  The graphite is so fine, that if you get it on your fingers, it soaks in and stains them for a couple of days.

A single 2.5 ounce bottle has lasted me for many years, and I probably won't use it all before I'm dead and burried.

[ozzie46]

(1 can reserved for Spuddevans, he gives me shoptime)

Woo hoo, bribery and corruption!! I love it 

Tim

  I thought this was a forum for machinists not Politicians.   


 Ron

[slowcoach]

Thats why i like this forum, I learn something new everytime i look in! 

[28ten]

I'll get some of that powdered graphite, thanks for the tip.