Q:

How do I keep my expensive lathe and bandsaw from damage and rust caused by cutting and turning green wood? Will the wood raise the humidity level in the shop and cause other tools to rust?

Rich Lehmann, Glendale, CA

A:

Green wood can rust unpainted cast-iron surfaces very quickly. So sweep up chips at the end of every turning session, even if you’re only going to lunch. I usually end any greenwood turning session by vacuuming the machines and the shop, then giving bare metal surfaces a coating of WD-40. That will take care of humidity problems that the shavings may create. Green shavings dry quickly, so it’s a good idea to remove them at the end of the day to minimize a fire hazard.

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