What do you use to lubricate the gears inside your table saw?
Mine tend to get clogged up with sawdust to the point where I can’t tilt the blade unless I clean off the worm gear.
TP
Toolpig (a.k.a. The man formerly known as “Toolfreak” and “Toolfanatic”)
Replies
lithium grease.
but it'll still require periodic cleaning.
Expert since 10 am.
I've been happy with dry powered graphite. Same stuff for door locks.
graphite works, and as you can see there are as many lubricants as there are,,,beers.
lithium grease is the old standard for metal to metal contact. most spray-on stuff is thin and doesn't last too long. even 'top cote' and the like. most anything works- i'm surprised no one mentioned k-y jelly...Expert since 10 am.
Dupont, makes a dry lube, "Teflon™ Multi-Use Lubricant - 11 Oz. Aerosol", that is an emulsion of Teflon and wax. Comes in a spray can. I bought the can I have at Lowers.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=213197-39963-D00110101&lpage=none
Check out the link below for what worked for me.
http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=32508.13
Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans .
I just used the Teflon for the first time last week, as far as lube goes it works great! IIRC, it's a common lubricant for bike chains, so it should be dry and not attract dust. Bike riders around here are serious, serious folk and they wouldn't allow any ounces of dirt freeloading and slowing them down! ;-) It's helpful to reach up there and daby with a rag to get any excess that's dripping off the gears. I did 2 applications, since it had been awhile since the gears had been lubed.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Grease will attract and hold sawdust quickly clogging things up.
Most table saw gurus will recommend using a furniture paste wax on the heli or worm gear mechanisms. Use an old toothbrush and work the wax onto the gear surfaces. Rotate the gears to get it on all the surface. Use a drop or two of 20 weight electric motor oil on the bearings that support the shafts for raising and tilting the blade.
Paste wax is an excellent low speed lubricant for gears and will not attract or hold grease. Applied annually will keep you saw working smoothly.
Products like graphite or teflon spray will work, but they wear off very quickly.
I do know the tech people at Delta recommend white lithium grease, which can be purchased in spray cans (with the the straw type applicator) from any auto supply store.
Yes, this stuff does attract some sawdust, but they claim it is not a problem -- and the white lithium is way better than any conventional grease in this regard.
********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
>> Yes, this stuff does attract some sawdust, but they claim it is not a problemAhh, but it is a problem. It's the build up of gunk filled sawdust that is impeding the raising and tilting of the saw of the original poster.Howie.........
Sure, it could be a problem if you use thick globs of white lithium grease. But I've used the spray on stuff since told to do so by the Delta guy, and I have had zero problems with the gears clogging up. I remember he said that this is the same grease used for bicycle chains that are subject to exposure to dirt and road grime.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Most of the bike chain lubricants these days are waxes.Here is a quote from a site relating to bike racing."Bicycle shops carry many different kinds of chain lubricants specifically designed for bikes. Many are made of wax or Teflon rather than grease, and will not leave stains when they touch clothing or skin. Nor do the pick up and hold dirt and dust. Everyone has opinions on which is best. Ask your mechanic."My recommendations are based on a machine mechanic that used to service the tools in the shop I was involved with and with maintenence recommendations contained in a number of table saw books as well as over 25 years of use on my saw.But, as the old saying goes, "your mileage may vary".Howie.........
Edited 1/25/2007 8:21 pm ET by HowardAcheson
From the quote you cited............"Everyone has opinions on which is best. Ask your mechanic."The "expert" (from Delta, who ought to know about TS's) I consulted suggested the sprayable white lithium grease, and it works for me -- and has for years. If you want to dig the wax out of your ears for a lube, I'm fine with that too, as long as it works for you.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
An oiler filled with 10w30. "Plip, plip, plip" on the cranks and gears.
The coverage lasts a VERY long time. Does it attract dust? Sure, but show me a lubricant that doesn't attract dust. It's a simple task to knock the "cake" free from the gears and I've never had an issue with raising/tilting.
I live within a stones throw of the surf line so rust and the prevention of it, as well as lubrication, are major issues. Spray litium and graphite are OK but they don't last and I can't make a part time job out of lubricating shop tools. Wax is useless, in my opinion, and cheap wax is the worst (for preventing rust).
So I use motor oil. 5 years and I'm still working from the same quart.
Regards...
To Toolpig: I'm still using a 1950's Sears 8" saw with gears made out of pot metal rather than cast iron.. for years I've used a candle (one of those things that you light - but don't do it here!) to lubricate the moving TS parts - I agree with other postings - don't use anything that holds sawdust.
Johnsons Paste Wax, the same stuff I use on all the cast iron tables in the shop. I use an old toothbrush to clean off the gear teeth, and then use the same brush to apply a little wax.
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