Arbor Press Maintenance

[richardca99]

I have a new 21st Century Arbor Press. Am I supposed to lightly grease or oil the main post? Though new, it's got a light speckling of rust on it. I assumed it was stainless, but it's only very slightly magnetic, so it's got enough carbon in it to corrode.

I can obviously hit it with 0000 steel wool, but I'm afraid that grease or oil will make it hard to get the sliding seating ram to lock in place.

What do you guys do with your arbor presses?

 

[Terry O]

I would stay away from using steel wool. Getting wool partials into the bearing/bushing would be a bad thing. I use Ballistol to wipe down bare metal with good results.

 

[SheepDog]

Since you can no longer get a good lead based anti-seize find some aluminum/zinc (silver color) anti-seize and coat the ram with it. Stroke it up and down to fully coat the bushings and then wipe it off with a dry cloth. It should leave enough residue to turn the color to a dull aluminum. That coating will dry on it and keep the rust away. Once in a while you can add a couple of drops of oil to refresh the anti-seize but not enough to make it look wet. Too much oil and it will collect dirt and cause wear.

My arbor press is older than I am and it shows no wear at all - and it has seen its share of rough work.

 

[PatMiles]

Why not call 21st Century and ask them.

 

[Webster]

Since you can no longer get a good lead based anti-seize find some aluminum/zinc (silver color) anti-seize and coat the ram with it. Stroke it up and down to fully coat the bushings and then wipe it off with a dry cloth. It should leave enough residue to turn the color to a dull aluminum. That coating will dry on it and keep the rust away. Once in a while you can add a couple of drops of oil to refresh the anti-seize but not enough to make it look wet. Too much oil and it will collect dirt and cause wear.

My arbor press is older than I am and it shows no wear at all - and it has seen its share of rough work.

I have a new 21st Century Arbor Press. Am I supposed to lightly grease or oil the main post? Though new, it's got a light speckling of rust on it. I assumed it was stainless, but it's only very slightly magnetic, so it's got enough carbon in it to corrode.

I can obviously hit it with 0000 steel wool, but I'm afraid that grease or oil will make it hard to get the sliding seating ram to lock in place.

What do you guys do with your arbor presses?

After each use wipe all the parts you touch with a lightly oiled rag. Acid in finger prints will encourage rust. Anti-seize isn't needed in this application. You don't have a situation where galling might occur. I worked in R&D for an oil Co. Cover the press when not using with cloth, paper towel or plastic wrap. Don't get paranoid about airborne dust.

 

[Iowa Fox]

I like Strong Arm for a rust preventative. Rub it in well and leave it sit for weeks, usually the rust disappears. For grease I use TW25 on everything these days. Ain't cheap but its the slipperiest stuff I've found that doesn't stink to high heaven or make a gummy mess.