Vise Cleaning

[Lavcat]

I just received a Palmgren mill vise, as part of my now nine month continuing saga to drill twelve holes. The Palmgren seems reasonably well made, though the milling on the ways is not as pretty as I might like, and the milled surfaces are not as smooth as on my Proxxon vise.

Here is my noob question: the vise is covered in grease and the instructions say to "Clean and remove all rust preventatives from all machined surfaces and spindle." They do not say how. I assume I should use some solvent, but what solvent should I use? Preferably something easy to find, cheap, nonexplosive and not foul smelling. I have on hand nail polish remover and alcohol, but that is about it.

 

[grimberg]

Try this.

1 qt. Odorless Mineral Spirits-QKSP94005CA at The Home Depot

 

[KrankKall]

I just you Simple Green and paper towels....LOTS of paper towels.

Steve

 

[Speedskater]

a] Awesome cleaner at one of the dollar stores.
b] An orange oil cleaner at the auto parts store.
c] WD-40

 

[Lavcat]

Thanks. I had never heard of Simple Green. Would you use Simple Green on steel and cast iron that could rust? I'll see if I can find Simple Green or mineral spirits locally.

 

[KrankKall]

I've never had a rusting problem with Simple Green?
But then again, almost nothing rusts in New Mexico either.

Steve

 

[Lavcat]

Went shopping for mineral spirits or Simple Green. Did not find either. Will try a different store tomorrow.

 

[grimberg]

Isn't there a Home Depot or Lowe's store near you?

 

[Lavcat]

There are both a Lowe's and a Home Depot several miles away. But this is a semi-rural area and I do not have a vehicle.

Edit: there used to be a well stocked local hardware store, but the chain stores put them out of business.

 

[Brian Oshman]

Brake cleaner.

 

[Bibliophile]

Kerosene/engine degreaser should work.

 

[dchisholm]

"Mineral Spirits" is sometimes sold in containers labeled simply "Paint Thinner".

Dale

 

[Lavcat]

Went to another store but found none of the above suggestions. I suppose I could order mineral spirits on line.

 

[sofaspud]

I'd probably just go buy a 1/2 gallon of diesel fuel, with maybe a 2nd scrub of Dawn dish soap and water.

 

[Lavcat]

Well, there is a gas station nearby that used to sell Diesel fuel, at least back twenty years ago when I had a Diesel Jeep. I'm still holding out for mineral spirits though. I mentioned my quandary to a coworker this afternoon, and she said she had a jar of mineral spirits sitting on her kitchen floor.

 

[Brian Oshman]

Just go to an auto parts store and get brake cleaner. It comes in an areosol can. Will clean it right up.

 

[Lavcat]

You don't fully understand the problem. This is a rather rural area. I do not own a vehicle. I don't walk as well as I once did. There used to be an auto parts store but like the hardware store they are long since out of business. About four miles away there is a hardware store that maybe I can get to. But most of my hardware comes from the Internet.

 

[pinkmouse]

What's wrong with petrol, (gasoline)? It does the job. Just work outside, wear old clothes and rubber gloves and don't smoke whilst you work.

 

[Lavcat]

Thanks for all the suggestions! This afternoon a friend kindly gave me a ride to the closest Home Depot, and since she is disabled we got to park right near the door. Lots of mineral spirits. I now have a vise clean enough to eat off.

Tomorrow I'll slather it up with way oil and see about getting it square on the x-y table. I suspect I'm gonna need some washers though that I don't have. Should have thought of that in Home Depot.

 

[Lavcat]

As an update the mineral spirits seem to have left a slight white residue in the cracks and in the thread of the spiral shaft. Is this a problem?