vise lubrication

[yves]

My vise's screw is dirty ans sounds like I'm grinding metal when I turn the handle.

I'll clean it with kerosene but what do you lubricate it with? And when the minus 30 degrees hit us up here what will still turn?

Thanks.

[clinton]

I use just regular old grease in mine but it rarely gets under 50 degrees fahrenheit here

[HWooldridge]

Try ATF for lube after cleaning.

[Brian D]

I like to use a dry lube that can be painted on wet and when it dries, it leaves a thick film of dry lubricant. It has worked well for me in the past.
The stuff I use is made by Loctite and is called Moly Dry Film Lubricant.
Some good reasons for dry lube...

• Not affected much by cold weather
• Dry does not attract dust, grit, junk
• Thick dry film stays in place better than grease or oil (does not squeeze out of threads)
  

[yves]

Thanks everyone.

[Moose Forge]

I just redid mine and I used white lithium grease from the local Home Despot.
Jim Dunning

[ThomasPowers]

I saw a neat mod to a columbian post vise---they have a hole in the back end of the screwbox and the owner brazed a cover for the hole and installed a Zerk in the center of it so the lube pushes crud *out* of the screwbox.

As for low temp lubes, ask around at the local farm store what they advise for your area!

[yves]

Again, thanks to every one.

ThomasPowers,
I did just that, ask around and a guy I had asked to came over that evening & lubricated the screw with some grease he says he uses all winter on his backhoe, with a smile, a few jokes on me and to "just tell him when I think I need some more". It works smooth and fine and sounds good because it does not make a sound anymore...