Q/R Vice lubrication?

[bugbear6502Participant @bugbear6502]

I've just finished stripping and cleaning a Woden Q/R engineers/fitters vice (around 3" jaw, 6" capacity).

The slide was a big stiff, so I've carefully filed it true, parallel and smooth, and the motion is now very nice – free with little slop.

Next step, reassemble, mount for a workmate, like this small one.

But for use – what's the best lubrication for the ways, thread/half nut, and screw-to-jaw contact?

Looking around my workshop, house and garage I found the following:

• Duckhams Keenol grease
• Hypoid gear oil EP80/90
• Car Engine oil SAE20/50
• Lawnmower engine oil SAE30
• 3-in-1
• GT85 (PTFE) cycle chain lubricant

Which would be best, and for what?

BugBear

[bugbear6502Participant @bugbear6502]

[Marischal EllisParticipant @marischalellis28661]

Candle wax?….just athought.

[bugbear6502Participant @bugbear6502]

Good point. Add

• Candle wax
• washing up liquid
• soap

To the list of available lubricants.

BugBear

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

Keep the grease off it as it will hold all the debris from using the vice, then vary sparingly use the SAE 30 or the PTFE spray. It is only really the thread on the closing shaft that needs any lube.

[bugbear6502Participant @bugbear6502]

Just got home – the jaw is 3 1/4" and the opening 4 1/4"

Slide lube'd with candle, thread (fully enclosed) with SAE50.

Looking forward to using it.

BugBear

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