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  1. #16
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Adelaide
    Age
    56
    Posts
    25

    Default Do you cover your machine?

    Yep, if it's not on, it's not on!
    I always cover my machines when not in use, it helps to keep dust off them which aids with avoiding corrosion.
    I've found that the cheap motorcycle covers available from Cheap As Chips work very nicely as machine covers and that a BBQ cover slips nicely over the single point t&c grinder.
    I like the nice cheap alternatives.

    Cheers,
    Creedy

  2. #17
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    Mine generally get covered - old doona covers or bed sheets. The Van Norman mill and the shaper prefer fitted sheets as they pull in around the base and don't leave you with excess material that drags on the floor, collects dirt and becomes a trip hazard when you stand on one end and then step through the drape...

    Definitely need to make sure they have some form of oil etc on bare metal parts before covering. Don't wipe them down perfectly clean with a dry cloth (or any solvent) before covering as they end up too clean and will have fine surface rust after as little as a couple of weeks.

    Steve

  3. #18
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    283

    Default Dust

    Sydney - humidity. Sawdust and 'other' dust holds moisture.
    So I cover both the lathe and the mill bed with light plastic sheeting. Stuff accumulates on top of the plastic. No condensation underneath.

    Incidentally, when I bought the lathe I clamped a number of square 10 W 'Fireproof' resistors to various places out of sight, to keep the lathe warm and above the condensation temperature. This has worked well over the last 20 years. Can't remember: about 20 W total power consumption.

    Cheers
    Roger

  4. #19
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    N.W.Tasmania
    Posts
    1,407

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rcaffin View Post
    Sydney - humidity. Sawdust and 'other' dust holds moisture.
    So I cover both the lathe and the mill bed with light plastic sheeting. Stuff accumulates on top of the plastic. No condensation underneath.

    Incidentally, when I bought the lathe I clamped a number of square 10 W 'Fireproof' resistors to various places out of sight, to keep the lathe warm and above the condensation temperature. This has worked well over the last 20 years. Can't remember: about 20 W total power consumption.

    Cheers
    Roger
    I like your idea using 10W resistors Roger, I have thought of doing the same thing, but never got around to doing anything about it. Fortunately rust is not too much of an issue for me, only 4 km from the coast, but must be far enough to keep salt away, but close enough to limit heavy frosts even though I am in NW Tasmania. Frosts nowhere near as bad here as at Bathurst where I grew up.

  5. #20
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,436

    Default

    Hi Guys,

    I have a tubular frost heater, about four feet long that I use in the workshop in winter time. Its basically a long 230 W 240 volt element inside a 50 mm diameter alloy tube. Originally intended to be put under your car in winter. I got mine from the junk pile. There is no makers name, rating label or anything else on it to identify the maker.

    I do confess that the workshop air temperature has never dropped below 40F at any time since it was put up.
    Even when it has been 20F outside.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  6. #21
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
    Posts
    4,255

    Default

    I use old beach or large bathroom towels

  7. #22
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    gold coast
    Posts
    303

    Default

    I cover my lathe and mini mill and all the other odd pieces of machinery with old bed sheets which have absorbed oil over the years and now have a lovely patina.

  8. #23
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Ipswich QLD
    Age
    68
    Posts
    1,996

    Default

    Cover mill & lathes metal & wood even 6x4 BS I use to use tge material backed tanle cloths from $2 shops but they no long sell them. These wprked best as moisture was kept on the surface no condensation under it. Since moving north have to put up with cheap plastic degradable tarps.

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