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  1. #1
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    Default Do you cover your machine?

    Living on the Central Coast, any steel not covered rusts eventually. I got to thinking that it would be prudent to sew a cover for my lathe to keep moisture at bay. I cut wood in the same shed so it would keep the sawdust off as well. Then I was wondering whether the cover would retain moisture and exacerbate the rust issue. I've used curtain backing, thick, but somewhat breathable.

    The only drawback is trhat I don't get to gaze longingly at the lathe when I'm in the shed.
    Good or bad idea?
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  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Perth Western Australia
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    Default Machine covers

    yep I've always made canvas covers specially for the lathe.
    Oil plus dust equals grinding paste.

    Mark
    I've become a tool of my tools.

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    jilliby nsw
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    Default

    would depend on how often you use the machine. I spray wd40 or similar on the ways & saddle for frequent usage and this has kept my machine in good order for the passed 30+ years. I should add that I use flood coolant regularly. For long periods of inactivity I oil all the shiny bits and cover machine. Wood dust is a P.I.T.A. around metal working machinery, best to keep it covered when not in use. cheers

  4. #4
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    Mar 2011
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    Default

    IKEA barbecue covers...
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  5. #5
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    Sep 2010
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    Port Sorell, Tasmania
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    Default

    I use an old sheet. Am mainly wanting to keep dust of the machines. Have notices on woodworking machines that horizontal surfaces rust much faster than vertical surfaces. I believe that dust on a metal surface has a role in the formation of rust.

  6. #6
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    Default

    Great, it looks like I'm on the right track. I was just thinking that perhaps the cover would retain moisture, but it looks like keeping sawdust etc off is a better approach.
    I'm nopt sure how much use it will get, as I am only just starting in machining as a hobby. Spraying with wd40 sounds like a good idea.
    Thanks all.

  7. #7
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    Sep 2006
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    Mallacoota,VIC,Australia
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    Default

    I keep my Lathe and Tool & Cutter Grinder covered with old sheets and I like to give them a spray with Inox. I have heard of people using Dehumidifiers and apparently they work quite well. I don't think a cover over a machine would retain moisture if the cover was breathable.
    All The Best steran50 Stewart

    The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

  8. #8
    jatt's Avatar
    jatt is offline Always within 10 paces from nearest stubby holder
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    Here in the shed use tenting canvas. However despite fact it is designed to have a degree of breath ability in it, still
    experienced condensation underneath some mornings. Not gunna say its the best possible stuff to use, But as I have plenty of scrap lying around....

    My fix was to sew in a piece (window) of a close weave mesh on one side. About 300mm squared. Made a huge difference on the condensation

    Didn't even attempt to use a PVC fabric - Figured it would behave like a plastic bag.
    Frisky wife, happy life. ​Then I woke up. Oh well it was fun while it lasted.
    From an early age my father taught me to wear welding gloves . "Its not to protect your hands son, its to put out the fire when u set yourself alight".

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Perth, Western Australia
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    Default

    Old sheets is all I use. They have worked well for years.


    Tony

  10. #10
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by tony_A View Post
    I use an old sheet. Am mainly wanting to keep dust of the machines. Have notices on woodworking machines that horizontal surfaces rust much faster than vertical surfaces. I believe that dust on a metal surface has a role in the formation of rust.
    Dust (especially wood dust) is well know for attracting moisture from the air, that's how raindrops form and without this dust there would be no rain. The damp wood dust then swells and becomes more porous which means it can suck up more water. The water can also slightly dissolves some of the chemicals in the dust which attacks the metal. other good reason to use a decent dust extractor.

    I made some effort to fully seal and insulate my shed and I reckon that really helps so I can leave my machines uncovered without rusting.

    When using an angle grinder or welder I sometimes cover my mill and lathe with an old canvas sheet to reduce the amount of crap that settles out of the air. I also have a welding/grinding bay with a fume/dust extractor. Doesn't eliminate it but helps keep it down a bit.

    The machine that sees the least rust is my WW bandsaw and that's probably because I cut up beef bones for the Dogs with it. Gets a bit greasy after a while but I just wipe it down wth a bit of turps.

  11. #11
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    Default

    Thanks BobL, you really are organised!

  12. #12
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by Vicval01 View Post
    Thanks BobL, you really are organised!
    Not really - I'm just the type that spends way too much time and really enjoys building the cubby rather than playing in it.

  13. #13
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    Melbourne
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    You cut up meat and bones with your band saw..... remind me never to upset you!


    Edit: BTW I never cover my machines but I should. You have shamed me into putting some thought into it now!
    Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk
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  14. #14
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    Default

    At our Community Shed we use doona covers from Vinnies to cover machines. They cost very little, $5 for about 4 of them for which I give them $10 and tell them to keep the change. After all they are all volunteers and working to help others in need so it all goes to a most worthy cause. One final thing, I explain what I want them for and they give me the ones put aside for pet bedding. The difference is they have some minor imperfection, like missing fasteners, a tiny tear or stain which is immaterial for their use as a machine cover, but makes them undesirable to use as bedding.
    They work well to keep wood dust off the metalwork machinery, and we have no rust issues, but also assisting in that regard is our shed, - insulated and with double glazed windows in the workshop section which makes for a year round comfortable environment with very little if any condensation.

  15. #15
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by simonl View Post
    You cut up meat and bones with your band saw..... remind me never to upset you!
    If we give the dogs half a beef bone they scoff the marrow and then sometime later vomit it back up, usually on the carpet in a quiet spot behind the sofa . . . . . .
    If I slice the bone open down the middle and scoop out most of the marrow there's not enough left behind to make them sick.

    Also instead of expensive treats we give them small pieces of bone - just big enough so they won't swallow it whole - I cut these up from bigger pieces.
    We used to give them frozen chicken necks but the younger idiot dog has taken to swallowing them whole.

    Same dog has been known to lick the bone dust and fatty spatters on the floor that come from cutting up the bones - she'd lick the blade if she could . Other dog licks the residual canola oil lube direct off the chainsaw chain.

    The joy of owning dogs.
    Once a year we make them suffer some Xmas indignity.
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