Chris Christiansen
Well-known member
I found an old 1970's Snap On tool chest with friction slides a while back.
(photo is not actually mine, just an internet pic I copied)
Here's the steps I followed:
1-Remove friction slides from cabinet and from drawer.
2-Clean friction slide with Simple Green degreaser
3-Fine wire brush each slide (used wire wheel on bench grinder)
4-Polished each metal contact surface with a deburring wheel
5-Washed the friction slide again with Simple Green to be free of deburring dust
6-Final cleaned with isopropyl alcohol
7-Inspect each slide with a magnifying glass, then test fit each slide, straighten slides as needed,
8-Wiped each slide with Fluid Film, dried overnight
9-Carefully lubricated all contact / sliding surfaces with TriFlow, (a lubricant that dries quickly).
10-I used a Q-tip soaked in TriFlow to apply to polished, contact surfaces.
I think the key issues are: Cleaning off the old grease and rust, removing the burrs and polishing, and use a good DRY lube.
I was very pleased with the results.
Good luck!
links:
TriFlow Lube
Simple Green Degreaser
Deburring wheel for bench grinder
Fluid Film, 8 oz can with applicator
(photo is not actually mine, just an internet pic I copied)
Here's the steps I followed:
1-Remove friction slides from cabinet and from drawer.
2-Clean friction slide with Simple Green degreaser
3-Fine wire brush each slide (used wire wheel on bench grinder)
4-Polished each metal contact surface with a deburring wheel
5-Washed the friction slide again with Simple Green to be free of deburring dust
6-Final cleaned with isopropyl alcohol
7-Inspect each slide with a magnifying glass, then test fit each slide, straighten slides as needed,
8-Wiped each slide with Fluid Film, dried overnight
9-Carefully lubricated all contact / sliding surfaces with TriFlow, (a lubricant that dries quickly).
10-I used a Q-tip soaked in TriFlow to apply to polished, contact surfaces.
I think the key issues are: Cleaning off the old grease and rust, removing the burrs and polishing, and use a good DRY lube.
I was very pleased with the results.
Good luck!
links:
TriFlow Lube
Simple Green Degreaser
Deburring wheel for bench grinder
Fluid Film, 8 oz can with applicator
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