Table Saw Cast Iron Trunion Way Lube

[vanapplebomb]

Hey guys, looking for your $0.02

I stripped down my old Rockwell International table saw the other day to clean it up, change bearings, etc...

When reassembling, what would you use to lube the trunion ways? They are cast iron. Previously lubed with grease, but it gummed up something horrible with fine sawdust from ripping fiberboard. Would wax work?

 

[rlitman]

I used extra dry bicycle chain lube with lots of teflon.
A wax based chain lube (not the sticky sort of wax) that sheds dirt might work well too.

 

[vanapplebomb]

I had not considered bicycle chain dry lube. Is that something you need to apply regularly, or does it hold up pretty good in close tolerance machine ways?

 

[rlitman]

I wouldn't call cast iron tablesaw trunnions close tolerance.

My saw has been tilting smoothly for a few years since I've lubed it. It hasn't failed on me yet.

 

[rsanter]

Dry Teflon is good, so is old school graphite.
Wax is also a good option