Dead center lube?

[websterz]

I have a piece of 1/2" diameter carbide drill shank that I plan to grind a 60* point on to use as a small dead center. What is the preferred lube (since white lead is a no-no now) for keeping things cool and turning freely when using a dead center? I get the feeling oil won't cut it. (No pun intended)

 

[bogstandard]

I should think the modern day safe equivalent would be something like a graphite based one or copperslip . But it gets everywhere, you only have to look at it and you are covered in the stuff.

When turning between centres I use a general purpose grease, and have got away with it up until now. Modern formulations have come a long way over the years, and as long as it doesn't melt out due to friction heat, I think it would be fairly safe to use.

John

[kvom]

A poster on another forum uses "high pressure grease".  He also states that as the workpiece turns in will heat up and the center will loosen, so that it's necessary to tighten up the tailstock at that point.  Personally I've never used a dead center in the tailstock, as nothing I've made requires the extra precision.

[rleete]

When cutting a thin section a la Bog's tutorial, I used white lithium grease.  It seemed to work okay, but I never had the speeds very high.

[usn ret]

Glen,  When I need a super slick lube I use a good hi-pressure grease with an added dash of powdered molybinumdisulfide {sp} that  I acquired as surplus many years past. A small application goes a long way.  Moly B is microscopic sized ball bearings whereas graphite has sharp edges. Therefore Moly-B over graphite.  I also add it to engine assembly lube and have never had a problem.

Cliff

[websterz]

Glen,  When I need a super slick lube I use a good hi-pressure grease with an added dash of powdered molybinumdisulfide {sp} that  I acquired as surplus many years past. A small application goes a long way.  Moly B is microscopic sized ball bearings whereas graphite has sharp edges. Therefore Moly-B over graphite.  I also add it to engine assembly lube and have never had a problem.

Cliff

hmmm...I have a few tubes of MolyKote around here somewhere...