Official Luthiers Forum!

I sometimes buy something and it turns out, surprise surprise, its made in china and they DO NOT clean off the machining oil residue, as you may know.

I am thinking of getting a friggin jar for mineral spirits and using it as a soaking jar or something, I am so sick of this.

But, does anyone use anything else to deal with the tool-oil residue? I don't want it on my hands then I go and eat or something, pee's me off to no end Grabing my new drill bits and ...china man got me again!!!

_________________
Here is what a Parlor Guitar is for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEa8PkjO6_I

Id rather have the residues on there until I recieve the tool, than not, actually..
rust prevention - The first thing I do after removing the heavy grease is put on some lighter fluid film (sheep wool wax).... to protect the tool from rust...
Cheers
Charlie

They did not forget. It is intentional and it is not machining oil it is corrosion protection applied after QC prior to shipping. Remember anything that is shipped via ocean freight has a bout a week at sea. Plus even domestic tools with precision ground surfaces like cast iron tables and or precision operating mechanical devices like sides and worm screws have a similar coating on them. This is not the unusual this is the norm and a very good thing

Ahhhh, but my japanes stuff is nice and clean, and they be surrounded by Ocean....????

_________________
Here is what a Parlor Guitar is for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEa8PkjO6_I

As in saws and chisels? They were likely imported cleaned up and then distributed. I have many Japanese saws that came directly from the Island and they were packed in light weight oil. I have some that are made in Japan imported to the US cleaned up and waxed with a light coat wax and then distributed. They appear to be dry but there is a fine wax coating on them. Any high carbon low nickel still will need protection crossing the ocean. Almost all cast iron, pig iron (carbon steel) and even Stainless steel will be coated with some sort of protection at least during shipment. In fact if Stainless is in contact with carbon steel or cast iron in the presents of salt air it will corrode in a heart beat.

Naptha removes oils !
But not grease.
Wear gloves-it's coal-tar byproduct!!

Mike

_________________
Mike Collins

As pointed out already, the oil is intentional, and it is good. I generally just wipe it down with paper towels, or on things with hard to reach spots like saws, a bit of mineral spirits seems to work fine for me.

_________________
Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

I usually wipe off the bulk with paper towel and then use WD40 and paper towel for the rest. When you are done, go outside and burn all of the oil and WD40 soaked rags or papertowel. DON'T LEAVE TEHM IN THE SHOP, they can spontaneously combust!

Shane

_________________
Canada