New To Me Enco Mill - Cleaning

Cody Killgore

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Hey guys,
I'm brand new to machining and just got this milling machine and an old sheldon lathe. I finally got them moved into my shop yesterday and am getting started on cleaning them up. It looks like the last time this mill was used (over 10 years ago), someone used a white coolant or something on it?? It seems to be stuck on there really good. Anyone have an idea on how might be the best way to clean that junk off? I took the vise off of it, and you can see the clean part of the table that didn't get the white junk on it.

Mill1.jpg
Mill2.jpg
 
Are you sure that isn't primer that was sprayed on to help guard against rust? Have you tried lacquer thinner?

Mark
 
Agreed, looks like someone intentionally sprayed paint or whatever on it. Acetone should work too.
 
That is a good point. I did see a can of some type of rust inhibitor stuff sitting next to the mill. I should have asked him.
 
Might be white lithium grease too, that's kinda what it looks like after it's sprayed on and allowed to dry.

Dana
 
First that mill looks like a beast congrats! Now, I'd have a go at that with some non-flammable brake cleaner if its any kind of grease or petroleum that should peel it right off. If its paint honestly I'd use a good quality heat gun and a putty knife. A heat gun will break the hold of even the most stubborn paint and adhesive. After you get that cleaned off get yourself a gallon of Evaporust (they sell it at Harbor Freight) the stuff is amazing and totally non-toxic. I used it to remove the rust from a 1950's machine. you may have to wrap the table in wet towels then wrap with plastic wrap to keep it from evaporating on areas that you can't submerge in a tank of the stuff.
 
I think you guys were right about it being some type of rust preventive stuff. A little scrubbing with some acetone is making pretty quick work of it. Thanks for that. It's a lot quicker than what I was doing...lol.
 
That machine should give you good service. My vertical mill is a Taiwanese Enco (with a larger table but smaller head) and it's been working flawlessly for 13 years. The old Sheldon should also give good service if it's not totally trashed !
 
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