Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] cleaning a ball screw

> > Hi all,
> >
> > I picked up a rusted ball screw today. complete with nut. The shop
> > had a roof leak and the batch had been rained on, in the box and the
> > screws show lots of rust.

When I got my lathe it had a bit of rust in places. If you use some of the
better rust removers you can get really nice results. The active chemical is
Phosphoric acid, which is also the same stuff you get in Coke. You just
paint the gunk on with a brush (It's greeny coloured with some). Then you
wait for about 10 - 20 minutes and rub at it with the paint brush, at least
I find it works better that way because it helps work it in. You can use a
scouring pad or wire wool as well.

So long as you take the remover off with warm soapy warm water after 20
minutes or so you're fine, it only converts the rust. But if you leave it on
for hours by mistake it leaves a bit of a nasty black stain on the metal
that takes a while to clean off. The surface left if used normally is
smooth, not eroded away or anything like that. The minute you're done
cleaning it for the day wash it off again, dry it, then cover it in oil. I
found my brother's two stroke engine oil from his motor bike works quite
well. It usually takes a few coats to remove really thick rust but if it's
just a fine dusty layer (Not flakes), it'll come off nicely. The cleaner
does leaves a streaky water on mirror effect from where's it's wiped off
unevenly.

I'd buy, or use your own, electric tooth brush on the screw if you do this.
The brushes will really agitate the muck and clean it nicely. When the
cleaner starts going brown and muddy, wash it off and put some more on. Put
it on, agitate it, leave for a few minutes, agitate, etc. Sometimes it works
best if you put it on, rub it, then leave it for a good while, then rub is
off.

Anyway, I cleaned my lathe's ways with it and they're as smooth as they were
to start with.

Good luck,
John H.