How to Clean a Jet-Lathe Bed

Although not commonly used for home repairs or renovations, a Jet lathe is capable of turning metal, plastic and wood to create replacement parts for many different home repairs, such as the balusters that connect your stair's handrail to the risers. Located below the turret and the spindle, you will find a lathe bed. The lathe bed runs the length of the lathe, and hold the chips produced when cutting material. As you continue to complete projects, the lathe bed fills up. When it gets too full, you must clean the bed.

Things You'll Need

• Wire brush
• Dust pan
• Trash bag
• Bucket, 5-gallon
• Wet-dry vacuum
• Rag

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Remove all of the large chips from the bed with a wire brush and a dustpan. Place the chips into a trash bag if the chips are plastic or wood. If the chips are metal, place them in a 5-gallon bucket.

   • 2

     Vacuum the smaller chips out of the lathe bed with a wet-dry vacuum. Most lathes also distribute small amounts of machine oil into the bed. For this reason, only use a wet-dry vacuum.

   • 3

     Wipe the lathe bed down with a dry shop towel to remove the smaller chip residue and to remove any residual oil left in the lathe bed.