Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Always wonder how everyone else's metal lathe (and mills) always look so pristine. I use the ubiquitous paint brush, but my lathe never looks spotless.

Do people use compressed air even though its a suppose 'no no' on machinery?

I have never used compressed air, Tubal Cain (Mr. Pete) has taught me that valuable lesson which was also driven home when I bought & restored that Kurt 6" vise, that shop used compressed air & I struggled for 30 minutes trying to get the Nut out from under the movable jaw, it was so packed with shavings (that had no earthly business being up under there) that it was almost one unit. I use a shop vac also, but find I need one with a small nozzle to get into tight places.