I have a few parallel bar clamps, mostly Bessey but a few of the old Gros Stabil brand as well. For years I've put paste wax on the bars of my Bessies to make it easier to get any glue squeeze out off of them; that has always worked extremely well. My Gros Stabil clamps see little use, I don't like them that much so they typically just set around. Anyway, I needed to refresh the wax on my Bessies this past week and did so. While I was at it I though I'd do the GS clamps as well. Wonderful, now the sliding head won't grip the bar. Apparently the wax has made them so slick the clamp can't grip it. So this morning I'm trying to remove the paste wax, solvents s=didn't seem to do the job so I resorted to mechanical removal....a wire brush in the drill. So far that has worked. I'm glad I only have a few (and they are the shorter lengths) but what a screw up!

Yeah I feel ya. I have had what at the time seemed like a good idea moments.  Only to find later my divine inspiration was really a hold my beer moment.

A few years ago, I decided to protect a few of my combo square blades from the elements with a nice liberal coat of BLO. I'll not do that again.

 Been there and did that same thing Fred, but was too proud to warn others. Sorry

2 hours ago, DuckSoup said:

 Been there and did that same thing Fred, but was too proud to warn others. Sorry

Sooooo, this is really YOUR fault???

alcohol dissolves wax

1 hour ago, Gerald said:

alcohol dissolves wax

Gerald we are friends and all but if I catch you raiding my liquor cabinet of Ukrainian Vodka, to use for anything other than consumption. 

 

We are going to have a problem.  

 I don't remember a couple of nights drinking Schlivowitz.

Here's a couple alternatives for removing wax, BLO and finger print ridges. Plus, if ya cut it WAY BACK with your favorite mixer, it's PARTY TIME!

 

Edited February 1, 20206 yr by Gene Howe

37 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Here's a couple alternatives for removing wax, BLO and finger print ridges. Plus, if ya cut it WAY BACK with your favorite mixer, it's PARTY TIME!

 

Sure you can use that stuff. Inferior to the real deal.😁😁😁

Things that lead to disaster:
- Seemed like a good idea at the time.

- All you have to do is...

- This should work.

- What could possibly go wrong?

- They'll never know.

- Hey, y'all, hold my beer and watch this (redneck's famous last words)

Edited February 1, 20206 yr by kmealy

2 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Sure you can use that stuff. Inferior to the real deal.😁😁😁

Kinda depends on your ultimate goal and, how quick you want to get there.

Mineral spirits (aka paint thinner) will remove most paste wax.  It will leave an oily film.  

Fred if you start an example of us having to detail our oopsies, they’re gonna have to name this part of the forum after me.

13 minutes ago, Artie said:

they’re gonna have to name this part of the forum after me.

We can start a thread like that, just saying...…  

 

But I think you will have a lot of competition.  We might have to have rating system set up.  from a minor Oops, to OMG

Is it still an oopsie when you do it on purpose and the law of unintended consequences kicks in?   Darn you Murphy! 

Edited February 2, 20206 yr by Gene Howe

21 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Is it still an oopsie when you do it on purpose and the law of unintended consequences kicks in?   Darn you Murphy! 

 

You might call it an oopsie, I might be a bit more colorful in my description

35 minutes ago, Cal said:

 

You might call it an oopsie, I might be a bit more colorful in my description

Uhh... My shop language can be technicolored +.