How do I maintain my clamps?
Q:
I've seen tips for removing dried glue from my bar and pipe clamps, but is there any other regular maintenance I should be doing to them?
— Rajko Malik, Portage, Ind.
A:
Simple preventive maintenance is all you need, Rajko. First, remove any dried glue by softening it with a hot rag or heat gun and then scraping it off. Next, use a mill file to remove any burrs on the bar or pipe. Finally, apply to the bar or pipe a light coat of wax or petroleum-free dry lubricant, such as PG2000 (which goes on wet, but penetrates and dries). This will make future glue drips easier to remove. Also, spray the lubricant onto the head-jaw screw threads and tail-jaw clutch mechanism to keep them working smoothly.
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