Jogensen clamp problem

**sunburst** · Mar-23-2007, 12:08pm

I bought a quantity of Jorgensen hand screw clamps from a wood worker who was retiring last year. They were new, meaning no use to speak of, with the bar code stickers still on them. I don't think I've ever had new ones before, and I've never had this problem before.
There seems to be some sort of oil "finish" on them that doesn't dry, and transfers to the wood that I clamp with them, leaving oily looking prints in my wood. That's not acceptable, as far as I'm concerned, when it comes to pieces that will not be further milled to get rid of the oily smudges. My clamping cauls are taking on an oily look from the clamps.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Does Jorgensen put some kind of oil on their wooden clamps?
If not, perhaps the guy I bought them from have put something on them(?)
Any suggestions of what to do about it?
Thanks in advance.

**mandolinplucker** · Mar-23-2007, 12:42pm

I use acetone to clean up oily stuff. I heated some harley clutch plates on the grill to open the pores and submerged them in acetone to soak. oil floated to the top and the plates came out clean and oil free. Can't hurt to try. PS I did that outside and away from anything that would burn.

**Dale Ludewig** · Mar-23-2007, 12:46pm

Does the stuff smell? I wonder if it could be raw linseed oil. The acetone approach would probably work, but you can also buy some stuff at auto supply stores that removes oil, grease, silicone, etc. for use before painting a car. I use it when refinishing. FirstKlean is one name, FinalKlean is another. Not positive about the spellings.

**sunburst** · Mar-23-2007, 12:52pm

Originally Posted by (Dale Ludewig @ Mar. 23 2007, 13:46)

Does the stuff smell?

Good question, Dale. I'll have to ask someone who still has a sense of smell. It does, in fact, look like raw linseed oil or some such. Perhaps a good wipe with Japan drier...

**Rick Lindstrom** · Mar-23-2007, 1:35pm

Bury them in a box of sawdust for a few days.

Rick

**sunburst** · Mar-23-2007, 2:07pm

OK, where can I find sawdust...(

)

**Gail Hester** · Mar-23-2007, 2:26pm

No problem John, I'll send you some.

**Chris Baird** · Mar-23-2007, 3:21pm

Soak em' in naptha or mineral spirits.

**Paul Hostetter** · Mar-23-2007, 3:45pm

It took me years to try them, but I've really gotten into these things:

**Stephanie Reiser** · Mar-24-2007, 5:03am

Originally Posted by (sunburst @ Mar. 23 2007, 13:52)

Perhaps a good wipe with Japan drier...

...or baby wipes.

**Antlurz** · Mar-24-2007, 1:07pm

I'd spray them down with a can of automotive brake cleaner. NOT carburator cleaner!

Ron

**Stanley Cox** · Mar-31-2007, 11:56am

So John, What did you use? Did it work?

Stanley

**sunburst** · Mar-31-2007, 1:04pm

I haven't tried any of the suggestions yet, but I'm going to try several of them, starting with the sawdust, as soon as that package arrives from Gail.

**PaulD** · Apr-02-2007, 9:11am

Originally Posted by (mandolinplucker @ Mar. 23 2007, 11:42)

I use acetone to clean up oily stuff. I heated some harley clutch plates on the grill to open the pores and submerged them in acetone to soak. oil floated to the top and the plates came out clean and oil free. Can't hurt to try. PS I did that outside and away from anything that would burn.

Back in my broke days I used to recondition VW brakes and clutch disks by soaking them with alcohol and lighting them on fire. It effectively removed the oil & brake fluid, and was just plain fun!

It might not have the desired effect on your Jorgensons though.

pd

**Bill Snyder** · Apr-02-2007, 9:28am

Originally Posted by (PaulD @ April 02 2007, 09:11)

Back in my broke days I used to recondition VW brakes and clutch disks by soaking them with alcohol and lighting them on fire. It effectively removed the oil & brake fluid, and was just plain fun!

It might not have the desired effect on your Jorgensons though.

pd

Talk about a distressed finish.