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A bench vise’s Acme screw and slideways take metal-to-metal friction every time you crank the handle, and the wrong lubricant either washes out, dries up, or gums up with shop grit. These seven are real, currently sold greases and anti-seize compounds machinists actually use on vise screws and slides, from basic white lithium to full-synthetic and moly-fortified options.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Super Lube 21030 Synthetic Multi-Purpose Grease | $10-$15 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Permatex 80345 White Lithium Grease | $5-$8 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | CRC 5037 White Lithium Grease Spray | $7-$10 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Lucas Oil White Lithium Grease | $6-$9 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Mobil 1 Synthetic Grease | $8-$12 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Anti-Seize Technology 24114 Moly-Grease Plus | $12-$18 | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | Moly-Lit 12002 Molybdenum Disulfide Anti-Seize Compound | $9-$13 | Amazon |
The picks, in detail
Super Lube 21030 Synthetic Multi-Purpose Grease
A full-synthetic, PTFE-fortified grease that stays put on a vise’s Acme screw and slideways without gumming up with metal shavings.
- Syncolon (PTFE) fortified synthetic base
- NLGI Grade 2 consistency
- -45°F to 450°F usable range
- Won’t dry out or attract as much swarf as petroleum grease
- Waterproof and won’t wash out
- Pricier per ounce than basic lithium grease
Permatex 80345 White Lithium Grease
The classic all-purpose white lithium grease machinists reach for on vise screws, slides, and jaws — thick enough to cling to a vertical screw.
- White lithium base
- Metal-to-metal and metal-to-plastic rated
- 1.5 oz tube
- Cheap and widely stocked
- Visible white color makes reapplication easy to track
- Small tube size means frequent reorders for shop use
CRC 5037 White Lithium Grease Spray
An aerosol version for quickly coating a vise’s screw threads and guide rails without disassembly.
- Aerosol spray application
- High-viscosity lithium grease
- Water and heat resistant
- Fast to apply into tight screw threads
- Good for routine maintenance sprays
- Spray pattern wastes some product compared to a tube
Lucas Oil White Lithium Grease
A higher-capacity tube for shops that lubricate more than one vise or tool at a time.
- White lithium NLGI 2 grease
- Larger 10.75 oz tube
- Corrosion and rust protection
- More grease per dollar than small tubes
- Same reliable lithium base
- Overkill for a single occasional-use vise
Mobil 1 Synthetic Grease
A full-synthetic automotive-grade grease that handles wide temperature swings, useful for a vise kept in an unheated garage or shop.
- Full synthetic base
- Wide operating temperature range
- Water washout resistance
- Performs in cold shops where petroleum grease stiffens
- Long service life between reapplications
- More expensive than basic white lithium grease
Anti-Seize Technology 24114 Moly-Grease Plus
A moly-fortified extreme-pressure grease built for the sliding, high-load contact of a vise’s screw and guide rail.
- Molybdenum disulfide + lithium complex base
- 14 oz cartridge
- Extreme-pressure rating
- Handles heavy clamping loads without breaking down
- Cartridge fits standard grease guns
- Darker color makes over-application messier to spot
Moly-Lit 12002 Molybdenum Disulfide Anti-Seize Compound
A paste-style moly/graphite compound for machinists who want maximum galling protection on a well-worn cast-iron vise screw.
- High-concentration molybdenum disulfide and graphite
- Paste consistency
- Extreme-pressure additive package
- Strong anti-galling protection on old, worn threads
- Small tube lasts a long time on a single vise
- Thicker paste is messier to apply than a standard grease
Buying tips
- Clean old, hardened grease and metal filings off the screw and slideways with a wire brush before regreasing — new grease over old swarf just grinds like lapping compound.
- A light film goes further than a heavy glob — on the Acme screw a heavy coating collects grit and shavings from the workshop floor.
- Re-grease every six months of regular use, or immediately if the handle starts feeling gritty or stiff to turn.
- For a vise kept outdoors or in a damp shop, favor a waterproof synthetic or moly grease over plain petroleum lithium grease to resist wash-out and rust.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.