[DonRotolo]

I was about to suggest kerosene, but Dave covered it well. The elbow grease part is important - you can spend a week of 8 hour days and still not really have ot *clean*. You might consider taking some of the parts off the machine for cleaning - it sounds like you know what you're doing.

As you suggest, a clean machine will last a lot longer, and work better, too. The most important parts of the lathe are the ones that slide across each other - the bed ways, screws and nuts, etc. - THOSE need to be clean enough to eat off (if you don't mind some oil...).

Grease is not what a lathe wants - use 10 or 20 weight non-detergent oil. An auto parts store would sell that. Coat everything that isn't painted with a light coat.

If you need to rig up some ventilation, do it. Fans and flexible ducting is a workable solution - a good fan blowing air through 25' of 12" flexi-duct (Home Deopt) bringing fresh air into the room will be enough, and you won't have much of a fire risk from the fan motor (sparks!) and solvent fumes.

WEAR GLOVES while you do this - Nitrile are the best. Although brief contact likely won't kill you, no contact is always preferable. Also, don't forget your safety goggles - grease in the eyes hurts.

Wish I had that problem. My 6" Atlas is already clean...

Don