What to put in the oil can?

[brewdexta]

I bought a job lot of old pump oil cans from a farm sale a few years ago and they are all but empty now.

I use them mainly for oiling lathe/mill screws, rapidor mechanical hacksaw (which drinks oil) and general workshop use.

Engine oils have detergents etc. but are cheap. 3 in 1 type general purpose are over priced and in tiny quantities, but are probably the best over viscosity, around SAE/ISO 10.

Andy ideas of what oil to use for general purpose?

(I keep one with engine oil in for engine assembly work and have one with neat cutting oil in for milling/drilling use)

Cheers
Andy

 

[rtbcomp]

IIRC 3-in-1 is the same as Shell Tellus, which is quite common and can be bought in larger quantities.

I've got loads of 20/50 engine oil left over from my Landrover days, I use this for non critical stuff such as my vice, pullers, screw clamps &c. Also on the car for hinges and so on.

 

[Windy Miller]

Citroen LHM is a nice general purpose workshop oil. Pretty green colour too!

 

[wyn]

Citroen LHM is a nice general purpose workshop oil. Pretty green colour too!

Isn't that brake fluid?

 

[brewdexta]

The shell tellus has changed into several different grades, I think the original was like 3 in1. Only seem to be able to buy it in big drums, 5 litres would be ideal. Same for Shell Vitrea 15.

LHM is interesting, used by many a cyclist to replace expensive oil in Shimano hydraulic brakes. ISO about 18 too. Can buy in 1 litre and 5 litres so hits my sweet spot. You may be on a winner. If I lived a bit closer to Hallet oils in Merseyside I would get them to mix me some "3 in 1" like oil however I think LHM has the lead at the minute

Any more?

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

Thb 32

 

[MrFluffy]

I use vactra #2 as its whats spec'd for my machines. It hasn't got the tacifiers anymore as it was causing stickyness for modern box way machines, but Mobil Vacuoline 1409 is exactly what vactra used to be with the peritack back in, so next time I run out...

 

[MrFluffy]

A cheap and nasty version of it is chainsaw bar oil, which does have the tackifiers to make it stay on the bar, but also is made from the cheapest bargain basement recycled oil. In fact its whats called remainder oil, in that its whats leftover in the tanks when they switch from making one product to another with a splash of the new stuff. Its about sae30 in grade, but the tackifiers make it feel heavier.

 

[dannyp]

ATF is a good general workshop oil as well

 

[MattF]

Engine oils have detergents etc. but are cheap. 3 in 1 type general purpose are over priced and in tiny quantities, but are probably the best over viscosity, around SAE/ISO 10.

SAE 10 or ISO 10? I'm assuming the former. That would be a bit on the thin side for general use, would it not? I'd have thought a SAE 20 would be a better option.

 

[lexi]

Isn't that brake fluid

LHM is a proper mineral oil........not like standard brake fluid.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Another vote for chainsaw chain oil, tends not to drip off, I use it when drilling as well, clings to the drill bit.

 

[madkayaker]

Hydraulic oil for me.

 

[brewdexta]

SAE 10 or ISO 10? I'm assuming the former. That would be a bit on the thin side for general use, would it not? I'd have thought a SAE 20 would be a better option.

Your right about ISO/SAE, I meant SAE 15 which is about ISO 32 but up to SAE 20 ISO 46 will probably OK however SAE usually refers to engine oils and most (not all) have detergents in them. I'm guessing that the classic car oils won't have detergents as the impurities need to settle out not stay in suspension.

Evidently 3 in 1 is about SAE 15, had no detergents but does contain naphtha which is no good for some bearings etc.

So a non detergent mineral oil around SAE 15 or 20 (ISO 32 to 46) without naphtha seems to be one for general workshop use, at least for me, I can see why some want stickier oils for drilling etc.

If I look up the viscosity of LHM plus oil I get SAE18 which sounds about right, its non detergent, non hydroscopic, suppose to have excellent lubrication properties and its a mineral oil. I think I'll get a litre and see how it goes.