Lathe Lubrication

[bigbadbugga]

I have searched the forum and can't seem to find any info about what oil I should be using on my Boxford lathe.

I have read all the info on 'lathes.co.uk' and in the book 'the amateur's lathe' and all they say is to use a light oil.

Would air tool lubricating oil be ok?

Automatic transmission fluid was also mentioned online somewhere.

or do I need to get some special oil?

 

[shenion]

I use Mobil synthetic oils on mine. Problem is they are only available in 5-gallon buckets. There is a seller on ebay that divides them up onto small bottles.

Or search for "spindle oil" and "way oil".

I have used air tool oil. It seemed ok. Problem is, I have never seen any specs on the bottles as to the weight. Have used 40 weight motor oil (motor oil wights are different that machine oil weights.) Problem is motor oils have lots of additives and detergents that may not be good.

Don't know any tooling suppliers on that side of the pond. Most that carry lathe tools, parts and accessories have way and spindle oil.

Way oil is designed to stick to things but also have a low static friction (so things move easily from a stop.)

Main thing is to oil often. My lathe was covered in oil when I got it. A good sign that it was well oiled.

 

[wyn]

I've been using this slideway oil. I use it in an oil can and either put it directly on the slideways or through the button oilers.

Places like Chronos or RDG tools also have similar oil.

 

[AndyP]

I understand way oil is exactly the same as chainsaw oil, though personally I just buy a litre of thinnish gear oil from the car shop and use it for everything.

 

[shenion]

Note: oil viscosity levels are different for different appliactions. I.e 50 weight gear oil is different than 50 weight engine oil.

#10 machine oil is equivalent to 25 weight motor oil and 80 weight gear oil.

Interesting info on oils here.

 

[Pete.]

Way oil and chainsaw oil aren't the same but many people use chainsaw oil. I use ISO32 hydraulic oil and plenty of it. On my last lathe I used motor oil but I didn't like the way the bed was looking after a while. I apply it with a paintbrush.

One thing that's very important is to make sure you don't use a grinder on anything in the chuck. It's very tempting to cut something off with a 5" grinder but the dust from the blades will wear your machine out double-quick.

 

[HasBean]

32 viscosity for bearings etc, 68 for gearboxes, slideways etc.
Here's a very helpfull company that can sort you out

Paul

 

[bigbadbugga]

Thanx guys, I found an oil supplier in St Helens just down the road, I'm going to pay them a visit tomorrow and see if they have what I need.

Looks promising judging by the website

http://www.caldo.co.uk/main_page.htm

 

[Robotstar5]

Or try the technical dept at Morris oils, probably be able to advise you.

 

[graffian]

I bought a 25 litre drum of rocol magnaglide[68wt] and have been saving empty litre cans so if you want to buy a litre it would make me velly happpy.
Magnaglide is the same as the other 68wt slideway oils just several times as expensive;-)
Using slideway oil does make a difference, I face a large ali casting with a 12inch flycutter and the surface was noticibly better with the magnaglide rather than rock oil synthetic engine oil.

 

[Pete.]

How much a litre Graffian?

 

[graffian]

Just had a look on ebay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How does £4 plus post sound, ebay price was 4.45 for 1/4 liter.
post will be whatever a kilogramme costs, I guess it will be around £2.

 

[Pete.]

In that case I'll have a liter of it. You ok with Paypal for payment?

 

[graffian]

I will bottle and wrap a litre tomorrow and check the postage.

I have to go to Newman cams in Farnborourgh[?] tomorrow your not on the way are you?

 

[bigbadbugga]

graffian, I'll take two litres if that is ok

Could you PM me with the price including postage, and your paypal details?

thanks

 

[Pete.]

I will bottle and wrap a litre tomorrow and check the postage.

I have to go to Newman cams in Farnborourgh[?] tomorrow your not on the way are you?

No mate I'm in Gravesend.

 

[^neo^]

cheapo engine oil is fine.
Got a 30 year old colchester which has passed around a few local companies over the years (guy who comes in to me to use it now he's semi retired worked on it since it was new and knows it's background!) that has always had engine oil used on it.

Oh, and dont make the schoolboy error that i did and oil the chuck

 

[shenion]

What's wrong with oiling the chuck? Do mine every few months.

 

[bigbadbugga]

The guy who sold me my lathe told me today that its ok to use motor oil in all the oil points, the most important thing to avoid is oil which has water content.

He suggested fully synthetic and thinnest you can get, or alternatively air tool/compressor oil.

the guy works for rdg engineering.

I would still like some slideway oil though.

 

[^neo^]

i was told to run the chuck dry or all the swarf sticks to the worm in the chuck