Lathe Gearbox Oil Change.

[ron]

Hi
I was going round the lube points of my lathe with an oilcan this morning and was wondering how often people change the gearbox oil [if at all]. It's a small Warco, I've had it more than a couple of years now, use it frequently, and so far haven't changed the oil.
I've got Castrol straight EP 80 gear oil, would that be suitable? I've also got Duckams 20/50, I don't suppose the gearbox in a small lathe is all the heavily loaded??
Ron

PS I've mislayed the original handbook.

[Tim Bayliss]

Hi Ron,
To answer this question from an engineering standpoint, my advice for this sort of information is always ask the manufacturer or supplier first. Warco are usually very helpful and I'm sure they can advise you.
Regards,
Tim

[SteveW]

Ron,

I'd follow the advice above.

I find oils like EP80 smell horrible while the multi-grades are really only suited to being used at the temperatures found in car engines.

I'm told multi grades won't really lubricate properly at room temperatures which is why they make machine oils.

[houstonceng]

Warco sell the correct oil for Lathe Headstock Gear-boxes and Aprons. They won't "post" it, but you can pick it up from Guildford or at an exhibition.

It is a light M/C oil and definitely NOT EP Gear-oil or "Castrum GT" Multi-grade.