Spindle and way oil

[ajsbsa]

Hello
What do you recommend for spindle and way oil that is easily available in the UK I have a 1944 South Bend 9 inch and a Cowells ME , I have been using Shell Tellus 37 for no other reason than I had 5 litres of it and it seemed thin enough for spindles.
Went down to my local model engineers shop and they said use SAE 30 motor oil which I think is too thick for spindles but happy to change my mind if that's what everybody else uses.
Steve

[russell]

The manual for my lathe specifies SAE 20 oil so I've always used 20/50 motor oil, the 20 figure being the low temperature viscosity. No problems so far after 30 years or so of use.
Russell.

[hew]

Tellus 37 is a hydraulic oil, different to motor oil, lot different. Hydraulic oil isn't hard to get and isn't that much dearer than engine oil.Tellus is still available in Aust don't know about UK, telephone the help line of Shell oil and they will point you to someone who stocks it. Woops just noticed you need a way oil too. Shell Tonna or Mobil Vaculine not sure if tonna still available but Mobil product definitely is. If lathe is not in daily production just use the hydraulic oil because way oil is 4x dearer and only sold in 20 litre drums.

[chameleonrob]

I buy my oil for chronos www.chronos.ltd.uk/cgi-local/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2echronos%2eltd%2euk%2facatalog%2f&WD=oil&PN=Chronos_Catalogue_Oils__Lubricants___Adhesives_etc_124%2ehtml%23aGP1#aGP1

[hew]

The type of oil that's used in small machines is a bit contentious.
Some say use motor oil for everything, others say use spindle oil in the spindle way oil in the ways, and others use spindle(hydraulic) for everything.

Motor oil is designed for use in engines, it has to perform its services when cold (<30c)then when it's hot(>60) and it has to hold crap (metal, water, sludge)in suspension til it gets to the filter.

Hydraulic oil typically works in a much narrower temp range doesn't hold shit in suspension instead relying on it to drop to bottom of gearbox for filtering.

Way oil is specially formulated for its intended use, it minimises stiction. It is also expected that the machines it is used on will have good wipers to remove the crap from the ways before the sliding surfaces move over it.

Hydraulic oil is best to use for your spindle, indeed your lathe's manual will most likely say so.

As for your ways...unless it gets used a lot and you have good quality wipers way oil is just a waste of money. Some would suggest motor oil is best here coz it holds the shit in suspension personally I can't see it so I just use hydraulic oil on some of my machines ways and keep the machines clean.

Anyway that's my take on it, if others have knowledge on the subject please chime in.

[kingsteam9]

If you want the lowdown on oils have a chat to Richard Hallett of Hallett Oils (hallettoil.co.uk/modeloiluk) either email direct at '[e-mail]' or phone/fax on 01902 745800. Richard helped me out recently with oil for my milling machine and is a very knowledgeable chap on the subject, particularly if you can give him details of the original manufacturer's recommended oil. He's located on the west side of Wolverhampton.

[ettingtonliam]

I usually use a straight 30 engine oil (sold in litre bottles in Halfords and DIY stores for lawnmowers) for general machine lubrication, including spindlesand ways. It seems pretty effective. I have tried a special way oil by Rocol, but didn't think the results justified the cost, not for my home use anyway. When I was using a lot of coolant, and was worried about it washing the oil off, I used chain saw chain oil on the bed - its very tenacious. My lathe bed is fairly worn anyway, so maybe a good sticky oil works better on it than on a nice new machine with minimal clearances.

Richard Wilson

[ajsbsa]

Hi thanks for all the input and very usefull it was to, I have decided to stick with the Shell Tellus 37 for the spindle and invested in some Mobil Vactra oil No 2 ISO Viscosity grade 68 for the slide ways. I also have a Downham Mini jigborer and after using the Mobil oil it did seem smoother but could be my imagination anyway I feel the Downham and Cowells are worth the expense.

[steam4ian]

G'day all

I read somewhere that medicinal paraffin oil is the lubricant for lathe beds so that's what I use. It is reasonably expensive but is a clean white oil with no smell, it doesn't hold crud.

Regards
Ian

[weldsol]

There is a guy on ebay that's doing Mobil oil for slide ways at a reasonable amount

Paul