Subject: Re: Lubrication for lathe

From: [email-masked] (Jonathan M. Elson)
Date: 19 May 1996 05:07:46 GMT

M. Elorza ([email-masked]) wrote:
: I recently bought a lathe and in the owners manual it recommended Mobil 
: DTE Light oil for the headstock and feedbox and Mobil Vactra #2 for all 
: other applications.  I can't seem to find either of these oils.  Does 
: anyone have any suggestions?

Most smaller lathes use an SAE #10 oil for the headstock.  This is fine for
roller bearings, and fine for the higher speeds with journal bearings.  If
it has badly worn journal bearings, you may need to go to a higher viscosity
oil, such as SAE #30.  The Vactra #2 (if I remeber right) is an ISO #68
grade way oil, which has a tackiness property to help it stick to flat 
surfaces on the lather (or other machine).

---

From: [email-masked] (CBear81438)
Date: 19 May 1996 09:25:40 -0400

When I bought an old machinists tools, Etc.   He had a barrel of Sliderite
66.   That was supposed to be way oil.   I use it for all areas on the
lathe mill and shaper.

Cecil