Hello Andrew,
Great to hear you have shaper, they are a 'love or leave' machine. Extremely useful. You didn't say what size your shaper is. I have an Alba 1-A which is a 10" shaper.
Can I suggest the N.E.M.E.S. website for a lot of information on useing a shaper. The work by Delmar is about all you need. I have it sorted out and chapters labled if you want it as a zip.
Lubrication: The gears use, a good quality grease, a 'Moly' grease applied by hand. Use a proper slideway oil for the ram, reccomendation from many manufactures is for Shell Vitria 33 but I am using Sinolube L-HM 46 which is a hydrualic oil, to this I add 10% Morey's Heavy Duty Oil Stabiliser. Works fine. ,(oil cups should be either side of ram. Look at the top of the link there may be an oil hole there. The slide on the link will need lube as well, again there will be a hole at the top.
If you visit the N.E.M.E.S. site download the manual for the Elliot 10" which will explain a lot.
It seems a lot of people are discovering just how usefull a shaper is and how satisfying they are to use. They are the perfect accompliment to a verticle mill as well.
There are a coulple of books that I have downloaded from the Internet Archive dating from the late 1800's to the early 1900's which I found a greaty read as well as gaining a lot of valuable information.
I'll have a look at your machine later tonight. My interest is piqued.
– Barry.