Lathe oil level

[Dave Harding 1Participant @daveharding1]

[Dave Harding 1Participant @daveharding1]

I discovered the metal tray under my lathe full of oil. I have recently topped it up with oil. Is there a maximum fill level is it possible I have over filled it. How much oil do they actually hold.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

What Lathe is it???

Edited By JasonB on 03/08/2014 17:31:05

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

SP2109 by the look of his photo album

Edited By KWIL on 03/08/2014 17:26:20

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Usually there is an oil sight glass at the left hand end, where the leadscrew enters the gearbox, This should show level of half way up the glass. if you have oil in your tray then probably as you say you have put too much oil in & it has over pressured & found its way out of the nearest joint /seal, or you could have a leaking sight glass or joint. Trace the trail of oil backwards to locate where it has come from. My WM 250 has a slight leak from the saddle but it's not so much to warrant a strip down (I know where it's coming from) I just keep an eye on the sight glass & top it up as needed.

George.

[Dave Harding 1Participant @daveharding1]

Their is a sight glass but its not easy to see. I did not know it had one until I just checked. I will check it to morrow hope fully I have just over filled it.

[SteveWParticipant @stevew54046]

Not good timing for you perhaps but I measured the oil I drained out to give me an idea of how much to put in. I then looked at the sight glass (not too easy…) and added the 10% or so that it needed to allow for losses (on floor, clothing, hands etc)

SteveW

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

When I got my Taiwanese 1326 BH lathe I looked at the sight glasses, I could not see the oil level, so I started filling it, the oil came out the top, it had been over filled when I got the machine, I had to empty out quite a bit from both head stock bearings. Now the oil seals leak a little (25 yrs on).

Ian S C

[Dave Harding 1Participant @daveharding1]

I'm still not sure I don't want to use it and seize it up. I will leave it until the weekend when I have more time to check it.

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

If you have doubts just find the drain plug,remove, drain off any remaining oil (along with any crud that comes out with it) then refill to level on sight glass… normally 1/2 way, refit plug (obviously ) … bob's your auntie! unless you want to run some flushing oil through it first, then refill.

George

[Dave Harding 1Participant @daveharding1]

Were do I find the drain plug I have looked all over for one.

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