Lubrication – new lathe & milling machine

[Andrew Dunn 2Participant @andrewdunn2]

As a newbie, I just acquired a new Warco GH1236 lathe and a Chester Super Deluxe milling machine. Can anyone give me advice on what lubricants I should be using?

In the manual for the lathe, they suggest a "heavy non-slinging grease" for the gears and machine oil for the headstock and other parts.

I would be interested in suggestions of the best lubricants to use and also for cutting oil.

Thanks, Andrew

[Andrew Dunn 2Participant @andrewdunn2]

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

Well, good choice with the Mill, I have just agreed to purchase that exact same model, the big attraction for me was the size of the table.

Anyhow, I use Vactra 2 on the slideways, 30 weight motor oil on the gears and as for cutting oil I bought ten litres of rotabroach cutting oil at an unbelievable price so I use that. If you want to use grease Moly grease is good but it IS dirty and I prefer to use Lithium grease. There was an online Bike shop selling this at a terrific price but I cannot remember where this was.

graham.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Oompa Lumpa on 11/03/2015 16:41:38:

… I prefer to use Lithium grease. There was an online Bike shop selling this at a terrific price but I cannot remember where this was.

.

ChainReaction

MichaelG.

[Bob Brown 1Participant @bobbrown1]

I use a bike chain spray on the gears as it is easy to apply.

Bob

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Motor bike chain spray for the gears, WD40 for aluminium, either dry or suds or neat cutting oil for MS, dry for brass,

motor gearbox oil in the lathe g/box, …should cover most of your needs

George

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 11/03/2015 16:48:35:

Posted by Oompa Lumpa on 11/03/2015 16:41:38:

… I prefer to use Lithium grease. There was an online Bike shop selling this at a terrific price but I cannot remember where this was.

.

ChainReaction

MichaelG.

Thank you for that Michael, it was your good self who pointed this out to me in the first instance.

Bought a couple of tubs and time to buy a couple more.

graham.

[ChrisHParticipant @chrish]

Just a thought – as an alternative to motor bike chain spray, is chainsaw oil any good for gears? Might try it on my gears anyway.

Only, I have a chain saw and it's oil, but don't have a motor bike so no spray!

Chris

[Bob Brown 1Participant @bobbrown1]

Chain oil is available from Toolstation £4.54 a can

[JAParticipant @ja]

I use chain saw oil on the rear chains of my bikes (350cc to 700cc). It works very well. Like bike chain oil it is designed to penetrate into the chain and throw off the dirt.

JA

[Andrew Dunn 2Participant @andrewdunn2]

Thanks for all your comments. Vactra 2 seems to be a good way to go for the slideway. Mostly it seems to be sold in 20l cans, but I found it available in smaller quantities at RHR Tools, so I ordered it there.

For the headstock and gearbox, Warco sell their own lubricant at a reasonable price. I was thinking of ordering this. What do you think? Link: http://www.warco.co.uk/14-lubricants-neatcut-cutting-oil

I like the idea of a spray for the gears, as suggested by Bob and George, as its easy to apply. Any suggestions of a particular product and where I can get it?

Thanks,

Andrew

[ChrisHParticipant @chrish]

Andrew, I use Warco's Headstock Lub in my (not Warco) old Weiler lathe for the past 4-5 years. It seems quite OK, have had no problems.

Chris

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Andrew

I bought…

Muc-off, hi performance dry PTFE bike chain lube.. Halfords.. (usual disclaimer..  )

**LINK**

George

Edited By mechman48 on 12/03/2015 12:49:41

[andrew winksParticipant @andrewwinks64215]

I use hydraulic oil or power steering fluid for lubricating slides, acme threads and the like. Read somewhere that engine oils should not be used due to the detergent or cleaning additives. Old wives tale or truth, perhaps some lubrication engineers can comment.

cheers

Andrew

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