Proper way lubricants
Proper way lubricants
I inherited two South Bend bench lathes, plus a 5 gallon bucket of Kelsol and a 5 gal bucket of Conoco Hydroclear TCS Slideway lube 68. Both of the buckets have been opened, are nearly full, and are about 10 years old. They don't smell rancid, so should I use either or neither to lube the ways of the lathes, or are there better lubricants?
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Re: Proper way lubricants
I've used some pretty old way oil, but after a while I found it leaves a varnish. That's probably the time to dump it and buy new. There are lots of people bottling up the right lubes for SBs.
Conrad
1947 Logan 211 Lathe, Grizzly G1006 mill/drill, Clausing DP,
Boyar-Schultz 612H surface grinder, Sunnen hone, import
bandsaw, lots of measurement stuff, cutters, clutter & stuff.
"May the root sum of the squares of the Forces be with you."
1947 Logan 211 Lathe, Grizzly G1006 mill/drill, Clausing DP,
Boyar-Schultz 612H surface grinder, Sunnen hone, import
bandsaw, lots of measurement stuff, cutters, clutter & stuff.
"May the root sum of the squares of the Forces be with you."
Re: Proper way lubricants
I use stihl chain and bar oil, works well.
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- Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2020 2:59 pm
Re: Proper way lubricants
Vactra No. 2 here as well. Afaik as long as the way lube is still clear it's ok to use as is. There's been a few forum threads around on various boards mentioning some way lubes can go a bit cloudy if it goes off. Zero idea if that's true or not, and that also might have been the result of contamination or a bit of water getting into the oil. I also have no idea if the additives in way oil will start to settle out given enough time. So it wouldn't be a bad idea to give the container a good long shake just in case.
Re: Proper way lubricants
Vactra 2 for lathes and any horizontal sliding surfaces.
Vactra 4 for mill columns and any vertical sliding surfaces - clings better.
Steve
Vactra 4 for mill columns and any vertical sliding surfaces - clings better.
Steve
Re: Proper way lubricants
My mill came with felt wipers on both the upper and lower part of the knee. Any extra or excess Vactra no. 2 does run off, but the felt still absorbs enough to lay down a thin coat of way lube on those vertical surfaces as long as I oil often enough. There pretty simple and it wouldn't be hard to shop build something for almost any mill to do the same.
Re: Proper way lubricants
Great idea! I was looking for another little improvement project for my mill and this may just be it. Thanks!pete wrote: ↑Tue Nov 09, 2021 4:53 pm My mill came with felt wipers on both the upper and lower part of the knee. Any extra or excess Vactra no. 2 does run off, but the felt still absorbs enough to lay down a thin coat of way lube on those vertical surfaces as long as I oil often enough. There pretty simple and it wouldn't be hard to shop build something for almost any mill to do the same.
Re: Proper way lubricants
Glad I gave you some inspiration Lou. Try a search on Youtube for Milling Machine Way Wipers. Most of what will come up will be for lathes instead, but the design and ideas are pretty much the same for a mill.