Thread: Spindle and way lube

Hi I will be buying sum spindle lube Mobil Valocite 10 it is a medium wight spindle oil. I am all buying some way oil Mobil Vectra 2 un fortunately i have to buy it in 20 Liter drums witch is going to last my till i am 750 years old so if there is anyone that needs this stuff don't hesitate to send a pm i will sell it at the same price i pay for it I will let you no tomorrow what the price is . I don't no if it can de posted I will find this out


Best Regards Chris

Try my/our supplier in Dandenong, "All things oil". The have different weight slideway oils in 4litre containers and can get just about everingthing needed for industry use.
Regards,
Peter

I very much doubt whether oil can be posted..it would have to be sent via courier....I bought 20l of Vactra 2 but I also use it in windmills so I will get through it rather quickly...Happy to send you a litre if you want some..

Originally Posted by brittleheart

Try my/our supplier in Dandenong, "All things oil". The have different weight slideway oils in 4litre containers and can get just about everingthing needed for industry use.
Regards,
Peter

Thanks for the pointer,
I rang John yesterday and he was most helpful - even offered to drop off the oil on his way home tonight. Can't get better service than that.

Just FYI on the Vactra 2 way oil...At the request of the printing industry Mobil changed the formula a few years ago-removed most of the tackifiers which make it stick to ways.

The old Vactra still exists but is now called Vacuoline. The ISO 68 weight stuff is Vacuoline 1409. They also have the ISO220 weight, but I am unsure of the number designator for that one.

I also just got a price on Fuchs sideway oil at $132.00 for 20 litres

Greg

Hello Guys,

I am emplyed by Valvoline. We have a slideway lube called Valtac 68 & Valtac 220. Unfortunatly only available in 20lt size or 205lt as it is an industrial oil and not packaged for reseller 5lt size.

Should be able to locate in each state and cost would be around around $100 dollars or so in 20 lt size.

Hope this helps,

Kevin.

For info, I went through the process of finding appropriate oil some time back but wasn't prepared for 20l. After going through a LOT of oil specs I decided to use compressor oil (of all things!) for the bearings and car diff oil for the ways. Within the process I quizzed a few local shops and they thought I was absolutely mad; they just use engine oil for everything!

My choices may seem a bit bizarre, but they seemed to be the closest specced oils to that specified by the manufacturer. The bearing oil I'm more than happy with but the diff oil stinks and I think I'll eventually change that for something else. The spindle speeds in our lathes are not high and I'd suggest this is not a big ask for an oil, likewise I doubt many here would be using the lathe in a high use production setting and it's highly possible we're over complicating the whole thing. Never mind, just another obsession for my list

Pete

This is a regular topic of discussion on the dedicated machinist's boards. Motor oil is poo-poo'ed because the detergent additives keep the metal particles in suspension, allowing them to wear out the machine faster. This might be another example of "she'll be right, mate".

I think some hobbyists do a lot more research into things than the average tradesman. (me included-that's why I never get anything done)

Anyway Pete, I am going to buy some way oil. I thought of diff oil too but cannot stand the stink of the EP additives in it. EP grease is bad enough, and I only use 6 grams of that once a year. When I get some way oil I'll split it up for actual cost if anyone is interested.

Greg

Yeah agreed, though one guy I was talking to had his machines going flat out for an eternity. Obviously I couldn't see how worn his machines were but was impressed by how clean and organised his shop was so didn't consider him one to take short cuts.

Having said all that, if you can get the right stuff wouldn't you use it! Greg, if I was down your "way" I'd buy some off you ... excuse the pun.

Yeah the diff oil stinks but I don't know if I'm getting used to it or if the bottle loses some of the smell once opened? It doesn't seem quite as bad as when I first started using it anyway.

I mentioned I was happy with the compressor oil in the bearings and that's true, however I DID come across something I felt was even better; Jet Turbine oil. Turbines are pretty much just a collection of spindles whizzing around at great speed and, while way over-specced for a lathe would be almost perfect in my books. They may be a bit thinner than traditional spindle oils so you'd probably need to watch that it didn't go through too quickly. I believe it's a bit nasty too but maybe that's changed? I was about to head out to Bankstown to try my luck with the refuelling companies there when I found the compressor oil was darn close to factory spec so just left it at that. So no experience with the turbine oils personally but they certainly fit the bill on paper anyway.

Pete

Originally Posted by wildwesty

Hello Guys,

I am emplyed by Valvoline. We have a slideway lube called Valtac 68 & Valtac 220. Unfortunatly only available in 20lt size or 205lt as it is an industrial oil and not packaged for reseller 5lt size.

Should be able to locate in each state and cost would be around around $100 dollars or so in 20 lt size.

Hope this helps,

Kevin.

Guys,

Makes interesting reading! If anyone is interested you can use hydraulic oil for the headstock spindles etc in either ISO 46 or 68. Has zinc anti wear package and does a great job keeping hydraulic pumps well lubed and they have exremely close tolerances as well as temperature issues. This is avail in 5lt, 10lt,& 20lt and so on in any brand. Also hyd oil is pretty price sensitive so you do not pay an arm or leg for it.
Some also use a mono grade 40 weight engine oil to lube the spindles as it is a single grade (as the name implies) and does not have a huge additive / detergent package. Avail in 1 lt, 5lt etc most brands.

I have no issues using this in my spindle brgs as well as in the saddle etc. 10 people will give you about 9 different opinions, so listen to them all and sort out what works for you.
Valvoline have a technical hotline number 1800 804 658 toll free weekdays from 8.30 am till 4.30 pm Sydney time. Please feel free to ring and discuss your applications with the staff and they will assist you to a recommendation that suits.

Cheers,

Kevin