Thread: Hercus 9 Intermediate Shaft lubrication

Have yet to understand the correct oil to use on my Hercus 9 but so far am using "whatever" oil on the assumption that anything is better than nothing. BUT

- What is the most appropriate oil to use in the numerous oil cups?
- Also which oil is best for lubing the ways?

AND

- How is the Intermediate shaft lubricated? I cannot find any oil cups or lube points so have dribbled oil into the moving parts
wherever I could fit an oil can.

What is the correct way to lubricate the intermediate shaft? (Apologies if my terminology is incorrect.)

Thank you, Graham

Hi Graham,

There isn't much else you can do with that counter/lay shaft other than dribble a few drops of any general purpose oil on the ends. I use SAE 40 car engine oil on my lathe.

You could if you were so mindful drill and thread a hole in the centre of each and fit an oil cup. But beware of any oil that might weep out and cover everything in oil. The last thing that you want is to get oil on the belt.

Check to see if there are any oil points on the underside of the bearing, if so you would need to turn the bearing 180 degrees.

There normally is shallow oil ports cast in the bearing, they are normally drilled during manufacture.

In regards to oil either a 46 or 68 hydraulic oil will work, or if you prefer you can try and obtain the recommended oil used on the 9" Southbend lathes.

Any chance your bearings are installed upside down?
Or maybe they were not provided with oil holes?
My 1940s Hercus9 has countersunk holes 5/32" (4mm) at two positions on each countershaft bearing.
I believe it's the standard arrangement for lubrication.
The official handbook, "Textbook of Turning" mentions recommended oils, but they are likely no longer available by the names given. It's freely available online.
Medium to heavy oil with no detergents or dispersants would be good to use I think. They tend to drop debris harmlessly, unlike car type engine oils that hold it in suspension.
But you're right - any oil is better than none.

What clever people there are on this forum!

Yes, the bearings had been installed upside down but a very easy job to rotate them to the correct position.

Thank you very much!

Whatever else you don’t oil make sure those always have oil, mine picked up the bush because I got a bit slack and created all manner of issues until I had the machine stripped and restored and replaced that assembly with a sealed bearing set up.