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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Cowra, NSW, Australia
    Posts
    1

    Default Oils for Hercus 9" model C

    Sorry if this has been answered before but I have conflicting recommendations to sort out. The Hercus 'textbook of turning' (chapter 1 third page) suggests that only one type of oil is necessary for their 9" lathe. This seems to be a non detergent SAE 30 type oil ( e.g. BP Energol H.P. 30). However the original Southbend seems to require 4 types, roughly SAE 10,20,30 type and 'way oil'. What are others using?
    Also, what shape are the spindle bearing oil reservoir felts? Mine were cylindrical and the same diameter as the spring but the recess is a larger square near the shaft and both of mine had cocked sideways and one was no longer touching the shaft at all. Any idea of a source for these as they are pretty well unserviceable.

    ian
    Cowra, NSW

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Revesby - Sydney Australia
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,183

    Default

    1. My uneducated opinion about oil is that any oil is better than none. A light oil will leak (spray?) out of a worn machine, but I reckon the simplicity of one oil can for the whole machine outweighs the problem of remembering what weight/can goes where!

      The recommendation for Teflon grease in back gear and spindle has me thrown.
      Not exactly OEM!!!
      .
    2. My type C has square wells, um, as well



    IMG_1456.jpg




    The ILION renovation guide shows round or oval-shaped wells in a Southbend, so the felt kits have round felts & springs.


    I guess it is possible that Hercus originally used strips of felt cut and arranged in vertical layers?
    Any historians reading???

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    sydney ( st marys )
    Age
    64
    Posts
    4,887

    Default

    Firstly with the age of machines you both have and the work life they may or not had it's not bad that they still run.

    Dont concern yourself too much with oil type, an hydraulic oil 46 /68 grade available from suppliers in 5 litre containers would be suitable for all oiling / lubrication places, 5 litres would probably see you burning or worming.

    In regardsto the spindle felts they are round, the spring applies pressure to the felt which in turn if sitting correctly applies pressure to the end of the felt to apply oil to the spindle wicked up from the headstock spindlebearing reservoir.

    If you would like an opinion I will be in Cowra from Friday to Sunday.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Revesby - Sydney Australia
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,183

    Default any oil will do

    Ian, here are some old threads about oil;


    https://metalworkforums.com/f189/t76...rcus-lathe-oil

    https://metalworkforums.com/f189/t176765-oils



    I was looking at using little bottles of light machine oil
    (e.g. Singer sewing machine oil, or 3-in-one from Bunnings - 88ml=$2.98),
    but Compressor Oil seems an easy way to get 1L for a good price?

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