Thread: Oil for headstocks ?

What oil do you guys use for the geared headstocks of your lathes ?

I've read where hydraulic oil is the go,, but that isn't suitable for lubrication, surely

MIKE

Hi Mike,

Lubrication always brings up a heated discussion on the merits of this and that.

A hydraulic oil won't hold the fine metal particles in suspension. Shell Tellus 32 is a good choice

Shell Tellus 32

Regards
Ray

I’m assuming we are talking about the machine we just cut the backing plate off?

I’d over fill it to buggery with extremely light oil, kerosene or even Diesel to flush what ever might have gotten though the front labyrinth seal. Let it run out the front.

Then fill it with what Ray mentioned. Any thing between a 32- 48. That machine being so old, and relatively slower, It may have been heavier. Like a 68 / heavy medium.

Hi Mike,

The user manual on my machine recommends Mobil DTE light. I have never been able to get this in small quantities so I use either a Tellus 46 or whatever brand that super cheap stock now in the equivalent hydraulic oil.

Hi Ray, I always wondered why hydraulic oil too, so it's because it won't wash any metal particles that maybe inside the headstock through the spindle bearings?

Cheers,

Simon

I don't have a geared headstock on either of my lathes but I do on my mill. Schaublin specified Mobil DTE Light for all the mill's lubrication - ways, feed gearbox and vertical heads. I spoke with a technical consultant at Mobil and he recommended DTE Heavy Medium ISO 68 as the most suitable oil for the mill given it's age. It was built in 1962. ( I should point out that the 13 isn't a worn out beater. It was cared for in its previous life as it is now.)

I had to purchase 20 litres of the oil. I also use it for spindle lubrication on the lathes and the little Hercus mill.

In the back of my mind there's this nagging thought that maybe I should be using the DTE Light.

BT

Bob, I think it's far more important that you are actually using oil rather than worrying at the difference between a light and medium oil. A slightly heavier oil will be more viscous and so the spindle may be more sluggish when first starting up. There will also be a slight temperature rise increase because more work is needed to move the oil around.
While I'm not an expert in oils I do know that there is less science behind selecting oils than other aspects of machine production. It is highly likely that there are several oils that would work in a particular machine tool application but only one is specified because that's what was used in a similar machine or there is an arrangement with a particular supplier or even that it was used in testing so they know it doesn't cause problems in the application.

Michael

Hi Mike,
I assume you've been far enough inside this thing to know it doesn't have a pressure filter/lubrication system? From the looks of all the oil caps in the pictures I doubt it but thought I would ask.
Also, it looks like the spindle bearing are lubricated separately from the gearbox, is that right?

Stuart

Originally Posted by Machtool

I’m assuming we are talking about the machine we just cut the backing plate off?

I’d over fill it to buggery with extremely light oil, kerosene or even Diesel to flush what ever might have gotten though the front labyrinth seal. Let it run out the front.

Then fill it with what Ray mentioned. Any thing between a 32- 48. That machine being so old, and relatively slower, It may have been heavier. Like a 68 / heavy medium.

OK good . A chap on the PC forum said to flush it out with deisel , sounds like the way to go .

I noticed that Super crap Auto have hydraulic oil on special right now , a 20 litre container of it ..will check out the grade .

On the Hendey , The headstock bearings run in their own seperate compartments , with a drain plug for each , rather neat . I might run a heavier grade in those , even 90 grade gear oil might suffice.

Apparently the headstock oil seals on this Hendey are the mechanical reverse corkscrew type , like my old Land Rover has on the rear main crank , the oil is thrown back into the sump .

Mike

I have directed a few people to Super cheap for oil as it's usually cheaper and saves running around looking for it.

Dave

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Hi Mike,
I assume you've been far enough inside this thing to know it doesn't have a pressure filter/lubrication system? From the looks of all the oil caps in the pictures I doubt it but thought I would ask.
Also, it looks like the spindle bearing are lubricated separately from the gearbox, is that right?

Stuart

Hi Stuart

We posted at same time .... crossed wires

Correct re: the seperate oil baths for the bearings .

The manual doesn't mention a pressure oil system, but the manual is lacking in many respects .

The apron has its own oiling system , it lays oil on the ways somehow, it has a oil level window too .

I found a basic lube chart. is says to use 30 weight oil in the headstock !

Hendey man on the PC forum says the twin disc clutch mechanism must be lubed often otherwise they wear badly , he outlined the adjustment proceedure too . You can leave the motor running and knock the clutch into neutral , rather fancy !

I am pretty sure you will find Super cheap only have 68.

Dave

Originally Posted by Dave J

I am pretty sure you will find Super cheap only have 68.

Dave

Right .. will have a look next time I'm in there

Originally Posted by morrisman

Correct re: the seperate oil baths for the bearings .

How thats nice, my lathe uses the gearbox oil to flush the spindle bearings

Stuart

Originally Posted by morrisman

I found a basic lube chart. is says to use 30 weight oil in the headstock !

Careful, SAE 30 is probably what's meant, which is ISO 100.

Yeah, when the Hendey manual was written 30 weight oil meant something different to 30 motor oil which is what we typically think of.

Greg