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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
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    Sydney
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    3,112

    Default Slideway and machine oils

    I know the topic of where to source oils in small quantities comes up relatively frequently.

    Here is a source in the US who will happily send to Oz, and I have some on its way now. Obviously not just for Southbend/Hercus, I was particularly keen to see the slideway oil in small quantities as I didn't really need another 20l container of oil to store

    bluechipmachineshop | eBay

    Pete

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Perth WA
    Age
    71
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    6,458

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Pete F View Post
    I know the topic of where to source oils in small quantities comes up relatively frequently.

    Here is a source in the US who will happily send to Oz, and I have some on its way now. Obviously not just for Southbend/Hercus, I was particularly keen to see the slideway oil in small quantities as I didn't really need another 20l container of oil to store

    bluechipmachineshop | eBay

    Pete
    Hello Pete,

    The seller offers Vactra II. I'm wondering if it's way oil with the tackifiers in or out. GQ had posted a comment a while back about Mobil removing tackifiers from Vactra II in response to a printing industry request.
    Alan "C-47" has some old Vactra II, real sticky stringy stuff. I have probably 18 litres of newer Vactra II. A different oil. Hardly stringy or sticky. When your ex US oil rolls up let me know. I'll give you a pint of mine for comparison.

    Bob.

  3. #3
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    Oct 2007
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    Sydney
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    3,112

    Default

    Awesome, thanks Bob. I'll swap you some unused Little Creatures. Not sure about the tackifiers, but Mick is a nice guy and may either know or find out.

    Pete

  4. #4
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    Nov 2008
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    Perth WA
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Pete F View Post
    Awesome, thanks Bob. I'll swap you some unused Little Creatures. Not sure about the tackifiers, but Mick is a nice guy and may either know or find out.

    Pete
    If it's that dainty eau de cologne like Pale Ale there will be no swapping. My pint will be a gift. Ha ha.

    Had I known you were chasing spindle oil Pete I would have offered you some of 17 or so litres I have of Mobil DTE Heavy Medium ISO68 hydraulic oil I bought for the 13 and the Hercus spindles. Have you hit the "buy it know" button?

    Bob.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    59
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    6,541

    Default

    I have a 20 litre drum of Shell Tonna 68 that you can have a sample of if you wish to compare.

    Michael

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    near Warragul, Victoria
    Posts
    3,718

    Default Shell chart

    If it is of use to anyone, I have a paper copy of the old/new Shell chart for their product codes . The chart is available on the yahoo Colchester group files .

    BTW Some of the old Tellus oil range is now called Morlina

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    3,112

    Default

    Nah it's not the spindle oil Bob, I can go down to the local Autopro or whatever they call themselves and buy 68 no problems. It was the way oil I was basically after, however a small amount of spindle oil will nevertheless last quite a long time. I have been using compressor oil, which has similar properties, but I doubt whether it has the same pedigree.

    Pete

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    The Fabulous Gold-plated Coast.
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    Default

    I too have Shell Tonna 68 alleged way oil. I think that it too has had the tackifiers removed. Phil Machtool gave me some of the stuff he uses for comparison and the difference is night and day.

    BTW, I was off about that because I went to some lengths to find what was supposed to be real way oil. The Shell rep assured me that it was original formula, classic coke. It behaves more like motor oil.

    The mobil dealer will sell Vacuoline 1409 but only in 20 litre cans. It is supposed to be the the same as the old Vactra II.

    I am just going to buy whatever it is that Phil uses. Cannot recall the name right now. Magna something or other.

    Greg
    It's all part of the service here at The House of Pain™

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Dural NSW
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    Default Oils aint Oils

    Greg
    I was communicating with BT on this long talked about subject, only this week.
    Ive been using Castrol EPX 80 W 90 gear oil for tumbler gears, back gears, & slideway lube. However have been thinking of adding a bit of Chain Bar oil to make it stick a little more.
    What are your thoughts on this?
    regards
    Bruce

  10. #10
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    Jul 2003
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    The Fabulous Gold-plated Coast.
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Abratool View Post
    Greg
    I was communicating with BT on this long talked about subject, only this week.
    Ive been using Castrol EPX 80 W 90 gear oil for tumbler gears, back gears, & slideway lube. However have been thinking of adding a bit of Chain Bar oil to make it stick a little more.
    What are your thoughts on this?
    regards
    Bruce
    Hi Bruce...I am undecided about all of this. Originally I was a purist about oils, but then realised that even the oil companies don't seem to give a #### about changed specifications and trade names. That said, I reckon the closest oil you can get to a sticky genuine way oil should do the trick.

    There have been discussions every few weeks about way oils on the other forums. One thing I have noted is that detergent oils (all motor oils) contain contaminants in suspension so that they can be filtered out. Of course our machines lack filters so that feature is counter-productive.

    Chain saw bar oils contain tackifiers to make it stick to the bar. I don't imagination that there are many tacky agents, so maybe it would be a good solution after all*

    *All of my oil experience comes from either Porsche racing or aviation. Both of those activities are completely intolerant of substitution, so I have a habit of just following the printed specifications. Hobby friendly tribologists with useful experience based advice seem to be pretty thin on the ground.
    It's all part of the service here at The House of Pain™

  11. #11
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    Mar 2011
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    Dural NSW
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    Default Good Answer Greg

    Quote Originally Posted by Greg Q View Post
    Hi Bruce...I am undecided about all of this. Originally I was a purist about oils, but then realised that even the oil companies don't seem to give a #### about changed specifications and trade names. That said, I reckon the closest oil you can get to a sticky genuine way oil should do the trick.

    There have been discussions every few weeks about way oils on the other forums. One thing I have noted is that detergent oils (all motor oils) contain contaminants in suspension so that they can be filtered out. Of course our machines lack filters so that feature is counter-productive.

    Chain saw bar oils contain tackifiers to make it stick to the bar. I don't imagination that there are many tacky agents, so maybe it would be a good solution after all*

    *All of my oil experience comes from either Porsche racing or aviation. Both of those activities are completely intolerant of substitution, so I have a habit of just following the printed specifications. Hobby friendly tribologists with useful experience based advice seem to be pretty thin on the ground.
    Greg
    Yes, I think hobbyists can go a bit deep with the oil.
    My lathe was purchased new about 23 yrs ago, & as mentioned to BT, if the ways are kept clean & wet with oil that will suffice the hobbyist or occasional user.
    The main substances that wear out lathe beds, cross slides tailstock slides etc are filings from a file, abrasive grit from polishing, using strips of Coated Abrasive,& Scotchbrite, cast iron dust, small chips, dirt & the like. These are killers of accurate sliding surfaces.
    Ive mentioned before, that I always place a sheet of paper or better still a piece of foam sponge across the lathe bed to pick up this type of crud, when doing these operations.
    My lathe is still accurate & like new, I think its because of these steps, rather than the use of some U beaut Lube.
    However, I might try a bit of the chain bar oil (tacky) with my current EPX 80 W 90 gear oil.
    Thanks for your input.
    regards
    Bruce

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    341

    Default Re: Slideway and machine oils

    Anyone in Newcastle is welcome to contact me for some Vactra 2 (the stuff that's sold currently). I bought 20L of it.

  13. #13
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    Nov 2007
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    melbourne australia
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    Default

    Bruce,
    wouldn't tacky oil just encourage the nasties you mentioned to stick more tenaciously to the ways?
    Chris

  14. #14
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    Jul 2003
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    The Fabulous Gold-plated Coast.
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    Default

    Bruce, I agree that hygiene is more important than oil spec. Things like rigorous protection and cleaning after using abrasives or machining abrasive materials. Also, I was amazed that many hobby type lathes lack oilers on the saddle. The only way to get oil under the saddle is of course to have oilers which feed onto the ways between the wipers where the oil is needed.

    Simple things like lifting the front of the tailstock before you slide it forward does a lot to eliminate tailstock way wear. (Huge lathes often have air injection to create a hover cushion to prevent way wear)

    On my mill I have decided to incorporate a one-shot oiler for both convenience and reliability. (The unreliable element of course is me)

    Greg
    It's all part of the service here at The House of Pain™

  15. #15
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    Mar 2008
    Location
    nowra
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    1,598

    Default

    Thanks this post its very useful, I use valvoline Ultramax 68 hydraulic oil for everything have had no problems.
    BETTER TO HAVE TOOLS YOU DON'T NEED THAN TO NEED TOOLS YOU DON'T HAVE

    Andre

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