Thread: Lubricants

New to machining and need to know what lubricants to use on a Bridgeport Mill and Eriksen Lathe. Guess I need some recommendations for;

Lathe Way Oil
Lathe Gearbox oil (mine has those rope wicks that drip oil into the gears)
Lathe Cutting Oil (I bought some of this https://www.paramountbrowns.com.au/p...utting-oil-1l/ )
Lathe Coolant

Mill Way Oil
Mill Spindle (there is a small oil pot thing that needs filling with something)
Mist Coolant

Not really sure what other points get oiled.....

Industrial or DYI setting?

In all honesty i use hydraulic oil for just about everything.

As for cutting fluid, i have used anything from basic oil to wd40.

Simon





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Does hydraulic oil work well as a cutting lubricant?

Originally Posted by simonl

As for cutting fluid, i have used anything from basic oil to wd40.

Simon





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Originally Posted by Com_VC

Does hydraulic oil work well as a cutting lubricant?

I mainly don't use a cutting lubricant on the lathe but I do when cutting threads as I find it does leave a better finish. While I'm sure that many members here will have better ideas for cutting fluids, I do use small amounts of hydraulic oil applied with a small brush for cutting threads.

I also recently bought a 4L container of WD40 and a WD40 spray bottle and so I have been using this from time to time as well.

As for the way oil and spindle oil, I bought some waylube oil years ago but I can't see any difference between using that or hydraulic oil on the ways.

For the oil cup that wicks oil onto the mill spindle I also use hydraulic oil.

Simon

I have heard of people using chainsaw bar oil on the ways because it is stickier than regular hydraulic oil. Any thoughts on that??

Originally Posted by tony_A

I have heard of people using chainsaw bar oil on the ways because it is stickier than regular hydraulic oil. Any thoughts on that??

Vertical ways do need a bit more tackiness but the chainsaw bar oil I use is really tacky and I would I would not want to use it on small machine horizontal ways. Guy Lautard's recipe includes STP to make it tackier. His way oil recipe is light machine not (any kind), STP and a dob of MoS grease.

This is a DIY situation.

Sounds like hydraulic oil might be the go - I have some 32 weight around but its quite thin.

Originally Posted by Mk1_Oz

This is a DIY situation.

Sounds like hydraulic oil might be the go - I have some 32 weight around but its quite thin.

1 oz STP per quart is Guy Lautard's recipe.
Thats a 1:32 STP:Oil ratio.
He also suggests adding 1 oz of MoS grease.

If its still too thin add some more STP.

Originally Posted by BobL

1 oz STP per quart is Guy Lautard's recipe.
Thats a 1:32 STP:Oil ratio.
He also suggests adding 1 oz of MoS grease.

If its still too thin add some more STP.

What particular version of STP Bob, or didn't he specify?

Originally Posted by Ropetangler

What particular version of STP Bob, or didn't he specify?

Its the original "Oil treatment" for engines in a blue bottle.
I got mine at SCA but see they no longer sell it - at least its not on their website but you can get it on ebay.

This one?? https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/...43ml/1086.html If so I shall pick some up.

Yep that's it. Don't know why is didn't show up in my search for it on SCA.

You only need 1oz per quart so a small bottle like that will last for ages.

Somebody somewhere recommended using chain and bar oil on the change gears because its tacky and sticks to the gears better than hydraulic oil and that is what I've done ever since.

I use hydraulic oil on the ways and in all the cups and holes. (Hercus 9")

I get the impression that any oil is better than no oil when cutting and looking for a good finish, old books refer to using whale oil and tallow and lard.

Bill

Originally Posted by steamingbill

Somebody somewhere recommended using chain and bar oil on the change gears because its tacky and sticks to the gears better than hydraulic oil and that is what I've done ever since.

If you Buy B&C oil from a hardware or chainsaw shop it can be relatively expensive especially if you buy small amounts.
The last time I bought genuine Stihl B&C oil it was as expensive as the Mobil or similar recommended gear oil for lathes.

Because I was going through so much B&C oil I used to use canola oil from Coles ($2.75/L) on my chainsaw bars and chains but if it's left sitting in oil lines for too long it can form a gel or solid and block things up and make a real mess.
Then I discovered Tru-Blu oils sell a very inexpensive B&C oil.
They have several grades of viscosity, see Chain & Bar Oil Archives - Tru Blu Oil
They will usually expect you to buy hundreds of litres but if you find a local agent you can buy smaller amounts from them
I buy mine direct from their Perth Distributor and I seem to remember that last time it cost me $50 for 20L.
I also bought 20L of hydraulic oil ail from them