What oil to lubricate Lathe?

Apologies if this question has already been asked before but a forum search on "oil" returns no results - in fact my forum search appears not to be working at all :sad1:.

This question is what oil should I use to lubricate my lathe?

I have some old ISO68 hydraulic oil which came from the previous owner of my AL-336D lathe. In anticipation of needing some more oil soon I did some research and found various types of "Way Oil".
I found products like Fuchs Renep Slideway Oil but they are only available in 20lt drums, way too much for my home workshop, 5lt will last me a couple of years at least.

The lathe manual specifies ISO 68 equivalent.

Can I just use any ISO 68 hydraulic oil shown in the attached table?
Is hydraulic oil compatible with water based coolant?
Is hydraulic oil missing the "tackifier" claimed to be in way oil?

What does everyone else use for general slide way lubrication and where do you get it (in less than 20lt)?

I'd very much appreciate your views on this subject.

Thanks for reading my post.

Attachment 384696

In future maybe try google.

Insert any search terms, plus "site:metalworkforums.com/"
This will restrict the search to the metalworkforums

You can even search within a specific forum.
To do that go to the specific forum and then look at the URL, and you will see a number appended to that forums URL
eg the "Metalwork Projects" forum is /metalworkforums.com/f303
So, to search the "Metalwork Projects" forum only
Insert any search terms, plus "site:metalworkforums.com/f303"

As for way oil, quite a few people just use hydro.
If you want to you can add your won tackier, STP engine treatment is a relatively cheap source
Maybe do a search for, STP, way oil, lathe, using the ideas above.

Once you have close to the right oil, the most important thing is liberal application.
In some ways this is more important that the other. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BobL

.. google.
Insert any search terms, plus "site:metalworkforums.com/"
This will restrict the search to the metalwork forums

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Thanks BobL,
that worked well - the search field on the top RH side of this page had me fooled into thinking I could search this forum!

useful info found in this thread.

👍👍👍

You will find that chainsaw bar oil which contains a tackifier will be more than suitable as a way oil. It is available in one litre quantities for around $10.

Chas.

We just use 68 hydro oil (Castrol Hyspin 68 AWS) at work.

Unless you're using it all day every day, it probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference (and even then I'd argue it probably doesn't matter that much) as long as you're using something.

Hi Guys,

I've been using plain SAE 30 car engine oil for years ! Apart from a thirsty Myford it seems that a gallon (5 Ltr) container lasts for nearly two years, maybe more.

I use 68 hydraulic oil. Still got about 40 lts of the stuff so should be alright for a while.

Tony

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BaronJ

Hi Guys,

I've been using plain SAE 30 car engine oil for years ! Apart from a thirsty Myford it seems that a gallon (5 Ltr) container lasts for nearly two years, maybe more.

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Same here. Works fine.

I know people that use Canola oil on the ways as they are allergic to petro chemicals. Also works fine.

Wipe and replace regularly and they all work better ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nearnexus

Same here. Works fine.
I know people that use Canola oil on the ways as they are allergic to petro chemicals. Also works fine.
Wipe and replace regularly and they all work better ;)

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Just a warning about using canola, don't walk away and leave it for months or years. The Canola will oxidise and polymerise forming a gummy layer that sticks like klingons and make a real mess. I know this from leaving it on my chainsaw chain and bar and it was a PITA to get off.

As I said in the other post. Chainsaw bar oil comes in different grades, from "some" tackifier to "lots" and mostly they don't tell you what is what. The one that has lots is very sticky and way (HAHA) to sticky for horizontal ways. Maybe OK for vertical ways on HD gear but otherwise I wouldn't use it on smaller machines.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by elanjacobs

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Unless you're using it all day every day, it probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference (and even then I'd argue it probably doesn't matter that much) as long as you're using something.

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To me, if you have a multi million dollar machine working 24/7 in a production facility then you stick to the manufacturer's lube recommendations. At the other end of the scale, e.g. a Hafpos lathe that is used for an hour or two per day, it doesn't matter what oil is used on the ways so long as they get some.
I keep an oil can of medium weight motor oil handy and give the ways a squirt every half hour or so.