Lathe oil

[flint]

I have a C4 lathe that I want to get up and running. The manual doen't really give any suggestion for the type of oil to use. I would appreciate any thoughts on what would be the best way to go.

On nearly the same topic, any suggestions for the best oil to use to store tools to prevent rust?

Thanks in advance.

[John Hill]

Hi Flint, I was recently faced with the question when I bought a lathe some months ago and the advice I got was to use hydraulic oil, in fact when I got the container of hydraulic oil home I read on the label "Suitable for lightly loaded spur gear gearboxes"  which of course is a perfect description of a lathe headstock. There are a couple of grades to choose from.

John

[bogstandard]

Just to elaborate slightly on what John has told you. In the UK we use a grade of hydraulic oil that has a 32 in the title ie Tellus 32. That can also be used for general lubrication of the tailstock and other spindles that usually have little oilers.

For slideways, if you can, get a dedicated slideway oil, it usually has the number 68 in the title.

http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Chronos_Catalogue_Oils__Lubricants___Adhesives_etc_124.html

For open gears, such as change gears and long lost gears (inside the mini lathe headstock) you are better off buying a can of spray on chain grease, that is designed to penetrate and stick like s**t to a blanket, rather than being thrown off, as normally happens with GP grease.


Bogs

[flint]

thank you very much for the response. Now I know where to start.