Oil For Tools

DelMN · Aug 6, 2014

I have been using motor oil for my metal lathe and various other tools. With todays oil, am I getting good lubercation? Been told that zinc is no longer in motor oil. Any thoughts?

timcasbolt · Aug 6, 2014

If you're using motor oil for way oil or gear oil, you're doing yourself a disservice. Try Vactra.

I try to use the correct oil for all my lubrication needs. Sometimes it means having a ridiculous inventory, but it's better than using the wrong stuff.

Butch(OH) · Aug 6, 2014

Any oil is better than none but Tim is absolutely correct when it comes to the ways. Using anything other than prim and proper way oil is foolish economy. What a lot of people dont realize is what you use on lathe ways affects the finish of the work. Mobil Vactra is standard of the industry, usually grade #2. If your tools have plain babbitt bearings then you should be using a different oil there than in the gearboxes. Spindles take spindle oils. That being said having 25 different fluids around to use in machines that get used once a month is not very smart financially either. I manage on three lubricants, Mobile Vactra #2 for all ways. Light grade spindle oil for the Bridgeport and drill press and #68 gear oil for all gear boxes. For rust protection while not in use CRC 3-36 cannot be beat.

IH2444 · Aug 6, 2014

If you are using motor oil for cutting oil on your lathe please get the correct stuff. You will do a better job and your tooling will last longer.

Butch(OH) · Aug 6, 2014

Opps I use four oils, forgot about cutting oil,,,

dr sportster · Aug 6, 2014

Good info . Learned something here as I never heard of Vactra. " affects finish of the work". I will get some of that oil.

Oil For Tools

DelMN

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timcasbolt

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Butch(OH)

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IH2444

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Butch(OH)

Well-known Member

dr sportster

Well-known Member

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