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What grade oil to use in headstock?

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Matthew Hodges & Jennie Betley

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Dec 31, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/31/98
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I recently inherited a Homecraft lathe by Delta. It has an oil port in
the top of the headstock, but no indication as to what grade to use.
Just thought I'd ask here in hopes someone could provide some
guidance...

Matthew Hodges
Midland, Michigan

George Nazarko

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Dec 31, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/31/98
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Most bushings are happy with SAE 20W non-detergent, though a lighter grade
would probably do.

Matthew Hodges & Jennie Betley wrote in message
<368BAC...@Concentric.net>...

Owen Davies

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Dec 31, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/31/98
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Matthew Hodges & Jennie Betley asked:


> I recently inherited a Homecraft lathe by Delta. It has an oil port in
> the top of the headstock, but no indication as to what grade to use.

That brings up a similar question. I have a big shop-built bowl lathe
that I haven't used much, and it could probably use some grease.
The pillow blocks are medium-duty Fafnirs, with grease fittings.
What should I use to lubricate these things?

Many thanks.

Owen Davies

Fred Holder

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Dec 31, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/31/98
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Hello Matthew,

The instructions that came with my Record CL-3 say to use 30 weight non
detergent. However, there was a fellow posted on this subject several months
ago, maybe a year ago, who said that the synthentic oil was best for bronze
bushings. I tried it and like it and have been using it since for all of my
bronze bushing requirements. Seems to work good. I didn't walk out to the shop
to check, so I don't remember who made the oil; i.e., Mobil, Shell??? If you
really want the specs off the container, e-mail me and I'll go look it up.

Fred Holder
<http://www.skagit.com/woodturning>


In article <368BAC...@Concentric.net>, Matthew says...


>
>I recently inherited a Homecraft lathe by Delta. It has an oil port in
>the top of the headstock, but no indication as to what grade to use.

Martin H. Eastburn

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Dec 31, 1998, 3:00:00 AM12/31/98
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My wood lathe has little screw on lid pots - they are for grease.
I fill them several times until I can't screw down the top - making
sure the grease fills the bearing area.

Metal lathes use 10 wt Non detergent oil. ND since you don't want
metal shavings floating up and around in the oil - which will make more.

You might check inside - see if it was oil or grease - easy to tell.
Typically the lathe manufacture requires one or the other and specifies.

Martin
--
NRA LOH, NRA Life
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder
Martin Eastburn, Barbara Eastburn
@ home on our computer old...@pacbell.net

Howard Klepper

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Jan 1, 1999, 3:00:00 AM1/1/99
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your best bet is always to ask the manufacturer. Delta may still have
a recommendation. but you probably won't go wrong with an ISO 22
grade spindle oil.

Owen: you should call Fafnir. most multi-purpose greases will
probably do fine. Do not use automotive wheel bearing grease.

K.T.Goodchild

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Jan 8, 1999, 3:00:00 AM1/8/99
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Matthew Hodges & Jennie Betley wrote:

> I recently inherited a Homecraft lathe by Delta. It has an oil port in
> the top of the headstock, but no indication as to what grade to use.
> Just thought I'd ask here in hopes someone could provide some
> guidance...
>
> Matthew Hodges
> Midland, Michigan

use 20/40 grade Motor Oil as used in most car engines. This should be OK.

regards

Ian O'Toole


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