Vactra or Vacouline way oil?

Z

Zoltan

Active User
Registered
Joined
Jan 17, 2013
Messages
128
A couple years ago I bought a 16oz bottle of Vactra 2 for my mini lathe and mini mill. I've been using it since, but it wasn't as tacky and tenacious as I expected it to be. It's particularly annoying on the vertical dovetails of my mini mill. I've gotten into the habit of re-lubing the ways every single time I use the machines.

Recently I learned the Vactra 2 was reformulated a while ago and it is indeed less tacky, with the new Vacuoline 1409 still using the old Vactra forumula. If anyone has used both, is it worthwhile to spend the money to switch to Vacuoline?
 
Hi,

I am in the same boat. I am looking for oil for vertical box way and the user manual for the mill says Mobile Vactra #2. The user manual/mill are from 1965 - so it make sense to investigate the claimed change.

I did plan to call the local Mobil oil supplier today but had a busy day at work. Will try again tomorrow and report here.

Regards
Bjørn
 
I was going to buy some Vacuoline, but can't find it for sale in less than 5 gallon quantities. Some people use Vactra 4 instead of 2 on the vertical surfaces. It's thicker and won't run as fast.
 
The "new" VACTRA #2 is considered a combination hydraulic and way oil, it is used in my Brown & Sharpe MicroMaster surface grinder, and all the hydraulic and pressure fed way surfaces are supplied by one pressure system; I agree that it is not tacky enough for most other way surfaces on standard type machine tools; I once had a 55 gal drum of Vactra #4, it was too thick for most uses, so I cut it with some light weight machine oil.
It took me the better part of 25 years or so to use up that barrel, but it did finally happen.
 
I keep STP oil treatment on hand for a number of uses around my machines. Use your same #2 way oil and mix up a small bottle with enough STP to your liking. Its not bad cost wise if you just need enough for a few things. I put way oil and STP motor oil treatment in a clear squirt bottle, Walmart sells the white/translucent condiment bottles fairly cheap.

51ov7oyi7DL._SL500_AC_SS350_.jpg
 
Vacuoline is available from some folks who repackage it. Here is one. I think this is the vendor I bought two 16 oz. bottles from.

I investigated both Vacuoline 1409 and Vactra. I spoke to an Exxon Mobil application engineer at length about the two and here is what I got from that conversation:
  1. Vacuoline 1400 series oils are superior to Vactra. The Mobil engineer was quite emphatic that Vacuoline is a more robust oil than Vactra due to a superior additives package.
  2. Vacuolines are slideway and hydraulic oils; this means it would be good for sleeve bearings.
  3. Vacuoline is specifically promoted for vertical slideways; more adhesive to surfaces than Vactra due to additives package.
  4. A very big difference is that Vacuoline passes a FZG Load test for gears with high marks; Vactra is not FZG rated. The engineer pointed out that Vacuoline's rating of a 13 is high - good. This is a German research center test on gear wear. This center established ISO norms.
From my conversation with the applications engineer and the fact that Vacuoline is a slideway and hydraulic oil, I believe much of the internet stories about the change in Vactra back when to be internet lore. I could not find any evidence of a Vactra change other than stories being repeated on forums. It is irrelevant anyway.

I now use Vacuoline 1409 on the ways and Norton gears on my PM1340GT and the ways of my PM935 mill. When I run out of the small bottles I bought, I will buy a five gallon can and give some to my friends and family! The small repackaged bottles come at a premium.
 
benmychree said:
The "new" VACTRA #2 is considered a combination hydraulic and way oil, it is used in my Brown & Sharpe MicroMaster surface grinder, and all the hydraulic and pressure fed way surfaces are supplied by one pressure system; I agree that it is not tacky enough for most other way surfaces on standard type machine tools; I once had a 55 gal drum of Vactra #4, it was too thick for most uses, so I cut it with some light weight machine oil.
It took me the better part of 25 years or so to use up that barrel, but it did finally happen.
Click to expand...

I think you meant to say Vacuoline is a hydraulic and way oil, not Vactra.

Vactra is a "way and slideway" oil.

Here's a snippet from Vactra's PDS:

1511360299392.png

Here's a snippet of Vacuoline's:

1511360523386.png

BTW, I have a great deal of trust in ExxonMobil products. In my opinion they have excellent products and tech service. I wouldn't hesitate to use Vactra. I have chosen to use Vacuoline after my discussion with them.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top