Changing Headstock Oil

ddickey

H-M Supporter - Gold Member
H-M Supporter Gold Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2016
Messages
3,565
Thinking it might be a good idea to change oil in my lathe. There are three oil site glasses. Headstock, apron and another below the headstock not sure what exactly that one is called, threading gears maybe.?
I've always added Velocite 10 when needed. I thought I read somewhere recently about adding way oil to the apron.
Can someone set me straight on this and suggest a good oil to use?
 
I think someone asked why so many duplicates. I got an email that there was a response but I can't see it now.
When I posted this message I got an error so I thought it didn't post. I went over to Microsoft Edge and tried a few times there. Same message.
Now I see it was posted four times.
 
If your apron has an oil pump that provides lubrication to the ways, then use way oil. If it just for lubricating the gearing and clutches in the apron, then Velocite 10 or equivalent to be used. If you have been using way oil in the apron, continue to do so, won't hurt a thing.
 
Most headstocks of newer lathes take a minimum of an ISO32 gear or Hydraulic oil, Velocite 10 is a bit thin as it is an ISO 22. I would not use it unless that is what the manufacture specifcally recommends, what lathe is this going into? Also, most newer lathe with closed gearboxes and carriage take an ISO68 gear oil, so Velocite 10 would be too thin to be used. You want to use the correct viscosity, too thin or too thick in particular in the headstock is not good. Some older carriages may also specify way oil, usually an ISO 68 like Mobil Vactra 2, this is because of its tackiness sticks to the gears as they swing out of the oil (they stay coated). Unless you have an older lathe, like an old SB, then a regular gear oil will be fine.

The most commonly used ISO32 oil usually used for this application is Mobil DTE 24 or DTE Light
The most commonly used ISO68 oil usually used for this application is Mobil DTE 26 or DTE Heavy Medium
 
It's a 2000 Acra-Turn 13x40.
I have never seen a manual for it.
DTE Light and Heavy Meduim then. Sounds good to me.
 
I also have a Chinese made 13x40 lathe (Kent KLS-1340A). When I got it I looked at all the manuals I could find for these machines, and found some differences in recommended lube. For gear head and feed box ISO32 or ISO64 (edit: ISO 68) spindle oil or hydraulic oil. For apron, ISO32, ISO68 gear or hydraulic oil, or Vactra #2.

I first went with the ISO32 (actually AW32 hydraulic oil) in the gear boxes and Vactra #2 in the apron. The gears seemed to make more noise with the ISO32 oil than with the noticably thicker black factory gunk that was in it when I got it. The next time I filled the gearboxes, I mixed ISO32 and 68 together, making something like ISO46, and allowing me to get rid of the leftover ISO32. That quieted things down a bit. I have stayed with the Vactra #2 in the apron, it is said to coat the gears and help to protect them, as well as being wet for startup.

Another thing I learned from reading all the manuals is that the worm and worm gear and the half nuts on the back side of the apron do not get lubed unless you do it manually. They are not in a particularly easy place to get to. You can use a light grease like NLGI 1, or way oil, on both the worm gears and the half nuts. I use either one, but it is important to lube them regularly, or they will fail. My Kent lathe came with spare worm and worm gears, and an extra set of half nuts. I wonder why???;)
 
Last edited:
I don't see any ISO 64 options but
ISO 68 is the viscosity of way oil.
Maybe try an ISO 46 AND way oil in the apron.
Any brand suggestions?
Is hydraulic oil okay? Much cheaper than Mobil DTE.
 
If you look at just about every lathe manual in the 14x40 sizes, and all the Grizzly lathes, they indicate ISO32 for the headstock and ISO68 for the gearbox and carriage. This is consistent with probably 90% of the manuals I have seen for this size machine. The gears in the carriage and gearbox are slow speed and they are quickly lubricated (splash) with any rotation. I would not chase yourt tail on mixing blends etc., anything you put in will be much better than what you had. Hydraulic oil can be used for gear oil in this setting, I am not aware of any significant difference. In my 1340GT I use the DTE 24 in the headstock, DTE 26 in the carriage. Since I have an open gearbox with a total loss pump oiler system, I use way oil (Vacuoline 1409, ISO68) for this gearbox. If it was a closed gearbox I would use DTE 26. Any name brand should be ok, there can be some issues with some gear oils used in cars. Most people go to farm and tractor supply/industrial supply and get hydraulic/gear oil without high pressure additives.
 
I don't see any ISO 64 options but
ISO 68 is the viscosity of way oil.
Maybe try an ISO 46 AND way oil in the apron.
Any brand suggestions?
Is hydraulic oil okay? Much cheaper than Mobil DTE.
ISO 68 is correct (senior moment...) Post edited.
 
Back
Top