Lubrication

[redvan22]

I cleaned up my Mini 7x16 lathe (Microlux) awhile back and thought I'd be smart and use grease on the ways, cross-slide and compound-slide only to find now that's its sludge and resembles something like dried peanut butter!

I used 3 in 1 oil before but it seemed to be missing the next time I got to the lathe so....

What should I have used instead?

Red

 

[BaronJ]

Hi Redvan22,

Cheap, non detergent, motor oil, SAE30 or 32 is as good as anything.
I use single grade SAE30 on my lathe, and have done for as long as I can remember !

 

[ThinWoodsman]

When I first got a benchtop lathe, I used mineral oil. Worked well enough, though eventually I bought gallon jugs of the proper Mobil stuff when I got the big machines.

 

[redvan22]

Excellent!
Thanks BaronJ and ThinWoodsman.

 

[benmychree]

Mobil Vactra #2, made for machine ways and other lube uses.