Clystal clear thick oil recomendations?

[Edwin Dirnbeck]

My home shop 13 inch GEARHEAD lathe drools oil out of multiple places on the headstock.I am NOT GOING TO FIX IT.It looses maybe quart or so in a year.Typical thick oils leave a bad brown stain on everything .I would like a thick crystal clear oil. This is a light duty machine and I am not looking for the perfect oil. Good enough is fine.Edwin Dirnbeck

[3 Phase Lightbulb]

Do you really think crystal clear oil going in is going to come out crystal clear? Oh boy...

[JoeLee]

Glycerin is crystal clear but I don't know how good of a lubricant it would be.

JL.....

[BCRider]

The Castrol 10Wt non detergent oil I got for my head stock bearings is darn close to clear. What oil weight does your manual call for?

[grim_d]

If you are not going to fix it does it really matter if it leaves stains?

Make chips, worry not about oil stains.

[3 Phase Lightbulb]

If you are not going to fix it does it really matter if it leaves stains?

Make chips, worry not about oil stains.

Maybe his shop is in the bedroom?

[Michael Edwards]

paint your lathe brown

[MattiJ]

Baby oil

For tapping and rust-proofing try lanolin nipple cream

[3 Phase Lightbulb]

How about getting a diaper for the lathe.

[Rich Carlstedt]

Ed, The oil that stains has got sulfur in it , which is used as a non-galling aditive.
What you want is 20 Wt non-detergent oil.
Our farm supply here sold it in quarts for many years and it was clear.
I use it in my 12 inch Clausing Lathe
Now, they only have 5 gallon containers .

You may also want to look at Hydraulic Oils in 20 Wt

Rich

[boslab]

The only one I know is Edwards vacuum oil I used to use in the spectrometer pumps in work, spendy stuff but it was clear mineral oil, can't remember the properties so it may be entirely unsuitable
Mark

[3 Phase Lightbulb]

WD40 would be great, but he did ask for something thick. Maybe mix up some WD40 and starch.

[dbq49er]

Go to an oil supplier and get ISO 68 oil. This will be what most call SAE 20 weight non detergent oil. I had to buy the 5 gallon size. If it leaks that much you will use it up eventually. DO NOT use a car oil! It is a clear/light 3 in 1 color.
DBQ49er

[CCWKen]

Tractor hydraulic oil is clear. Good for seals, bearings and gears.

[Duffy]

Mineral oil from your local drug store is pretty clear.