Lathe Change-Box Lubrication

[hwingo]

Hey Guys,

I realize the subject of lathe gear-box lubrication has been *talked to death* on this forum. Be it what it may, *my situation* is unusual thus I "need direction" from the more experienced.

I live in Alaska approximately one hour from our largest city (Anchorage). Unlike luxuries appreciated by those living in the Lower 48, some things are difficult to obtain in Alaska. Such is the case for gear-box lubrication. Aside from being non-existent in this region, required oil **may or may not be shipped** to Alaska depending on HAZMAT restrictions. Some companies stocking such oil simply don't want to be bothered with all that's involved when shipping restricted items thus they refuse to ship to Alaska. Those being accommodating must charge a hefty shipping fee coupled with a barbarous HAZMAT fee. For example, 1 pint of Aluminum Tap (~$9.00) will cost nearly $100.00 by the time it reaches Alaska due to shipping regulations. Another example, lye (NaOH) for making soap, simply cannot be found. For a lack of better words, lye has been banned from the shelves.

I own a PM 12X36 lathe. I need oil for the lower lubricating compartment which houses my change-gears. I am severely hobbled with regard to available lubricants. I have found a limited supply of CHA-20W non-detergent oil.

1. Is this suitable oil for my gear box?

2. Can synthetic oil be substituted and if so, what commonly stocked oils, at places like NAPA, should be considered?

Thanks,

Harold

[vpt]

The CHA-20W non-detergent oil should be just fine for your box (no pun intended).

[hwingo]

The CHA-20W non-detergent oil should be just fine for your box (no pun intended).

Thanks VPT. In passing, you're not too far from where I used to live (Shawano).

Harold

[JCHannum]

Don't overlook hydraulic oils. They should be in good supply in AK and will work very well.

[hwingo]

Don't overlook hydraulic oils. They should be in good supply in AK and will work very well.

Would you please offer specific brands and weights? I am certain that I will be asked this question when asking for hydraulic oil. Are there certain types of hydraulic oil I should NOT use?

Thanks,

Harold

[lakeside53]

You can get hydraulic oil in many weights... ISO32, 46 and 68 are most common, with ISO 10, 22 used in some applications. ISO 68 is close to SAE30.

Brands? for your application it really doesn't matter - choose the NAPA house labled oil - it will be cheaper than the major names, and it will be one of them..,

20 seems very light for that type of gears... What weight does the manfufacturer recommend?

For a gearbox you should be using a gear oil specifically made for straight cut gears - not hypoid.. But... almost any oil is better than no oil. Just be sure it's safe for use around bronze - NO EP additives.

If you have a Grainger store in AK, they will have (or can get) any of the oils listed on their site.

[hwingo]

What weight does the manfufacturer recommend?

The manual simply states, "Machine Oil". No other specifics are provided.

Harold

[MetalMunger]

Hey Guys,

I realize the subject of lathe gear-box lubrication has been *talked to death* on this forum. Be it what it may, *my situation* is unusual thus I "need direction" from the more experienced.

I live in Alaska approximately one hour from our largest city (Anchorage). Unlike luxuries appreciated by those living in the Lower 48, some things are difficult to obtain in Alaska. Such is the case for gear-box lubrication. Aside from being non-existent in this region, required oil **may or may not be shipped** to Alaska depending on HAZMAT restrictions. Some companies stocking such oil simply don't want to be bothered with all that's involved when shipping restricted items thus they refuse to ship to Alaska. Those being accommodating must charge a hefty shipping fee coupled with a barbarous HAZMAT fee. For example, 1 pint of Aluminum Tap (~$9.00) will cost nearly $100.00 by the time it reaches Alaska due to shipping regulations. Another example, lye (NaOH) for making soap, simply cannot be found. For a lack of better words, lye has been banned from the shelves.

I own a PM 12X36 lathe. I need oil for the lower lubricating compartment which houses my change-gears. I am severely hobbled with regard to available lubricants. I have found a limited supply of CHA-20W non-detergent oil.

1. Is this suitable oil for my gear box?

2. Can synthetic oil be substituted and if so, what commonly stocked oils, at places like NAPA, should be considered?

Thanks,

Harold

Harold,
Inlet Petroleum Company
459 W Bluff Dr, Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 274-3835
Is where you want to go just bring your truck cause they mostly cater to the oil patch in 55 gal drums

[hwingo]

Harold,
Inlet Petroleum Company
459 W Bluff Dr, Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 274-3835
Is where you want to go just bring your truck cause they mostly cater to the oil patch in 55 gal drums

Thanks MM. I will give them a call today.

Harold

[Rich Carlstedt]

Harold
My Atlas Clausing Lathe has a enclosed Quick change box and Apron
Both use non detergent 20 wt oil (specified)
You sometimes find it as a mineral oil
I buy it at the farm supply store
Works very well.
For aluminum tapping, you can shove a wax stick in the hole first, which also works well

I work in Shawano , buy the way

Rich

[oldbikerdude37]

I may get flamed for this but im sure you can find lots of chiansaw bar oil in Alaska.

Its not bad stuff at all.

[Toolguy]

Oil

Chainsaw bar & chain oil is some great stuff! It clings to the parts and keeps a thick coat of oil on anything that moves.

[vpt]

But I think it also keep chips stuck where they fall or other metal shavings which isn't good. The non-detergent 20w will let any chips or metal shavings fall to the bottom of the box. The bar and chain oil is good to use for way oil.

[John Garner]

Harold --

If it was my machine, my first choice of oil would be a SAE 20 / ISO 68 machine tool way oil -- Chevron Vistac, Shell Tonna, Mobil Vactra, or another oil company's equivalent oil -- provided I already had some or could get it without too much hassle.

My second choice oil would be an Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) meeting any revision of General Motors "Dexron" specification.

John

[pogo]

I was looking for a proper way oil instead of chainsaw oil, too, and finally got a 5 gallon bucket of it for ~$35 from the Chevron distributer in Palmer. It took a couple day's wait, but they had it available in the company supply chain AND I paid no shipping costs.

Down in America you have the option of paying shipping costs if you want to pay them, but in Alaska we simply don't have the option.