1. Home
  2. ⏣ General Metalworking
  3. Lathe oil change time

Lathe oil change time

The manual says it's time to change the oil in my lathe. It recommends 20# machine oil and to rinse the headstock with coal oil. Its close to this lathe

formatting link
I've been told to use something like VG32, SAE 32. Should I try and pick up some Vactra for the ways? or will SAE32 be ok for light hobby use? As for "coal oil" that's kerosene right? When I am rinsing it, do I run the lathe at all? or just pour it in and drain it back out? Also I'd like to take the top off and have a look inside, is this a good idea? It seems to be stuck down fairly well. If I do take it off will any automotive "form-a-gasket" be ok for replacement?

Thanks Stuart

P.s. my isp's mail server doesn't work the best so I will be watching through google groups :(

The most useful I've found since getting my lathe is to use two chuck keys when setting something up in a 4 jaw chuck.

Reply to
stu
Loading thread data ...

"coal oil" would be xylene or perhaps napthalene. JR Dweller in the cellar

-------------------------------------------------------------- Home Page:

formatting link
If you're not the lead dog, the view never changes Doubt yourself, and the real world will eat you alive The world doesn't revolve around you, it revolves around me No skeletons in the closet; just decomposing corpses

-------------------------------------------------------------- Dependence is Vulnerability:

-------------------------------------------------------------- "Open the Pod Bay Doors please, Hal" "I'm sorry, Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.."

Reply to
JR North

Kerosene for those of us "out West", was lamp oil. Don't know why it was called "coal oil", though. Don't recall anything from coal distillation being burned for light except the gas generated. The aromatics weren't particularly suited for that, evaporated far too readily.

Stan

Reply to
stans4

formatting link

Mark Rand RTFM

Reply to
Mark Rand

Wikipedia is screwed up as normal. Kerosene was referred to coal oil when I was a kid. And I am 66. Kerosene was available before gasoline.

formatting link
a good write up on kerosene and the early oil business.

Reply to
Calif Bill

The OP's manual referred to coal oil not kerosene. The production of coal oil predated the production of kerosene. The Wiki article is appropriate.

Mark Rand RTFM

Reply to
Mark Rand

PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.