Oil for Myford Super 7?

Bob:

I ordered a jug of Myford oil from Blue Ridge for my Super Seven. Looking at it, it appears identical in viscosity, color and smell to the much less expensive Mobil Light Duty Spindle Oil that I ordered from MSC. The price for a gallon of Mobil LDSO is much less than a quart of the Myford stuff. I've been using the Mobil for some time now with no problems.

Jack

I ordered a jug of Myford oil from Blue Ridge for my Super Seven. Looking at it, it appears identical in viscosity, color and smell to the much less expensive Mobil Light Duty Spindle Oil that I ordered from MSC.

Spindle oil is a circulating oil, AKA "turbine" oil.

Mobil DTE light, heavy medium, etcetera is among the best lubricant of this type.

I use SAE 20-40 oil in summer and 0-40 oil in winter. This is with an ML7 that I've fitted a new hardened mandrel and bronze bearings to and scraped them to a very good fit. For an older mandrel and white metal bearings I would suggest an SAE 30 oil.

Don't worry about detergents and all that stuff, Since the myfords are total loss it wouldn't be significant even if it did make a difference in other lathes (which it doesn't IMHO).

The test for the right viscosity is that the bearings should be mildly warm to the touch at the fastest speeds you can run at.

HTH Mark Rand RTFM

I have a Myford as well, ad checked local lubrication experts. I was told the best readily available substitute is John Deere white hydraulic fluid (the stuff they use in the transmission and hydraulics).

I have been using mobile medium spindle oil for several years in my Super 7 and it seems happy. chuck