Oil Grade for 280VS manual machine

[Andy B]

I need some replacement oil for the headstock, gearbox and apron of my 280VS manual machine, but I'm having trouble determining what are the modern equivalents to the Esso and Shell products quoted on the machine plate.

Can someone tell me what oil (brand and grade) is recommended for the modern machines, as this might give me something to go on?

Thanks,
Andy

[Denford Admin]

Try PMing Dazz ......

viewtopic.php?t=406

[davidimurray]

I asked a friend -

"What are the specified grades?

Hydraulic oil is the norm.

Energol is another common oil specified but as far as I am aware it is nothing more than hydraulic oil"

Have you got the recomended grades there?

Cheers

Dave

[Andy B]

Hi,

The manual says Esso 'Beacon 3' or Castrol 'Castrolite' for the oil and Esso 'Nuray 32' or Castrol 'Spheerol-AP3' for the grease - but I think that is incorrect, as 'Beacon' is a grease and 'Nuray' was an old oil product name!

Any help much appreciated.

Andy

[clarkea1]

You're right, Esso Beacon 3 is a grease! Castrol Castrolite in an SAE30 mineral-based engine oil (dating from the 50's/60's.....)

I've got an old Harrison 140 lathe, and currently use a slideway lubricant in the headstock gearbox, as it's a bit thicker and hence makes the gearbox less prone to leaks (of course, I could just fix the leaks, but that seems like overkill.....)

Assuming you don't have the leak problem, try Shell Tellus 27 or 33, which are hydraulic oils. Tellus 27 has an ISO viscosity grade of 32. An alternative would be Mobil DTE24, or Castrol Hyspin AWS32. These are all general purpose hydraulic oils which are more than suited to modern lathe headstocks. They are recommended by Harrison/Colchester (or were back in 1972 according to the lubrication plate on my lathe).

For the slidways, I'd suggest using a slidway oil such as Mobil Vactra #2, which has an ISO VG of 68, and contains extreme pressuere (EP) additives and stuff to make it stickier (tackifiers is the correct term apparently!), and thus is more suited to lubricating slides.

Castrol Spheerol AP3 is a general use, lithium based grease. Nearest modern equivalent would be Castrol Spheerol EPL 2, or perhaps Shell Alvania EP(LF)2. You might find something like Castrol LM grease (intended for wheel bearings, but OK for general purpose use) easier to obtain in small quantities from a motor factors.

Hope this helps

Alastair

[davidimurray]

Passed the info to my friend - he replied -

"All my lathes have hydraulic oil - grade 46 - the closest to Telus 37/27 which is fairly standard in lathe headstocks as specified by Colchester.
Buck and hickman sell a universal headstock oil - BP Energol HP30 and HP46 (same as above)."

Cheers

Dave

[Andy B]

Thanks for all your replies.

I had been pointed towards a hydraulic oil previously but could not get any confirmation that it was suitable.

Now, there just happened to be a barrel of Tellus 37 located not far from me, the owner of which was supportive of a worthy cause!

Andy

[Andy B]

A bit of an update:
I just read in the TDS1 manual that the recommended oil is Esso Coray 45 or equivalent.

If anyone in the UK is having trouble finding the correct oil in small quantities, I can recommend Modeloil, run by a very helpful chap, Richard Hallett.

I have no connection other than as a satisfied customer.

Andy

[Andy B]

A bit of an update:
I just read in the TDS1 manual that the recommended oil is Esso Coray 45 or equivalent.

If anyone in the UK is having trouble finding the correct oil in small quantities, I can recommend Modeloil, run by a very helpful chap, Richard Hallett.

I have no connection other than as a satisfied customer.

Andy