South bend lathe lubricant

[JASON50CAL]

Picked up 2 south bend lathes the other day. A heavy 10 and a 13x7’. Both came from the same shop and are in great shape but looking in the manuals that came with them they call for oils that either aren’t made anymore or labeled as something else. I’m new to using a lathe so forgive me if this is a stupid question but what would be best for lubricant for them. I have been using a 90w gear oil but didn’t know if that’s what I should use or not. Maybe synthetic gear oil? Or should I use different oils for the spindle bearings, gear box and ways? What do you use?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Theres a guy on ebay that makes an oil kit. Ill try to find it

 

[Dusty Stevens]

 

[c2a4r3l]

This kit is well worth the money. Replace the all the felts.

 

[DShortt]

I second this advice. I ordered a similar kit and installed it in my Heavy 10 when I got it. A good investment.

 

[JASON50CAL]

Thanks guys. Ordered the oil kit from eBay. Will get the rebuild kits a lil later after I use them for a while and get more familiar with them. Also need to pick up a 4 jaw chuck for the 10 and a floating reamer holder.

 

[LVLAaron]

8" GATOR Lathe Chuck 4 Jaw Direct Mount D1-4 NEW

+ call JGS for a reamer holder.

Thanks guys. Ordered the oil kit from eBay. Will get the rebuild kits a lil later after I use them for a while and get more familiar with them. Also need to pick up a 4 jaw chuck for the 10 and a floating reamer holder.

 

[tobnpr]

Type B- DTE 24/ISO 32
Type C- DTE Heavy/Medium ISO 68
Vactra #2 Way Oil

I still have the original "A" from the kit from 7 years ago...very little of that is used (spindle bearings and apron).

Know that these rely on felts to wick the oil to where it's needed.
If the machines have been sitting for an extended period, or the felts have not been replaced in a decade (SB recommended 7 years)- you risk the felts not wicking the oil. If you don't know how to evaluate these machines I recommend you buy the rebuild kits- and at least read the manuals so you know how they work and how to evaluate them, and adjust tolerances. WIthout the manuals, you won't even know the oiling points (some are easy to miss) and which oil to use.

I use a synthetic chain lube spray on the open gears on my lathes. The tackifiers keep it clinging to the gears and it stays on for several days.

 

[DaveTooley]

Thanks guys. Ordered the oil kit from eBay. Will get the rebuild kits a lil later after I use them for a while and get more familiar with them. Also need to pick up a 4 jaw chuck for the 10 and a floating reamer holder.

Make a simple pusher.

 

[Retired shooter]

You all will probably have a good laugh at this. First lathe I learned to operate, was running 5his before high school. Closed down Dads welding and machine shop. Close as I have found.
1913 South Bend Model. E. Couldn't see it go to scrapyard. Old lathe will still hold good tolerance if the operator knows how. These pics after it being pressure washed couple weeks ago. First time since it was built. Waiting on me to finish clean and paint.

Brought home lathe, small vertical mill, old camelback drill press, as old as the lathe, and a 20 in. Disc sander.
All 220 3 phase. Waiting for electrician to hook up 3 phase rotary converter.

 

[Retired shooter]

Hello all.!
Did not in any way mean to derail the OP thread looking for lathe type lube. My bad.

Ya think the lube specialist had these antique machine in mind when they develop all the new products.
These young dudes have no idea what Babbitt bearings are.

 

[LVLAaron]

These young dudes have no idea what Babbitt bearings are.

I do!

 

[V35]

I do!

As do I, and my 19 year old kid! We have several antique tractors we restored with babbit bearings. And, I have an old belt drive Hendey Lathe I don't use anymore.

 

[Retired shooter]

Dont know as I know how to prep and pour, however I do have the Babbitt. Dads 94, physically couldnt, sure he remembers how, from the old days. Just dont ask him what he did yesterday.

Thanks

 

[urbanrifleman]

My Standard Modern uses 30 SAE mineral oil.

 

[Retired shooter]

Anything within an enclosed or wet type gear box will use that or a good synthetic oil.
My antique I will probably spray a good tacky motorcycle chain lube on the exposed gear system. Will use regular motor oil on the bearings, which are all tight. Also have a Atlas craftsman that gets the same lube.
Just keep the bed & ways clean and with a light coat of oil

It will get more lube now than its had in the last 109 years.

Now to finish clean, prime and paint

 

[butchlambert]

Hello all.!
Did not in any way mean to derail the OP thread looking for lathe type lube. My bad.

Ya think the lube specialist had these antique machine in mind when they develop all the new products.
These young dudes have no idea what Babbitt bearings are.

My 50 Chev had babbitt rod bearings. Dippers on the rod cap picked up the oil from nozzles.

 

[hoz53]

Picked up 2 south bend lathes the other day. A heavy 10 and a 13x7’. Both came from the same shop and are in great shape but looking in the manuals that came with them they call for oils that either aren’t made anymore or labeled as something else. I’m new to using a lathe so forgive me if this is a stupid question but what would be best for lubricant for them. I have been using a 90w gear oil but didn’t know if that’s what I should use or not. Maybe synthetic gear oil? Or should I use different oils for the spindle bearings, gear box and ways? What do you use?

are the spindles cam lock type or threaded or what?

 

[akajun]

The spindles on the plain bearing sb use velocite #10
For the ways and everything else vactra #2

 

[Walt Krafft]

Vactra #2 has been unobtanium the last few months.