Lathe grease gun advice

Tanshanomi

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I have had a Grizzly South Bend 8K for a while now, and I have yet to find a decent procedure for lubing it. I have no problem oiling the spindle bearings, but greasing the other zerks is a royal bumblecluster. The cheap, plastic push-feed grease applicator I got with the lathe was lousy when new, quickly become absolutely useless, and eventually went in the trash. I've tried two different pump guns, but they have the bigger, automotive-style locking tips that are a supreme hassle to attach. Furthermore, they grip the zerks so firmly that while trying to remove it from the right-side leadscrew bushing, I accidentally pulled the fitting completely out of the housing. I frankly spend as much of my time greasing the gears and shafts and then cleaning excess grease off the lathe, my bench, the gun, and my hands as I do cutting metal. Does anybody have any recommendations to streamline greasing and oiling my lathe? How do all you other people do this?
 
I don't grease any part of my lathe (g0602) except the spindle bearings. Everything is oiled with either an iso32 hydraulic oil or mobil shc320 for the gearbox.
Just because your machine has zerks doesn't mean you must put grease in them.
I'm not familiar with your machine, but does the manual state grease?
There are small one handed pumps made specifically for oil or grease that used to be used for this job.
This is what I use, the little handpump also works on grease nipples without latching on.

Oiler and greaser.jpg
 
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I'll second: Are there that many grease zerks on this lathe? They do make the quick release tips that help a lot. I know when you get the tip angled off a little it presents a challenge pulling the grease gun free.
 
The outside collar on a grease gun coupler is usually adjustable by screwing it in and out to change how tightly it grips the grease fitting.
 
Per the manual: "Spindle Bearings - Oil Type Mobil DTE Light or ISO 32 Equivalent" / "Gears - Grease Type NLGI#2"
"There are 10 grease fittings on the Model SB1001that require daily lubrication with the included grease gun."
 
If that's what the manual specifies then so be it. I hate using grease on a lathe, it creates more work for me and collects a lot of swarf and crud.
Also it has a higher friction factor than if straight oil is used. Just my preference.
 
Per the manual: "Spindle Bearings - Oil Type Mobil DTE Light or ISO 32 Equivalent" / "Gears - Grease Type NLGI#2"
"There are 10 grease fittings on the Model SB1001that require daily lubrication with the included grease gun."
NLGI2 grease works great for lathe gears. First, clean up the gears. Get yourself an old toothbrush, dip it lightly in the grease, and dab it lightly only on the curved parts of the teeth that actually touch each other. That is the only part that needs to be lubed. Spin them around so the grease gets distributed evenly, and then wipe off all the grease on the faces of the gears and the excess on the tips of the teeth. You should only have a light wet film on the rubbing parts of the teeth, and nothing else. You are now done. It will not make a mess, and it will last a long time. So will your container of grease. The inside of the gear cover will stay clean. If you do not have a gear cover, then do not lube them at all, or, better yet, make or procure a cover!
 
I have this fitting and I love it.

https://www.amazon.com/LockNLube-Gr...91617992&sr=1-1&keywords=quick+grease+fitting

71F5PDSO-zL._SL1500_.jpg


I have this gun that I also like.

6185mg7PFxL._SL1500_.jpg


R
 
As far as I know , no lathe uses grease on the ways or shaft bearings. The push pump oil and grease type can be found in metal , there used in small engines, chainsaw bars specifically. They have a round thumb button. The fitting can be reused from the plastic pump model. I'd be very Leary of ever buying a lathe with grease on the ways or shafts. The only grease used on the gears only. If your gears are coated with a tacky grease it will last for months if not fouled with chips or cutting fluids.
 
Just to clarify, here's the manual page showing the grease locations I'm talking about — not leadscrew threads, ways, spindle bearings or gear teeth.

SB1001-greasefittings.jpg
 
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