Lubrication for Mills Leadscrew???

[Kroll]

Guys I am putting the mill back together that I took apart clean it up and did some painting.On the leadscrews and thrust bearings what lub should a person be using?I do have some good white gease,open gear grease and some liquid graphite in a spray can so does any of this apply?Thanks---kroll

 

[tertiaryjim]

You didn't mention what type of screws you have.
Looking at the pics, they seem to be the old standard threaded style.
I wouldn't use grease at all. It retains dirt and makes lapping compound.
Use a way oil or a 68 wt oil of good quality.
If nothing else, try 30 wt motor oil but not grease.

 

[12bolts]

Plus 1 for the oil. Does your mill have a 1 shot oiler? Possibly it feeds to the leadscrews and bearings, or each time you use the mill apply a squirt where required. When I had my mill stripped down I drilled some extra oil holes in the bearing housings to make it easier to oil the thrust bearings and lead nuts.

cheers Phil

 

[Terrywerm]

Yup, like the others said, oil is the way to go! Grease will just make problems.

My one son decided to help me out with my Logan lathe shortly after I got it, and he applied some grease to the lead screw using a rag. It was a light coating, but it still held little metal chips. I finally cleaned the entire lead screw with degreaser, then oiled it lightly with 30 wt non-detergent motor oil (that which is recommended by Logan) and things are good again. Way oil would also work, but is a bit thicker than motor oil.

 

[Kroll]

Thanks guys,oil it is----kroll