New Lathe on the way!

[jareese]

Hello - I'm quite new here, and very new to machining. This will mostly be for hobby and, for now, self gunsmithing (after lots of practice!)

I've just ordered an Eisen 1440EV this morning, and I'm looking for headstock, apron and ways oils. What are some of the better ones, and which ones should I steer clear of? Not trying to break the bank, the lathe almost did that, but I don't want to cheap out and use sub-par products either.

Thanks much

**Edit

Thanks everyone for all the advice, it IS my intention to fully read the manual, I may several times as well as I like to know my things inside and out - I do not have the machine yet, I was trying to Pre-Empt some things as I have been for cutting tools, accessories, etc. one of which being the oils and lubricants needed so I can get the machine setup if it does not come with any already in, plus I'll need to change it after proper break in anyway.

 

[Chipper5783]

Congratulations on the new lathe. Pictures when it arrives. What oil? Is a common question here. You should be able to get a manual - follow the OEM instructions. That said, it will likely be way oil on the ways (not trying to be a smart ass, but several manufacturers provide lubricant for this application): Shell Tonis, Mobil Vactra, . . . . The main gear box likely an R&O circulating oil (hydraulic oil is okay, perhaps has additives you don’t need, but not a problem) in ISO 32 - all the way up to ISO 100. I have several machines and the OEMs specify different weight oil in what looks to me like a very similar application - whatever, if I have the manual I try to follow their recommendation. Of course, other approaches will work, but so does the manufacture’s recommendation.

Pictures, pictures and the story of what you hope to do, first big project, etc.

 

[jareese]

Thank you! I will definitely be going through the manual, probably several times, I like to know everything about my things.

It will be a bit yet before chips are flying, I'm hoping to have the space in my garage completed BEFORE it gets here, I've let them know they can take a few weeks because of this. Need to get it cleaned out, partition wall up, wired, AC/Heat.... Man.. Lots to do!

 

[Aukai]

I do not have a Mobil dealer here, so I crossed to Chevron way oil Vistac 68, and DTE 26 HD to Chevron Rando HD 68. As Chipper said stay close to the OEM recommendations. The Vactra from what I have read here is not as tacky as it used to be, this Chevron oil is very tacky. And congratulations on a very nice looking lathe.

 

[mac1911]

Theres so many recommendations out there.
Maybe see what your machine “calls for”

Anyway the only profession machinist I know is my friends dad.
Hes now 81

He told me for a hobby/no production set up “almost” any oil will do.
He did say way oil is to sticky and nasty for home use.

Maybe some can confirm what he told me

non detergent and rust prohibitors
Im no particular order and with out the excessive cost of labeled “way oil”
Chainsaw bar oil
Straight 30wt non detergent
Hydraulic fluid
He said all these will serve you just fine.

What he did say is stay away from motor oil with detergents and additives. These oils keep particles in suspension to get to the filter and some detergents/additives can contribute to corrosion

So I have a boat load of BAR oil and seems to work well on the ways and I use the lighter hydraulic oil for the buttons on the dials

The gear box got what the manual said 30wt non detergent

 

[mac1911]

Hello - I'm quite new here, and very new to machining. This will mostly be for hobby and, for now, self gunsmithing (after lots of practice!)

I've just ordered an Eisen 1440EV this morning, and I'm looking for headstock, apron and ways oils. What are some of the better ones, and which ones should I steer clear of? Not trying to break the bank, the lathe almost did that, but I don't want to cheap out and use sub-par products either.

Thanks much

Nice set up for hobby use,
Take a lot of smithing to make up that cost. Lol
Love to have something that nice.
Im a low budget used equipment type. I wish I had a decent shop. Im going to do my first smithing job on one of my old 22s

 

[Janderso]

Hello - I'm quite new here, and very new to machining. This will mostly be for hobby and, for now, self gunsmithing (after lots of practice!)

I've just ordered an Eisen 1440EV this morning, and I'm looking for headstock, apron and ways oils. What are some of the better ones, and which ones should I steer clear of? Not trying to break the bank, the lathe almost did that, but I don't want to cheap out and use sub-par products either.

Thanks much

That’s a great choice. It’s 2,300 pounds. Good solid lathe, good size with metric and imperial threading, all the bells and whistles.
Did you get the dro? I want one.
I have a 15x50 which is on the bigger size but I know it well and love it.

Welcome mate.

 

[mksj]

Please read the manual/and or speak to Eisen if you want to verify things like oils and settings. I would not use bar oil, any motor oil, mutli-grade oil, any detergent oil or any oil used in cars like gearbox/differntial oil, any oil with extreme pressure additives, etc. Use machine gear oil, these typically will have anti-foaming and anti corrosion/rust inhibitors. Splash lubrication in machines relies on the oils being splashed/pulled up by the gears and running in channels to bearings/gears. Too high an oil viscosity increases drag and may compromise oil flowing to the bearings. You will find that most manual lathe manufactures in the size lathe will use an ISO32 gear oil in the headstock, and ISO68 gear oil in the gearbox/carriage and way oil for the sliding surfaces. Some way oils are also suitable for gearboxes so can serve as dual use. In my lathe the carriage also has a pump gallery to the ways so the same oil is used for both. Way oil has tachifiers that help it stick and also provide a film thickness, but you do not want to use things like chainsaw oil which is too sticky and will trap grit and metal particles which will not be displaced by the wipers. Getting the right balance is the reason why one uses way oil that is designed for the type of sliding surface.

Mobil, is the standard current "named oil" used, but manufactures state or equivalent so Shell, Chevron/Standard, Exxon, etc. all have "gear oil" and "way oil". With regard to gear oil, you will also see hydraulic oil of the same ISO used interchangeably, in most cases the hydraulic oil is also listed for use with straight cut gears and they both can be used. There are some difference between the two with regard to how they deal with moisture and the additive package, if you change your oil regularly it should not make any difference which you use.

Headstock almost always uses an ISO 32 oil, Mobile DTE 24, Mobil DTE light
Gearbox and Carriage use an ISO 68 oil, Mobile DTE 26, Mobile DTE heavy/medium, way oils specified for use with gears
Ways/Sliding Horizontal Surfaces use an ISO 68 with Tachifiers - Mobile Vactra #2, Mobil Vacuoline 1409 (this is also rated for gears and can be used in the gearbox and carriage)

Given that you headstock probably takes a gallon or less, and the carriage/gearbox half a gallon, it probably just pays to get 1 gallon jugs if you can find it at a reasonable price, otherwise a 5 gallon pale. Oils I use are below, I did find that the Vacuoline 1409 worked better (lasted longer and less sliding resistance) than Vactra #2, and it is also rated for low speed gears. I was able to pick it up locally at an oil distributor, so saved on shipping. Other oil manufactures can also be used, there are many equivalent alternatives.

Headstock

Miles Lubricants 5 gal Rust and Oxidation Oil Pail 32 ISO Viscosity, 10W SAE, Amber M0010020103 | Zoro

Order Miles Lubricants 5 gal Rust and Oxidation Oil Pail 32 ISO Viscosity, 10W SAE, Amber, M0010020103 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

Gearbox, carriage and ways

Mobil Vacuoline 1409 | 5 Gallon Pail

Petroleum Service Company offers lubricants for industrial, manufacturing, automotive, fleet and aviation applications, as well as greases, race fuels, coatings, fuel additives, and more.

petroleumservicecompany.com

 

[pontiac428]

Your friend's dad wasn't wrong, but any available oil might not be a good choice for your brand new expensive machine. That machine represents your own time, work, savings, and effort. So don't deviate from the manufacturer's lubrication schedule based on that; protecting your investment is reason enough.

And anyone who thinks bar oil is similar to way oil has probably never touched either one, that's like comparing krazy glue to chocolate syrup.

 

[jareese]

That’s a great choice. It’s 2,300 pounds. Good solid lathe, good size with metric and imperial threading, all the bells and whistles.
Did you get the dro? I want one.
I have a 15x50 which is on the bigger size but I know it well and love it.

Welcome mate.

I did get it with the DRO. Lots of thinking on this one, was looking at a used PM (Chinese one) but got turned off of it with several comments here on the forum, and he sent me a video of it running - I heard some "ticking" that I didn't like - knowing he replaced the spindle bearings after a couple few years, my gut started telling me it wasn't a good idea. (Along with several here as stated)
Anyhoo - Huge investment for sure, especially for what I'm going to use it for, but I shouldn't ever have to worry about needing a larger or more study lathe for anything I'm going to do.