PM-1660TL

[erikmannie]

I followed what this guy did in this video:

 

[erikmannie]

Here are some screenshots from that video:

 

[matthewsx]

I got this stuff from Tractor Supply, $30 for 5 gal.

VP Racing Fuels J20A Plus Utility Tractor Fluid 5 gal., VP2040014 at Tractor Supply Co.

Buy Great Customer Service VP Racing Fuels J20A Plus Utility Tractor Fluid 5 gal., VP2040014 in the Hydraulic Fluids category at Tractor Su

www.tractorsupply.com

Back in my engine building days there were always big arguments about which oil was best, I told my customers to make sure they had the right amount of oil in the engine and change it frequently. I always broke them in on the dyno with conventional 50wt so there wouldn't be any question of compatibility. Those little 4 stroke kart engines had about a zillion times more stress on them than a hobby lathe and I saw very few oil related failures.

John

 

[matthewsx]

BTW, happy to hear your machine is on the way, can't wait to see pics.

John

 

[Ianagos]

For the oil someone above mentioned “tractor oil” well I buy iso32 and iso46 grade oil from Walmart online. Free shipping in 2 days and i paid $30 for each 5 gal bucket. I believe they have iso 68 aswell. Sinopec is the brand made in Singapore. Seems to be good stuff definitely seems a lot clearer than the “tractor oil” we used to buy for our skid steer and equipment and it costs less.

Vactra #2 I get for $99 for 5 gallons shipped from msc for free. Just have to look in their sales flyers. I have an automatic discount on my account but if you just use the coupon codes you’ll get the same price but it has to be the item from their online catalog. If you just search on their website the price is higher: I have no clue why I guess they just want you to browse the catalogue.

McMaster has is for $28 a gallon and I think msc is about that price aswell. I just get free shipping through msc. If I don’t want to pay shipping at McMaster I have to make the hour drive. I do love McMaster though and their shipping rates are always super reasonable and I get stuff next day.

 

[matthewsx]

The tractor oil I bought is SAE 20 wt, which is equivalent to ISO 68 which is what Vactra #2 is as well. I used to sell VP Racing Fuel (both gasoline and methanol) so it's a brand I already trust. Not sure about other "tractor oils" but this stuff is pretty darn clean. Of course if you have a brand new machine and want to go with the manufacturers recommendations then by all means do so. But I don't think there's anything magic about Mobil branded products. They're just really good at marketing, heck they even have their logo printed on the oil fill cap of my Cadillac

It'll be plenty good enough for my Chinese lathe and since it's designed for old tractors it won't eat any bronze that happens to be in there either.

John

 

[ddickey]

I will never use Vactra #2 again after using Vacuoline 1409 (iSO 68). I'm sure the heavy medium will be fine for way oil.

 

[mksj]

I agree with ddicky, evidently Vacuoline 1400 series is formulated more akin to the old Vactra #2 with a higher amounts of tackifiers which makes it stick to the ways longer. It is also rated for gearboxes/hydraulic systems, along with sliding surfaces. With the 1409 you can feel the tailstock float on the oil when moving it, the standard Vactra#2 you could feel more resistance after you slid the tailstock a few times. On the ERL/RML/TRL series the way oil is pumped from the carriage to the ways. Bottom line just about any ISO68 oil will work, I just would pump the way oiler a bit more frequently using plain gear oil. Wear will not be an issue under the type of use a hobbyist will subject the machine to. The 1409 also worked well for open Norton style gearboxes. It is sold from oil distributors, the smallest stock size is 5 gallons, I picked up mine from a local oil distributor.

 

[erikmannie]

The rigging crew brought the lathe this morning. Below are some pictures. I haven’t really gotten into it yet because there was a lot of packaging, and I am doing a dump run.

My nosy neighbor rained on my parade by standing in his yard videotaping the whole delivery. This has nothing to do with him, and I wish that he would mind his own beeswax. I have no idea what he thinks he can do with a video of his neighbor getting a machine delivered.

 

[erikmannie]

Here it is in it’s place. I left a full 14 1/2” between the lathe and the inside of the garage door because I anticipate having to build a soundproof wall (100% due to my nosy & complaining neighbor).