[protrackcorp]

Please indicate petroleum or sythetic base and trade name if known.

[Dean W]

Well, it's been 24 hours since the poll started, and so far, it looks like only five of us use any oil at all.



Dean

[5artist5]

I use ATF. Not sure if it's synth. or not.

[RayGannon]

I use ATF. That's what the people who sold me the mill said to use and it seems tor do the job well enough.

[doanwannapickle]

Silly me, I've been using way oil.

[japroach]

mobil vactra, which says its petroleum based.

[philbur]

Don't know, what ever comes to hand, but usually from the drum that says "Way oil" on it.

Phil

[noisillator]

Onhy had my Taigs for a short while, but so far, ATF is working well.

[Dean W]

The head stock on my Taig lathe says "Lubricate lathe SAE 10W Motor Oil". That's from the people who make the lathe, so that's what I use on both the lathe and mill. In one of my older Taig factory documents, it says use ATF.
So, I guess if you pick one and stick with it, you'll be doing what the manufacturer recommends.

Dean

[Astroguy]

I use non detergent 30W mixed 60/40 with WD40.

[Speedygonzales]

transmission oil... thats what taig told me to use.

[MechanoMan]

I actually found ATF didn't work so well. It's so thin that when you run at high IPM, the leadscrew will sling it off. Plus it doesn't cling really well and the top of the leadscrew seems pretty dry to me.

I switch to 10W30 oil and I think it's better.

[chuck_hobby]

I've been using Hangsterfers #2 Way oil for 5 years of pretty good use, and it has been great. I use flood coolant a bunch so tend to renew/re-oil more than I truly need, but the coolant removes it over time, yada yada.

At my current rate of consumption, i estimate a 180-year supply from the gallon I bought from Enco. I use it for my 10x22 lathe also. YMMV.
Chuck

[dkp_design]

I've been using Fluid Film. They spray can. WOrks awesome. It's made from fish oils I belive, repels water well. I use a waterbased antifreze style coolant. My shop freezes when not in use

[the.sniper]

10w30 and WD40

[xaruum]

There are many variables involved in the decision ( in no particular order ):

Rapid speeds
Cleanliness of the work environment
Material being worked
Estimated run time
ambient temperature

I use "High Mileage" synthetic ATF, because of the high amount of detergents which help to carry away any particulates on the surfaces. I have to lube the ways and screws about every 3 hours ( using about 1/4 milliliter each ) because of the conditions of my shop.

In my makeshift shop, the average temp is 100f, the jobs run for several hours at a time, the materials are usually aluminum, steel, and delrin. The cuts are dry ( no flood cooling, just cutting fluid ) and I run a vacuum dust removal system. My mill can do 40ipm but I limit everything to 16ipm to keep centrifugal forces from relieving the leadscrews of their lube.

I only use about 1 quart of ATF every 6 months. It starts out red when applied and all of the way surfaces are very shiny, while the leadscrews are generally dark gray. I have a catch basin under the Mill, it always has several layers of ATF in it with the top most still being red and the bottom most being almost black from the fine dust it pulls away from the ways and leadscrews.

The ATF helps protect my mill in a satisfactory fashion.

[Odin]

Wow- I had no idea so many people just used automotive fluids for this (ATF, 10W30, etc).
I just disassembled the entire mill ways for cleaning, in prep for mounting a new bellows set I made, and it was already full of crud.
I wiped everything down and it's unoiled, and was just wondering what to reoil it with.

What was the thick red grease Taig packed on the Y axis leadscrew? The rest of the mill looks like it might have had graphite based grease.
I know I have some white lithium grease, but I have a feeling that wouldn't be good for this.

I'm going to run a mist coolant setup eventually, so what should I start using now on the leadscrews and ways? Any sugguestions?

[the.sniper]

Dont know what TAIG uses But They are great to talk with. give em a call.
As for the Mist coolant. I always wanted to use the Water based coolants.
but have several issues
1: I dont use my equipment frequently enough so rust could be a problem
2: Also from infrequent use the Coolant suffers from evaporation
3: I would have to predict the down time and do preventative storage maintenance
4: while in use I understand if you dont keep the correct balance of chemical to water right things suffer. (would need to purchase a refratometer)

Cons: the Wd40 / oil combo does make me worry at times just one wrong spark!
Perhaps one day I'll make the switch.