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Oil for plain bearings

Former Community Member over 3 years ago

Hello all. I am looking for some advice on oil for sintered bronze bearings in an old motor(1/2hp). The manufacturer's plate says to add 15 drops of non-detergent SAE 20 oil every year. On a plain bearing with no force-feed lubrication, is detergent(motor) oil going to harm the bearings/journal? The only comment I have found online other than do/do not use, is that the detergents may dissolve the insulation on the windings. Another comment was that if put in a gear box, detergent oil will foam. I had a friend who used GTX20W50 in his car gearbox without any issues. I have a bench grinder with a worm drive for a wet wheel. I put a clear cover on the drive and put gearbox oil in. It foams away merrily!!

I understand most forums are run by self -styled experts( e.g. bobistheoilguy)who have little to no actual knowledge.

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0 Former Community Member over 3 years ago

I got the Southbend from a friend for $450. I had been looking at some of the Chinese lathes. The problem here is that we do not have the option to purchase a metric version, only the 'sort-of-imperial' models. And the SB was cheaper. The bed is pretty worn but the spindle bearings are fine. I put new wicks in the spindle bearings and felts in the apron. I tried a new leather belt but am now using a spliced serpentine belt. It is much better than leather. much less tension needed and much less slip. Eventually I will put on an endless serpentine.

Old lathes and mills are quite affordable here. The curse is moving them. 1500kg of 60 year old iron costs the same to move as 1 year old iron!

Now to develop something simple to produce in my dotage to keep the wolf from the door - no pensions in private sector USA.

Your odd size bearings may still be available here in the US. If you need a set give me a shout.

I still find it hard to believe that a UK or US company cannot use Far Eastern castings to make a decent lathe as alternative to the 'all-Chinese' offerings. I am surprised India has not started to compete in this market.
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0 Former Community Member over 3 years ago

I got the Southbend from a friend for $450. I had been looking at some of the Chinese lathes. The problem here is that we do not have the option to purchase a metric version, only the 'sort-of-imperial' models. And the SB was cheaper. The bed is pretty worn but the spindle bearings are fine. I put new wicks in the spindle bearings and felts in the apron. I tried a new leather belt but am now using a spliced serpentine belt. It is much better than leather. much less tension needed and much less slip. Eventually I will put on an endless serpentine.

Old lathes and mills are quite affordable here. The curse is moving them. 1500kg of 60 year old iron costs the same to move as 1 year old iron!

Now to develop something simple to produce in my dotage to keep the wolf from the door - no pensions in private sector USA.

Your odd size bearings may still be available here in the US. If you need a set give me a shout.

I still find it hard to believe that a UK or US company cannot use Far Eastern castings to make a decent lathe as alternative to the 'all-Chinese' offerings. I am surprised India has not started to compete in this market.
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Oil for plain bearings

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