Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't a spindle oil (such as Mobil Velocite #6) be better for a live center than 80w gear oil? Gear oils are formulated to cling at low speed, and to wash particulates away. Spindle oil is made to keep a film at high rpm and float the bearing surfaces.
My metal lathe came with recommendations for three different oils:
- Gearbox: Mobil DTE Heavy/Medium or equivalent ISO Viscosity Grade 68 circulating oil.
- Ways: Mobil Vactra #2 or equivalent ISO VG 68 way oil.
- Spindle: Mobil Velocite #6 or equivalent ISO VG 10 spindle oil.
Note that motor oils are not equivalent, and that DTE (a circulating oil) is not equivalent to Vactra (a way oil). None of these are even close to 80w gear oil.
I use Warren Premuim Anti-Wear #68 Hydraulic Oil in the gearbox (because I couldn't find Mobil DTE H/M nearby at a reasonable price), Mobil Vactra #2 on the ways and leadscrew, and Velocite #6 on the spindle and in the other small oil ports. I bought the Vactra and Velocite in pint containers off eBay.
Because the live center bearings spin at high speed, I'd think spindle oil would be the best application match.
Regards,
Eric
I have found that most live centers contain a type of medium to light weight grease in the bearings from the factory, and as such it won't sling out excessively.
I believe a spindle oil would not stay in place as much as desired, and would migrate to the outside world rather quickly.
Spindle oil is, by nature, a lighter viscosity than gear oil.
A grease would be the preferred medium to replenish with of course, but for the common woodworker to force grease into the "sealed" type bearings is asking a bit much,
thus the recommendation of a commonly available lubricant form a common local store, at an inexpensive price. Spindle oil is also intended to splash and circulate, in a sealed to semi-sealed environment,
and in my experience in lubricating live centers, a light oil, especially in the front (point) end just will not stay in place, it works out rather quickly,
and usually starts a spray line on the lathe user.
So, with all due respect, I'll stick with my recommendation of the gear oil in the morse taper access hole, and have found in practice that it works quite well, migrating through most of the bearing assembly,
but not coming out the front end like the plague.
It also works well enough to rehab a seizing, squealing center if but for a time.
Regards,
John