Yes. Crudely the slideway oil will be optimised more for low speed work and be relatively tacky so it stays in place on the way rather than run off whilst the hydraulic oil will be optimised to flow well without foaming and to tolerate relatively higher temperatures without its properties changing too much.

For lathe work an ISO 68 specified for combined slide way / bearing duties is probably a good choice. I use Castrol Magna BD 68 which has plenty of tack for staying on slideways without the near glue properties of pure way oils which can rather overwhem small machines. Its bearing properties are more suited to the lower speed ranges so its a good match for apron plain bearings etc. Wonderful oil can oil too for hinges, squeaky doors and the other Honey Doo (it now) jobs as it hangs around for ages. Takes a bit more work to get it in tho' but worth it.

ISO 32 and lighter hydraulic type oils are very suitable for many lathe headstocks and similar machine tool light oil call outs. We aren't interested in the anti foam properies but the anti wear additives are worth having and higher temeprature stability translates to very long life and verily little varnishing deposits in near room temperature applications like machine tools. Again best to go for one with dual hydraulic / bearing use specification. I use Castrol Hyspin AWS 32. There are high end hydraulic only oils which really aren't suitable as being intended for demanding applications, usually high speed and high temperatures, with corresponding price tags.

I went for the Castol oils mainly because they were easy got mail order via RS Components around 15 years back and I've seen no reason to change. Industrial oils of this type are much easier to get in small quantities now tho'.

Clive

Edited By Clive Foster on 04/10/2014 12:24:57