Oil for gearbox on Myford

[ron grimshawParticipant @rongrimshaw76129]

[ron grimshawParticipant @rongrimshaw76129]

I have just bought a S7 and when transporting it down a stepp garden path loss some oil from the gearbox, which oil should I use, would car gear oil be ok or have I to buy some MYford own brand.

[The Merry MillerParticipant @themerrymiller]

Ron,

In the gearbox manual of which I have a copy, it specifies S.A.E. 30 oil.

I use Castrol GTX 20/40 SAE.

Len.

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Ron

If you are new to this machine the gear box may catch you out a bit ( it did me!) The handbook says :-

" Before operating the lathe, remove the level plug (AT THE RIGHT HAND END OF THE BOX), and fill to just short of the plug level with Esso Febis K68 oil. Replenish the oil bath occasionally. At long intervals, flush with Esso Nuto H15, very thin oil and refill with febis K68"

What might catch you out ( it did me!) is that the plug in the right hand end of the box is the level ( and filler) plug not the one at front left which is just a plug which can be removed to allow screwdriver access through the box to a mounting screw. There is a rubber sealing washer where the box mounts to the machine and is, I suspect, the cause of the oil leak problems often reported. I know mine does leak a bit but my solution at present is just to top up occasionally!

Using another oil? Well, if you are going to, maybe flush it through first as detailed above. I bought a container of the recommended stuff and, despite occasional top ups from the slight leak, I've still got plenty left after 3 years

Hope you enjoy your S7 as much as I do.

Regards

Norman

[The Merry MillerParticipant @themerrymiller]

Ron,

Just to avoid any misunderstanding I attach a scan of the section in my gearbox manual, this manual is dated 1984 so there may be some discrepancies if Norman has a later manual.

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Hi Ron &Ron !

Yes that differs from my manual. There was no manual with my machine when I bought it S/H in 2010 so I bought one from Myford. I guess this is up to date but there is no issue number on it. It may well be that these oils are,in effect, the same. I'm sure the gearboxes are the same – I think my machine is early 80s vintage.

I've just had a look in the workshop at the oil I purchased from Myford when I got the lathe. it is marked:-

" Mobil VACTRA No. 2. formerly ESSO FEBIS K68"

So that's the best info I have!

Regards

Norman

[NJHParticipant @njh]

 

 

Edited By NJH on 19/12/2012 22:22:19

[LambtonParticipant @lambton]

The Myford gear box is only ever lightly stressed and runs at low temperatures compared with automotive systems like engines and gear boxes. So I do not think it is necessary to buy any high grade lubricants that contain a necessary cocktail of additives for arduous automotive applications. I buy straight SAE 30 grade oil for general workshop machinery applications from my local garden machinery supplier.

[ron grimshawParticipant @rongrimshaw76129]

Thanks all for all the info.

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