General oiling, detergent or non-detergent oil

[Bill D]

For general oiling using a pump oil can does it make any difference if the oil is detergent or non-detergent. This is for low speed stuff like the lead screw tailstock end bearing. I doubt the temeprature is high enough for any detergent action to occur. The new oil would probably wash out any sludge anyway. Will detergent oil run off faster?
Bill D

 

[Conrad Hoffman]

I always advise against using motor oil for non-motor applications, but in this case I think any oil would work.

 

[MrStretch]

Motor oils are designed to be hydrophilic to prevent internal rusting. The absorbed water is then expelled thru the crankcase ventilation when the oil heats up. I agree with Conrad. Why not use slide or spindle oil?

 

[Big B]

I use light spindle oil for things like that.

 

[Joe Gwinn]

What I use for most ordinary household oiling (like door hinges) is Vactra #2 way oil.

What I use for oilite motor bearings (as in box fans) is ISO 22 spindle oil, typically Mobile DTE.

 

[edwin dirnbeck]

For general oiling using a pump oil can does it make any difference if the oil is detergent or non-detergent. This is for low speed stuff like the lead screw tailstock end bearing. I doubt the temeprature is high enough for any detergent action to occur. The new oil would probably wash out any sludge anyway. Will detergent oil run off faster?
Bill D

Okay, here is what USUALLY happens. While you are thinking about getting the right oil,spindle oil? hi speed? low speed? ball bearing ? Plain bearing, Will the oil disolve the tin ,bronze? Your air conditioner blows up ,andnothing gets oiled for the rest of the year. In other words ,any oil is good oil.

 

[Bill D]

I like the idea of full syntehtic motor oil for this general use. My theory is it will not dry out and make a greasy mess. Silicone oil has no vapor pressure so it never dries out. I no longer have any vaccum pump oil which had a very low vapor pressure, obviously.
Bill D

 

[dian]

bill, are you chosing between some specific oils?

 

[DDoug]

For general oiling using a pump oil can does it make any difference if the oil is detergent or non-detergent. This is for low speed stuff like the lead screw tailstock end bearing. I doubt the temeprature is high enough for any detergent action to occur. The new oil would probably wash out any sludge anyway. Will detergent oil run off faster?
Bill D

"Extra Virgin"...Olive oil.

 

[kenton]

"Extra Virgin"...Olive oil.

Never had sex, Twice

 

[David_M]

 

[wood2steel]

Bill;
There are Mechanics Oil's and there are Machinist Oil's. Don't ever mix the 2!!

 

[Just a Sparky]

Mobil DTE 24, 25 or 26. ISO 32, 46, 68 respectively. High performance hydraulic oil with EP and anti-wear additives. Good moisture tolerance, anti-corrosion properties and copper compatibility. An excellent general purpose machine oil.

 

[M.B. Naegle]

In my experience, detergent oils will leave a gummy residue behind from the detergent when there's no heat in the system. The detergent aspect of it is that they are designed to hold onto debris in a circulating environment so they can be filtered out via an inline filter. In a total loss system, it just isn't necessary. I agree any oil is better than nothing, but ND oil is often cheaper (just not always available at your local auto-store franchise of choice).

IMO, there's room for speculation if all the different additives and "high tech" stuff really does anything necessary, but I still like to stick with the OEM recommended weights and types of oil (spindle oil in spindles, way oil on ways, heavy oils in big slow stuff, light oil in small quick stuff, etc. etc. etc.)

 

[Just a Sparky]

Mobil Velocite for spindles, DTE for general lubrication, Vactra for slideways.

As for the high tech additives, it depends on your application as to whether or not you will see any benefit. If you're dealing with red metal parts for instance, there are definitely some oils to avoid as they will actually attack the copper in the alloy. Eureka's Fluid Film, for instance. Ask me how I know. Same logic applies to rolling element bearings, slideways, etc. For instance, would never use hydraulic oil on a slideway, or conversely a slideway oil in a rolling element bearing.

Specific additives for specific tasks... general additives for general tasks.

 

[Bobw]

I thought we were just supposed to use bar oil for everything..

/S

Though I did run out of bar oil one time and tossed in some Vactra.. The chainsaw didn't complain.

 

[tdmidget]

Mobil DTE 24, 25 or 26. ISO 32, 46, 68 respectively. High performance hydraulic oil with EP and anti-wear additives. Good moisture tolerance, anti-corrosion properties and copper compatibility. An excellent general purpose machine oil.

Where did you get that about EP additives? Nowhere does Exxon Mobil claim that. Surprisingly they are adding zinc dithiodiphosphate family additives. This actually removes it from turbine use by most users. Turbine oils must shed water rapidly and the ZDDP carries it just about forever without enough heat to drive it out.

 

[Just a Sparky]

Ah, you're right. I misremembered.

 

[AHS]

For general oiling using a pump oil can does it make any difference if the oil is detergent or non-detergent.

You could go really wild, since it is for general use, and use transmission fluid!

 

[tdmidget]

You could go really wild, since it is for general use, and use transmission fluid!

What would that accomplish?