Lubrication recommendations for BP style mill

[Jookoo]

I'm trying to get my head around the lubrication needs of my machines and I think I've done too much research and gotten myself confused

I have a BP style mill made by Argo model 5VHL (MY 2013). It call for Mobil heavy medium for the quill and vactra 2 for the one shot oiler to the ways.

The quill is sticking somewhat so I was wondering if Velocite 6 would be a better choice (velocite 10 seems to be hard to source here)?

I am also trying to see if I can use the same oils for my lathe and t&c grinder.
lathe calls for DTE light for headstock and apron but I was wondering would normal ISO 32 be fine for the headstock and vactra 2 for the apron since it oils the ways also?
For feed gearbox the manual calls for DTE heavy so would ISO 100 hydraulic be fine?

Is vactra 2 safe for bronze?

My T&C grinder call for shell vitrea -37, it oils the ways for that machine so I was wondering if I could use the vactra 2 for that also?

 

[4GSR]

I use two different oils for both my mills and lathes.
ISO 46 for general lubrication and way oil for the ways, no specific grade. Probably Vatra 2 or equivalent. Apron on the lathe, use Vatra 2 if it also lubes the way. If like mine, does not lube the ways, ISO 46 or 68. Quill on the mill ISO 46, thicker oils will cause it to bind and create other problems. ISO 46 for the spindle bearings on Bridgeport unless the bearings were pre-greased, which I don't recommend. Don't over think here, keep things simple. You can always adjust oil types down the road if needed.

 

[Jookoo]

I have been using ISO32 on the quill and the sticking seems to get worse so that's why I was thinking about using velocite 6 for it.

I'm not sure if there are any bronze bushings on the lathe apron so I was wondering if there are is vactra 2 safe to use?

 

[Donkey Hotey]

So that you understand why the spindle lube points are different: the oil cups up at the top of the head drain down to a felt mat at the top of the spindle. You want that mat to be oily and to occasionally drip some oil down to the bearings. What you specifically do not want is to gum that up, with oil that is too heavy to drip and ends up plugging the felt. So lightweight DTE oil would be correct for the upper bearings lube points.

 

[4GSR]

Om my mill, an Index 645, I stroke the quill down to most of its travel. Take my oil can and squirt some oil on top of the quill through the opening on front of the mill head. That's usually all it takes and will last a few days If I run the mill daily. It's been many years since I've run a Bridgeport, but it seems like I used to do the same on it, too when the quill got tight. The Gorton mills we had at my dad's shop you just made sure the drip lubricator stayed filled with oil and remember to drop the needle at the end of the day. If you didn't, you came in the next morning with a pool of oil on the vise and table.