Lubrication advice for Schaublin 70 and 102 lathes

The old lubrication chart from the 1950s and 1960s shows a range of different manufacturer's
oils can be used. Among those still available today Shell Vitrea 32 (formerly Vitrea 27) (which
is a moderate load oil designed for rolling elements and light gearboxes - essentially a
machine tool oil) is probably the most readily available. The ‘32’ of ‘Vitrea 32’ refers to the ISO
viscosity. This oil and its equivalents are shown in the chart as used for the whole machine
including the headstock (plain or roller).

The later lubrication chart from the late 60s/70s shows Tellus 15 for the headstock with plain
or roller bearings and Vitrea 32 for the roller bearing spindle if used in the high-speed ranges.
Tellus oils are straight hydraulics. The modern equivalent of Tellus 15 is Tellus 10 which
again refers to its ISO viscosity number.

Personally, I always use a straight hydraulic ISO 32 for everything. The later lube chart shows
ISO 68 slideway oils for the carriage and sliding parts and also for the speed reduction
gearbox. I really dislike the feel of slideway oil on the carriage.

You will not do any damage to your machine by using the either Vitrea 32, Tellus 10 or a
straight hydraulic between ISO 10 and 32 in the spindle bearings whether it's a plain bearing
or a roller.

Take care not over-lubricate roller bearings as this will cause excessive heat due to
turbulence, leading to damage. A good guide is probably one shot of oil for every 8 hours of
continuous use. For most of us this will mean one shot a month!

Obviously, you should never use grease on roller or plain bearings. The later AC type bearing
headstock (identifiable by its lack of oil nipples) is lubricated with Kluber Isoflex LDS 18
special A grease - a lithium/mineral oil bearing grease replaced about every 5 years in an
industrial environment - which means it should last forever in a hobbyists or clockmakers
workshop.

If the Kluber product is difficult to obtain an excellent alternative is SKFs own LGMT2 which is
an excellent general purpose machine tool bearing lithium/mineral oil grease. If switching to
the SKF grease the bearing should be completely washed-out before applying the LGMT2 in
case of incompatibility with the Kluber product.

Dr David Samways PhD.

October 2011

Anglo-Swiss Tools
Ipswich UK
01473 253232
http://www.anglo-swiss-tools.co.uk

UK agents for Schaublin, GEPY, Tripan, Maprox etc.