AW 68 and AW 32 oil for a lathe

[veek]

Hello all,
New member here. I am purchasing a new lathe and need to find non-detergent AW 68 hydraulic fluid for the headstock and gear box and non-detergent AW 32 for the apron. I can buy the (high priced) Mobil DTE oils or the equivalent Shell Tellus. I was also looking at oils from places like Napa Auto parts - eg: this one (https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NHF85705). However, I do not know if this is a detergent free oil or not.

What do folks recommend? I am looking at 5 gallons of the AW 68 and 1 gallon of the AW 32.
thanks
V

 

[eljefino]

I wound up getting mine at Tractor Supply. Pretty confident, that with its being cheap and without many certs, it's non-detergent.

 

[veek]

The AW 32?

 

[Nessism1]

I use Mobile DTE Lite in my lathe, which is a 32 weight recirculating oil. Not hydraulic oil, which is different.

Here is some cheap AW68 hydraulic oil. Just be sure the machine calls for this type of oil, and not recirculating oil.

https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Lubricants-68-Hydraulic-Oil/dp/B019R17IAC

 

[veek]

The lathe manual calls for an ISO 68 oil in the headstock and gear box. That's all. BTW the difference between the Mobil Named series (recirc oil) vs the numbered series is that the numbered series has more AW additives and is designed for higher pressures. All that I need to make sure of is that the candidate oil has the right weight and doesn't have detergents in it. I suspect that the Tractor Supply AW 32 is detergent free.

 

[BHopkins]

Where are you located, @veek? If you are in a rural area, it should be easy to find both at most any farm implement business.

I've bought Fram branded AW 32 from Car Quest, but only available by 5 gal. bucket. I've seen both at a tractor sales and service business here in town, and also at a local IFA feed and seed store. The feed and seed store had the AW 32 in 1 gal. jugs. The local Fleet Pride also carries AW 32, and if I recall correctly, also AW 68.

Fleet Pride has both brick and mortar stores and an online site. I have gotten the best service by calling the local Fleet Pride, and having them place an order for me. But perhaps that was just my local store.

 

[veek]

@BHopkins: I am in a pretty urban area. For now, I am going with the Shell Tellus 68. It isn't too awful for a 5 gallon bucket.

 

[veek]

Just to close the loop: I bought some Shell Tellus 68 for the gearbox. Should last me forever. For the apron, I got Starfire AW 32. I called the manufacturer to ask about detergent and sulfuration - both negative. For the ways, Mobil Vactra 2 - yes it does not contain the same level of tackifiers as the original Vactra 2 or the Vacuoline 1409, but should be sufficient for my needs.

 

[Foxtrot08]

Hello all,
New member here. I am purchasing a new lathe and need to find non-detergent AW 68 hydraulic fluid for the headstock and gear box and non-detergent AW 32 for the apron. I can buy the (high priced) Mobil DTE oils or the equivalent Shell Tellus. I was also looking at oils from places like Napa Auto parts - eg: this one (https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NHF85705). However, I do not know if this is a detergent free oil or not.

What do folks recommend? I am looking at 5 gallons of the AW 68 and 1 gallon of the AW 32.
thanks
V

AW’s have anti wear additives in them. Not detergents like automotive engine oils. They have primarily Zinc / ZDDP anti wear additive packages. And some R&O (rust and oxidation) protection packages.


If you need a non-detergent product, you need an R&O or a turbine product. This is different than an AW. In a lathe, it’s typically an R&O oil. You can find this at places that sell lubricants - such as your neighborhood lubricants distributor. Theres lots of us around. Or you can order an R&O 68 online, or a place like Napa may stock it for air compressors. Like a Non-detergent 20w would be equal to a ISO 68.


Tractor supply hydraulic fluid definitely has additives in it.

AW additives shouldn’t hurt anything in your application. But they’re generally not needed. As for the wayoil - hydraulic oils and way oils are different- as you mentioned tackifier. But if you’re not super worried about it, then it should be fine. It would just possibly smooth out the chatter on the surface finish. But it depends a lot on the machine.

 

[veek]

Thanks @Foxtrot08 : I was planning on getting the Vacuoline 1409 or the Shell Tonna 68 but they only sell them in 5 gallon pails. So my current plan is to use Vactra 2 on the ways and mix Vactra 2 and STP Oil Treatment 1:1 for the vertical ways of the mill since the oil treatment does have tackifiers and comes in moderate sized bottles.

That is my commando plan, at least for the ways.

 

[Foxtrot08]

Thanks @Foxtrot08 : I was planning on getting the Vacuoline 1409 or the Shell Tonna 68 but they only sell them in 5 gallon pails. So my current plan is to use Vactra 2 on the ways and mix Vactra 2 and STP Oil Treatment 1:1 for the vertical ways of the mill since the oil treatment does have tackifiers and comes in moderate sized bottles.

That is my commando plan, at least for the ways.

Yeah, you could use something like that or Lucas Oil stabilizer. As it has tackifiers in it.

I mean it’s really a simple product. I don’t overthink it too much unless you get a lot of bed chatter. In which case then I’d just buy a bucket of way oil.

Small quantities are hard for distributors lol.

 

[veek]

Indeed, I've probably thought more about oil than I ever would have imagined. About a month ago, I'd have laughed at the idea of joining an oil forum, yet here I am .

 

[veek]

@Foxtrot08 : Do you use the Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer? Seems a bit cheaper than STP.

 

[Foxtrot08]

@Foxtrot08 : Do you use the Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer? Seems a bit cheaper than STP.

No, I would use real wayoil. (As, I sell a lot of industrial oils.)


Just speaking from the “tacky” perspective, the Lucas would be close. Being essentially a 50w, it would also increase the viscosity to probably like a 32/46. And stick a bit.

 

[veek]

Yeah @Foxtrot08 , I don't want to get rid of the Vactra 2, so I was responding to your suggestion about the Lucas.

 

[Foxtrot08]

I don’t particularly like any of the oil stabilizers, and I’m in the camp that a good oil doesn’t need an additive in it. But, the Lucas heavy duty stabilizer would probably make a good once through fluid for a bar and chain application… or something like a sliding bed way lubricant.

… just don’t put it in an engine.

 

[veek]

. My plan is to use Vactra 2 on the horizontal ways and the commando lube on the vertical ways of the mill. To channel my inner Bart Simpson: "I will not drink Lucas Stabilizer", "I will not put Lucas Oil Stabilizer in my car",.....