Lead Screw Lubrication

J

J. Pendergraft

Guest
Excuse my ignorance. Does the lead screw on a lathe require lubrication and if so what do you use. My Clausing manual does not list the lead screw as a lubrication point. I have lubricated with oil in the past but that attracts chips, etc. which does not seem to be good for the half nut and the threading dial. Thanks
 
I just squirt a little way oil (Vactra#2) on it when It is going to be used for threading or heavy powerfeed. keeping it clean isnt hard, you can either use a piece of string or just crease a paper shop rag so it conforms to the thread and let the leadscrew do the work.

Sawyer
 
Yes, the lead screw does need light lubrication as well as the half-nut. Most all half-nuts are bronze but still need a light coat of good lube oil. Waylube oil is too heavy and can attract unwanted gunk.

A mixture of about 75% kerosene and 25% spindle oil will provide sufficient lubrication while offering a cleaning action on the screw and nut.

The lead screw on most lathes have lube points at the ends of the shaft.
 
Yes, the lead screw does need light lubrication as well as the half-nut. Most all half-nuts are bronze but still need a light coat of good lube oil. Waylube oil is too heavy and can attract unwanted gunk.

A mixture of about 75% kerosene and 25% spindle oil will provide sufficient lubrication while offering a cleaning action on the screw and nut.

The lead screw on most lathes have lube points at the ends of the shaft.

Thanks Jerry, As you know my leadscrew is used for threading and not powerfeed. How would the lube get distributed along the screw if just lubed at each end? Do you know if the Clausing halfnut is adjustable? It's hard to see behind the apron. My schematics show a gib but I'm unsure how it relates. Again Thanks, I appreciate you sharing your vast knowledge of machine tools.
 
what model?

hi
most Clausing lathes lub the lead srcew when you pump the oiler for the sadle if you look in the manuale for the appron assembly you should see the iol feed pipes
 
hi
most Clausing lathes lub the lead srcew when you pump the oiler for the sadle if you look in the manuale for the appron assembly you should see the iol feed pipes

It's a 8000 series 15 X 50. You are probably correct. My oiler on the saddle is not operational so I have to lube the ways manually.
 
use a drop of silde way oil , in oil can and apply it near the nut ,
but hte way my job is making lathe s for the campany that owen's Clausing and supplies most of there range
so i do know where thing like that are !
 
Last edited by a moderator:
dose it look like this or is it new'r

if it look's like this its a colcheaster made one
 

Attachments

  • untitled.bmp
    131.9 KB · Views: 313
Thanks Jerry, As you know my leadscrew is used for threading and not powerfeed. How would the lube get distributed along the screw if just lubed at each end? Do you know if the Clausing halfnut is adjustable? It's hard to see behind the apron. My schematics show a gib but I'm unsure how it relates. Again Thanks, I appreciate you sharing your vast knowledge of machine tools.
Joel, the lubing of the ends I mentioned applies to the bearing surfaces at each end of the shaft. Normally they have oil cups or such at the ends. I would manually lube the lead screw threads in the area that the half nut runs where you are threading.

Most half-nuts are not adjustable. When you engage the handle the nut normally pulls up as far as it is allowed by the thread of the lead screw. If your half nut has excessive play you will have to change the nut halves. However, it is not unusual for the engaged nut to have 0.025-0.050" freeplay if you try to move the saddle back and forth. As long as the nut pulls the saddle you should be fine.

Remember, most lead screws are 55 degree Acme threads with a very loose fit.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top