Oil Equivalent to Velvus Three

[Abratool]

Looking for advice, on the correct oil to use in my Churchill Surface Grinder main spindle bearings.
The grinder is about 70 yrs old, & the recommendation on the original plate on the machine Is to use Velvus Three Oil.
Anyone know what the equivalent to this oil would be?
regards
Bruce

[Ueee]

Bruce,
I don't know if you googled it but i came up with this link.
Junk Yard Find - Practical Machinist - Largest Manufacturing Technology Forum on the Web (http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/cincinnati-milacron-kearney-trecker-vn-usa-heavy-iron/junk-yard-find-185614/) Try post #13. Now there's some nice big old grinders....:U

Ewan

[Abratool]

Bruce,
I don't know if you googled it but i came up with this link.
Junk Yard Find - Practical Machinist - Largest Manufacturing Technology Forum on the Web (http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/cincinnati-milacron-kearney-trecker-vn-usa-heavy-iron/junk-yard-find-185614/) Try post #13. Now there's some nice big old grinders....:U

Ewan
Thanks for that, however I have already read that full report & it does not give any assistance as to the equivalent.
regards
Bruce

[kwijibo99]

G'day Bruce,
I have a vague recollection that Velvus was an Atlantic Oil Co company product.
They were bought out by Esso then Mobil so perhaps Mobil Vactra oils might be an equivalent.
I did a quick lookup for Vactra 3 and came up with this link.

Mobil Vactra Oil Numbered Series (http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENINDMOMobil_Vactra_Oil_Numbered_Series.aspx)

Might help.
Cheers,
Greg.

[Greg Q]

In that PM thread the description of Velus 3 is that it was " almost like water" i bought some Shell light spindle oil last year...Molina 10, and it is very watery. It was supposed to be a direct repalcement for a light Velocite spindle oil.

Greg

[Michael G]

Phone up your favourite oil company (Shell, Mobil, Fuchs - who ever) and ask their technical people. They usually have a list of all the superseded oils and (their) modern equivalents.

Michael

[Abratool]

In that PM thread the description of Velus 3 is that it was " almost like water" i bought some Shell light spindle oil last year...Molina 10, and it is very watery. It was supposed to be a direct repalcement for a light Velocite spindle oil.

Greg
Thanks for that Greg.
I just checked up with an oil specialist bloke I know who is in the oil business, supplies all types of oils.
Discussed the question & application with him, & yes..... as you suggested.....
The recommendation was Shell Morlina 10
A spindle oil which he believes is the closest equiv to Velvus Three.
It was also suggested for use in lathe spindle lubrication.
A 5 litre container would be around $50
So looks like I will go with that.:2tsup:
regards
Bruce

[.RC.]

Does it give another description?

Usually something in Saybolt seconds @ x degrees F..

[Abratool]

Does it give another description?

Usually something in Saybolt seconds @ x degrees F..
I dont have any additional information on the tech aspects of the oil.
The only thing I have to go by is the original bronze nameplate on the machine which nominates "Velvus Three Oil from the British Petroleum & Turpentine Corp."
I think it may have the original oil in the spindle reservoir, which would be 60 to 70 yrs old.
The machine has been operating well for me for about 20yrs, so I do not want to mess it up.The oil level in the sight glass seemed to be a little low, thats the reason for the enquiry.
Thanks for your interest.
Bruce

[.RC.]

Failing everything else... email the company and ask them Precision Grinding in Manchester: Surface Grinding in Manchester (http://www.churchill-grinders.co.uk/)

[Hunch]

If you haven't fixed yourself up, there's a 20 litre drum of Morlina surplus to requirements about 25km away if the Hawkesbury behaves!

[Abratool]

Failing everything else... email the company and ask them Precision Grinding in Manchester: Surface Grinding in Manchester (http://www.churchill-grinders.co.uk/)
RC
I have been in contact a number of times with the Churchill people in Manchester England, & they have been most helpful.
Thanks so much for putting me onto the English Co. I have never been able to get much info before on the grinder but now picking up a wealth of information.
regards
Bruce

[azzrock]

i all ways thought that a good quality engine oil was the way to go in a lathe headstock
aaron

[Metmachmad]

i all ways thought that a good quality engine oil was the way to go in a lathe headstock
aaron
I would think that good engine oil is OK in plain bearing lathe spindles, but with tapered roller bearings I think that you require a grade oil with EP (extreme pressure) qualities. These two bearing types are different beasts. My thoughts only.

[azzrock]

good point. Ill have to think about that.

[Greg Q]

You don't want engine oil in plain bearing spindles either.

[Metmachmad]

You don't want engine oil in plain bearing spindles either.
Please explain

[Greg Q]

You can google motor oil in spindles for many learned discussions regarding this topic. I am not a lubrication engineer, and I do have a bias towards using the correct lube for the application.

Broadly, the formulations of many oils have changed over the years...motor oil sold today is nothing like the SAE spec SC series oils sometimes mentioned in old lathe manuals. Sulphur content, detergent additives etc are counterproductive in a non- engine environment.

Also...we are speaking of plain bearing spindles here, not gearboxes. Each requires a different lubricant, as do rolling element bearings. Why screw around with "she'll be right" based on ignorance and wishful thinking to save a few bucks?

Having had my little rant, some South Bend users report good long term results using a synthetic motor oil in plain spindles. I do note however that good synthetic engine oil is more expensive than good, genuine spindle oil.

Greg

[Log]

Bruce,
I don't know if you googled it but i came up with this link.
Junk Yard Find - Practical Machinist - Largest Manufacturing Technology Forum on the Web (http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/cincinnati-milacron-kearney-trecker-vn-usa-heavy-iron/junk-yard-find-185614/) Try post #13. Now there's some nice big old grinders....:U

Ewan

Good sized shed too eh what.:2tsup:
Just for interest here is a link to a fella who lives in that far far way off land so far beyond the Black Stump that the distance is just unimaginable:D.
Churchill grinder
Bringing my Churchill grinder back to life (http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/bringing-my-churchill-grinder-back-life-207823/)

Cheers.

If I'm not right, then I'm wrong, I'll just go bend some more bananas.