mill/drill table oiling upgrades?

[Sunset Machine]

I just oiled mine today using a very sophisticated system whereupon I dip my finger into a dollop of way lube and smear it on the ways. Pretty sure the ball oilers are just for looks..

[monkers]

LMAO! I oil a lot of things like that, it is very advanced for someone like me! I looked at the link mentioned earlier, and like the way he did it, he didnt drill the table, only the saddle. Then drilled cross holes to get to where he wanted it. I am probably going to drill the table also, just to be sure while Im doing it. I agree with you on the ball oilers, I dont like them. On my little mill it looks like the hole for the oiler was gnawed through the table by a rabid cast iron eating beaver. .....they didnt bother to deburr the hole on the other side of course...... I figure if the zerks get in my way I can put set screws in them if need be lol.....

[EdK]

(01-26-2013, 10:41 PM)Sunset Machine Wrote: I just oiled mine today using a very sophisticated system whereupon I dip my finger into a dollop of way lube and smear it on the ways. Pretty sure the ball oilers are just for looks..

I also use that sophisticated method of oiling the ways. Works for me and I already had the necessary tool.

Ed

[Sunset Machine]

I like the way my old Brown&Sharpe does it - there are flathead screws flush mounted on the table top (marked "oil"). Unscrew them and fill with oil. Those ball oilers don't vent air like they should.

[stevec]

(01-27-2013, 09:38 AM)Sunset Machine Wrote: I like the way my old Brown&Sharpe does it - there are flathead screws flush mounted on the table top (marked "oil"). Unscrew them and fill with oil. Those ball oilers don't vent air like they should.

Are the flathead screws vented?

[Sunset Machine]

The instructions say to move the table to 4 locations for oiling. As you move the table (with the screws removed) the oil level drops. The screws themselves are not vented, no.

[Highpower]

(01-26-2013, 10:41 PM)Sunset Machine Wrote: I just oiled mine today using a very sophisticated system whereupon I dip my finger into a dollop of way lube and smear it on the ways. Pretty sure the ball oilers are just for looks..

This thread has inspired me to finally do something about a rather inconvenient oiling point on my lathe. "Inconvenient" meaning I'm too lazy to pull the change gear cover off all the time.

I think I have a plan...

Thanks!

[Sunset Machine]

Some pictures. We like pictures, eh?
BTW, this old fella turns 100 years old this year. Happy Birthday, #1510.

[monkers]

Sunset, the South Bend mill we acquired at work has a similar setup, you line up some marks on the table and saddle and there is a set screw down in one of the T slots, put a couple drops of oil in.......

[monkers]

while we`re talkin lubes , the rack in the quill and pinion gear had grease on it, as did the fine downfeed worm and the rack for raising/ lowering the head. Should I stick with grease or use oil on these?