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Davek0974
26-05-2016, 12:01 PM
I'm stripping my BR2J mill head and trying to find out what lube to replace the wax in the gears with !

I have searched and as usual got 100 different answers.

This is a UK based question (US stuff not available over here)

Can anyone give a recommendation as to what i pack the bullgear housing with and also the gear shifter?

I think thats the only parts that get grease.

Many thanks

MetalMagus
26-05-2016, 12:11 PM
Davek0974,
I have found the manual for the mill on line. Lubrication charts start in chapter 3.

Web address for the manual.

http://www.truetex.com/bridgeport-manual.pdf

Cheers

Sean

Davek0974
26-05-2016, 12:59 PM
Thanks, got that one.

This is where it gets messy - Lubriplate 105/107 is not found in the UK it seems.

Sun EP741 also not found, so we are into the whole substitution mess again.

I will ring a few lubricant companies.

Davek0974
26-05-2016, 01:08 PM
Well that didn't take long - neither code is listed in their charts and neither company would dig further due to having to order bulk qty even if they did find it.

So, looks like we are down to guess work then.

Open gear grease I guess for the bullgear housing - but what type??

komatias
26-05-2016, 03:08 PM
Well that didn't take long - neither code is listed in their charts and neither company would dig further due to having to order bulk qty even if they did find it.

So, looks like we are down to guess work then.

Open gear grease I guess for the bullgear housing - but what type??

Dave I use Mobil's slide way oil.

Davek0974
26-05-2016, 03:14 PM
This is a gear grease, not the oil for the oil cups on the head.

This is packed inside the housing around the main backgear gear wheel.

Needs to be grease but nobody seems to know what sort ;)

m_c
27-05-2016, 12:24 AM
http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general-archive/lubrication-bridgeport-series1-157891-post893695/#post893695

Which from http://www.fuchslubricants.com/renolit-ep puts it as a slightly thinner than normal/common type grease.

Plus from a couple different posts I found, the general consensus is a general grease designed for gears. Given the age of the design, and the fact there's not really any specific requirements, I wouldn't personally be worried about using the exact grease.

Davek0974
27-05-2016, 07:20 AM
So we would be looking at one of the common types....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carlube-LM2-Lithium-EP2-Multi-Purpose-Moly-Lithium-Grease-400g-Cartridge-Set/281841559394?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1% 26asc%3D36981%26meid%3Ddcd82a37e2394acebd63d6b4edd 9dd24%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D281 841559394

Just using for illustration - which one would be most suitable?

m_c
27-05-2016, 11:07 AM
You ideally want something a bit thinner than the more common greases.

Try searching for fluid or semi-fluid greases, which are designed for autolube/centralized lubrication systems. I just done a quick search, but could only find large packs.
Although this just came up - http://store.forestlubricants.co.uk/penrite-semi-fluid-grease/
Something like that, provided there is some form of sealing to keep it in the gearbox. It's got a consistency a bit like yoghurt, in that it's thick but still pours.

Davek0974
27-05-2016, 11:13 AM
That sounds a lot like CV joint grease?

There are no seals in the head, just bearings, the quill then the floor!

The quill is oil lubed so getting grease in there would be bad

m_c
27-05-2016, 11:30 AM
Maybe best to stick a thicker grease then, however you want something that won't dry out quickly.

I'd give a good oil supplier a call and see what they recommend.
Lots of the more common greases (including CV/Moly grease) will dry out surprisingly quick when open to the atmosphere and a bit warmth. The only grease I've used lately that never seems to dry out, is a red grease from the local agricultural dealers, but it may be a bit on the thick side.

Davek0974
27-05-2016, 11:38 AM
I tried ringing a couple yesterday, apart from telling me that the codes i was searching for did not exist in the UK, they would offer no recommendation incase it was the wrong choice. :(

spluppit
27-05-2016, 12:39 PM
These guys are the remnants of Bridgeport Uk. I recall the grease was in a tube and was squirted in via a oiling hole in the back of the head and it was white. If i saw the name of the stuff again i would know it instantly. Old school apprentice that had to do the weekly machine oiling of a whole toolroom for 5 years!

Call these guys there is nothing they don't know about Bridgeports.

http://braithwaiterebuild.co.uk/

lucan07
27-05-2016, 12:45 PM
Slap a good handfull of axle grease in there Dave and call it a job you'll end up with grey hair and a frown (just like me) at this rate!

Davek0974
31-05-2016, 10:18 AM
I had a chat with Braithwaite this morning, the result was that they just use a black moly grease so thats what i'll stuff in there :)

Pretty much CV joint grease.

lucan07
31-05-2016, 11:46 AM
As used in many axles?

Davek0974
31-05-2016, 12:38 PM
Yep ;) It seems there is no direct sub for the US products in the UK so they just load it with Moly grease.

Davek0974
07-06-2016, 10:31 AM
Still on the subject of BP lube...

The oil cup on the right side of the 2J head, the big one for the spindle, there is a tube on the inside and a wick.

Has anyone got a picture of where this tube and wick should point when reassembled please?

I can't find one in any manual or on youtube.

Thanks

m_c
07-06-2016, 10:57 AM
Without having ever paid any attention to Bridgeport heads, my guess would be it should be positioned so that oil drips onto whatever it's meant to be lubricating.

Davek0974
07-06-2016, 11:11 AM
:)

Yes but there are a few things it could be - the spindle bearings are one target but there is also the quill itself, not sure if it is meant for one or both somehow.

m_c
07-06-2016, 11:14 AM
On the bearings, with any splash/leakage then ending up on the quill?

Davek0974
07-06-2016, 11:25 AM
Probably ;)

I only asked because having stripped and painted my head, i read a post on forum that said the oiler/tube should not be removed (oops ;) ) as it was bent to shape when built. I just like getting things right when i rebuild stuff thats all.

m_c
07-06-2016, 12:50 PM
Probably ;)
the oiler/tube should not be removed (oops ;) )

:-)

I think we've all been there. At least it wasn't something that self-disassembled itself over the floor when removed :rolleyes: