Bridgeport Lube?

[Davek0974]

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]

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb...95/#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]

So we would be looking at one of the common types....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carlube-LM...3D281841559394

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

[m_c]

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/...-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]

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]

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]

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. :(