Shopsmith Forums

What weight oil and service intervals are people using to to lubricate the floating and control sheaves of the Mark V head stock. I have seen SS manuals that list 30 non-detergent, 10W30 and 10 weights and also 3 in 1 oil, and sewing machine oil. I have also been told by a service technician that he uses 20 weight oil. The 30 weight oil is listed in a 2008 copy righted SS service manual (but the content seems older) with a recommended oiling interval 25 hours when mostly i see 10 hours for re-oiling. I mostly use 10 weight but was thinking of going to 20 weight but was concerned about increasing the resistance on the motor shaft and penetration along the shaft. Or does it really matter as long as there is oil on the shafts. Thanks

I use 3in1 or a light machine oil. I have a bunch of tubes of that light machine oil that came with an old key making machine. Not sure it matters much what you use as long as it's not going to congeal.

edma194 wrote: Mon Mar 03, 2025 10:30 am I use 3in1 or a light machine oil. I have a bunch of tubes of that light machine oil that came with an old key making machine. Not sure it matters much what you use as long as it's not going to congeal.

+1

Now to make this more 'interesting', I have an ancient can of SS oil that is mineral oil.

Re the interval, I use the whenever it occurs to me interval. I think how much, hard, use since the last time is a good determinate.

Old oil/old grease does not go bad if stored properly and you can if it does. I am still using a 45+ year old moly wheal bearing grease that i originally purchased to repack the wheel bearings on my car. Still looks good but i would not use it on anything in hard service or outdoors but it works fine where i need a little grease like the needle bearings of the band saw or wheel casters.

I would recommend a lightweight oil like 3 in 1 oil, sewing machine oil or similar. I use the Zoom Spout Oiler which I find convenient for reaching inside the headstock to oil the Idler Shaft Sheave. Shopsmith includes a Pocket Oiler with lightweight oil in the Help Kit for Mark V maintenance. I have used those also. I wouldn't use heavier weights or vehicle oils.

Don't forget dry lubricants for use in exposed places like the back of the Speed Control Assembly. These types of exposed areas tend to quickly collect dust if oils are used for lubrication.

What dry lubricants do you use?

I have used graphite, both powder and spray. Using a spray "dry" lubricant makes it easier to get the lubricant where it needs to be. The carrier solvent quickly evaporates. There are lots of brands to choose from. I have also used other types (not graphite) of spray dry lubricants.

I have found trying to apply graphite from the squeeze container to be hit and miss. I am going to try the 3-1n-1 brand dry lubricant in a squeeze bottle as I don't like keeping limited use aerosol cans since thy loose pressure with most of the product inside.

For the sheaves i mentioned that i used 10 weight oil but this is wrong (just going by what was listed on the internet). It is actually 5 weight as are Zoom Lily White Sewing Machine(iso 22)and all other light duty sewing machine oils. Regular 3-in-1 oil is near 5 weight (they use different units to describe viscosity). I think i may switch to 3-in-1 electric motor oil as it is labeled as being near SAE 20 (actually 17 SAE). A SS service technician i talked to said he has been using non-detergent 20 weight motor oil for years.

I can't find small quantities of 10 weight oil so not sure what to do with my SS Jig Saw as this i a much more critical use of lubricant than the sheaves.

Use compressor oil.

Thanks for the tip. I broadened my search and found the 10 weight ND oil. The brand is Pure Guard and is sold in one nearby automotive store for $6 a quart.