Machine tools are often expensive. So, you want to ensure you’re using a good lubricant to keep them in the best condition possible. With the proper use of lubricating oil, you can help your power tools work more efficiently and last longer.
Whether you’re operating the tools yourself or you want to make sure your employees have the right lubricants, here’s what you need to know about the different types of lubricating oils for machine tools.
Why You Should Lubricate Your Machine Tools
When you operate a machine tool, different components of the tool rub together. This causes metal surfaces to heat up. Over time, friction and heat can damage individual parts. Too much heat can also cause the tool to fail.
A lubricating oil will help by reducing friction. With lubrication, there’s less resistance so your tools can operate more efficiently. And, you won’t have to worry about the parts overheating.
That’s not all. Depending on the type of oil you use and what additives it contains, your lubricant can help to prevent common problems like corrosion and rust buildup.
Lubricants are essentially protecting the surfaces and parts of your machine tools from everything that can cause damage:
- Heat
- Pressure
- Dust
- Friction
- Moisture
Types of Lubricating Oils
There are several types of lubricating oils you can use for machine tools. All oils consist of a base oil and certain additives.
The base can be a mineral, synthetic, or vegetable oil. For power tools, you’ll use either a mineral oil or synthetic oil base.
- Mineral oil lubricants are often used as industrial lubricants. They are less expensive than synthetic oils, less toxic, and easier to dispose of. Most machine oils have a mineral oil base.
- Synthetic oils are man-made oils. They contain some of the same petroleum-based products that mineral oil is made from. They are used when you need a stable oil that offers high thermal resistance and a high viscosity index.
Manufacturers will put different additives into the lubricant to prevent rust, abrasion, or to protect the machine in other ways.
When choosing the right lubricating oil for your machine tools, think about what properties you want your lubricant to have.
- High viscosity: Lubricants with a high viscosity index are thicker. They will be able to stand up to higher temperatures. Viscosity also impacts how sensitive your machine’s surfaces will be to dirt and dust. A thicker lubricant will be able to trap more contaminants. Viscosity is the most important consideration when choosing a lubricating oil.
- Rust inhibitors: These additives will form a thin film on the surface of metal that will repel water. As a result, they can help to protect your tools from rust. If you use or store your tools in a humid environment, consider a lubricant with rust inhibitors.
- Dispersants: These additives help to remove small particles that could otherwise increase abrasion during use. They envelop dust, dirt, and other contaminants and trap them within the oil. They are useful for all power tools.
- Extreme pressure additives: Also, known as EP additives, these react with metal surfaces to create a thin barrier. For tools that see a lot of metal-on-metal contact such as grinders and cutting wheels, an oil with EP additives can be a good choice.
Balancing Cost and Quality When Choosing a Lubricant
In order to maintain your power tools, you’re going to need to regularly use a machine oil to keep the parts lubricated. So, you want to choose one that does the job well, that you don’t need a lot of, and that fits within your budget.
For machine tools, you can usually find everything you need from a good-quality machine oil or general-purpose lubricant with a mineral oil base. Lubricating oils with a mineral oil base are cost-effective and good enough for caring for power tools.
If you want a higher-quality mineral oil, look for lubricants with a higher viscosity grade, a higher flash point, or with specific lubricant additives that will offer more protection than a standard machine oil. Keep in mind, a low-viscosity oil may cost less, but because it’s thinner, you may also need to use more of it to keep your tools protected.
Invest in synthetic lubricants for those tools that require a specific lubricating oil, such as a non-flammable oil or an oil that can handle extreme temperatures, for example.
Browse our selection of lubricants, including food-grade lubricants, rust inhibitors, and more.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.