vaseline ok to lube the ways on a bridgeport?

[mbwittig]

Hi guys,

I just picked up a used bridgeport. The grease on the ways is pretty filthy. Can I wipe it off and replace it with some vaseline? That good enough?

-Mike

[DareBee]

A bridgeport mill is mean't to have waylube 68 used on the ways. Otherwise what is the big deal about using EP grease on it?
Why vaseline?
I guess if you are that hard up and can't get to a store, vaseline is better than nothing

[machintek]

The older machines did indeed have grease fittings. But grease is typically a lot better than vaseline at what it does. Typically good at higher pressure applications. Newer machines had the one shot way oil systems. Mobil Vactra number 2 or a good way oil is the least you can use there.

George

[widgitmaster]

Originally Posted by mbwittig Hi guys, I just picked up a used bridgeport. The grease on the ways is pretty filthy. Can I wipe it off and replace it with some vaseline? That good enough? -Mike

How old is it?
Most Bridgeport's have central lubrication systems piped through them, and they use Way Lube which is available at www.use-enco.com for a reasonable price per gallon!

If you can't get way lube, straight 30 weight non deturgent oil like the stuff for old lawn mowers, will work fine!

The glop on the mill may just be a grease used during storage, to keep it from rusting!

If the mill is really old, and has zirk-fittings (grease nipples), then use a standard automotive grease!

Have fun!
Eric

[Geof]

Originally Posted by mbwittig Hi guys, I just picked up a used bridgeport. The grease on the ways is pretty filthy. Can I wipe it off and replace it with some vaseline? That good enough? -Mike

Vaseline is not any different to high viscosity pure mineral oil, it works perfectly well as a lubricant for applications that are low speed, low load and low temperature. Which describes machine ways fairly accurately.

[JagSys]

Vaseline is not a mechanical lube and may even contain water! The machine should have an auto oil lube system?

[UKRobotics]

My bridgeport is not kept in the best of environments at the moment and is somewhat open to the elements. While I use the reccomended Heavybear 68 in the auto lube system, anything not protected by that has been covered with a liberal helping of Vaseline which does a damn good job of keeping rust and moisture at bay.

[scottmi]

The zerk fittings on older Bridgeports are NOT for grease. You pump wayoil into them. I use a grease gun full of vactra #2 on my old round ram. I give each fitting a shot or two before use.

[Geof]

Originally Posted by JagSys Vaseline is not a mechanical lube and may even contain water!

Nonsense.

[One of Many]

I'll second that!

Grease holds on and helps collect crud like fly paper. You most certainly do not want that. A direct injection with a "high pressure hand oil pump can" will flush out the crud and lubricate as intended. If the ways have good wipers, then the petrolium jelly won't have much of a chance to lube where it would do much good anyway.

What's next.......KY Jelly for gear lube and Massengill Douche for coolant?

DC

[ajl6549]

Originally Posted by One of Many What's next.......KY Jelly for gear lube and Massengill Douche for coolant? DC

I'll 3rd that ...or whatever. I wonder if you can get any of the above products in bulk from MSC or Granger???

[djvoigt]

Originally Posted by mbwittig Hi guys, I just picked up a used bridgeport. The grease on the ways is pretty filthy. Can I wipe it off and replace it with some vaseline? That good enough? -Mike

NO- clean the shipping grease off, and OIL the ways with waylube as they should be.