Thread: Oils for Cincinnati Dividing head

I've recently purchased a Cincinnati 10" (I think) dividing head. Appears to be in good condition, though it sat in a dirty shop for many years. With the worm disengaged it was difficult to turn the handle until I put some drops of Vactra #2 into the oil holes. Now it's better and clearly just needs a thorough oiling but I'd like to make sure I'm using the appropriate oil for it. Also, I understand the worm is meant to sit in an oil bath. What oil is appropriate for it? How do I get oil in there? How do I know where there's enough?

I also may be interested in a tailstock if there are any known to be for sale.

Thanks,

Will

Looks like an oil tube headed over to the worm from the side opposite the indexing plates in this 1923 scan:

Cinc DH Scans :: DH01.jpg picture by johnoder - Photobucket

I'd say the Vactra would certainly be better than none at all.

Will,
Vactra no# 2 would be fine... If I remember correctly cincy calls for one of thier 'p' series lubes .. p-47 which is a iso-68 parfinated oil.. or in modern terms vactra no# 2
Stay safe
Calvin

Take a good look at John's scans. After a good cleaning you'll find about 5 or 6 different plugs with "oil" stamped next to them. Tailstock's seem to be a little hard to come by, I've been searching for over a year for one and just happend accross one on Ebay last week......shipping cost me more than the tailstock.

The 1948 instruction manual lists Cincinnati spec P-31, which has been superseded by P-55. 1968 lube manual says Mobile DTE Medium, among others. I use Chevron GST ISO 46.

rlbleeker sir,
Hey That's great news to me ! My manual is from the early thirties and recommends the p-47 number.. I will, however pencil the p-31-p-55 info in my manual as I use DTE medium for the gear box on my machine.. It will be nice to use the same oil in the dividing head as the gear box as I have an abundance of dte medium.. Thanks again for the updated info.
Stay safe
Calvin

Originally Posted by calvin b

rlbleeker sir,
Hey That's great news to me ! My manual is from the early thirties and recommends the p-47 number.. I will, however pencil the p-31-p-55 info in my manual as I use DTE medium for the gear box on my machine.. It will be nice to use the same oil in the dividing head as the gear box as I have an abundance of dte medium.. Thanks again for the updated info.
Stay safe
Calvin

Is it possible to get a copy of the manual for the #10 Indexing Head?

Here's a link to the scans of my Cincinnati brochure;
Cincinnati pictures by revgo1898 - Photobucket

I haven't had time to get the dividing head manual scanned. Most of what it contains is in the MI operator's manual, which I think you can find on this site.

Thanks for the pictures Gordon
Jeff