I've disassembled the table on a very old Steptoe horizontal mill that was converted to vertical with a Tree head.
Some chip gouging primarily at one end of the bed, but cleaned up remarkably well for something that's north or south of a century old. No wear ridges on the gibs or sliding surfaces... Even the lead screws show no easily visible wear (didn't measure), if they're original they're in amazing shape.
The table(smallish, at 9" x 30") has 5/8" round felts recessed into the lower way that are lubricated by lining up holes (alignment arrows/indicators) and squirting oil down through the table and into the felts. But, that's only for the X axis, no lubrication for the Y.
Main question- what would be the best lube for the felts (checking McMaster for replacements)- way oil, or something thinner? Lead screws and knee screws/gears?
Some chip gouging primarily at one end of the bed, but cleaned up remarkably well for something that's north or south of a century old. No wear ridges on the gibs or sliding surfaces... Even the lead screws show no easily visible wear (didn't measure), if they're original they're in amazing shape.
The table(smallish, at 9" x 30") has 5/8" round felts recessed into the lower way that are lubricated by lining up holes (alignment arrows/indicators) and squirting oil down through the table and into the felts. But, that's only for the X axis, no lubrication for the Y.
Main question- what would be the best lube for the felts (checking McMaster for replacements)- way oil, or something thinner? Lead screws and knee screws/gears?
