Slideway Oil

Slideway oil is formulated for the sliding ways, slides, tables and saddles of machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, grinders and planers.

The problem it solves is stick-slip. Under slow, heavily loaded sliding motion, an ordinary oil lets the surfaces grab and release in tiny increments, which shows up as chatter marks and poor surface finish on the workpiece. Slideway oils carry tackiness agents and friction modifiers that keep the film in place on vertical and inclined ways and give smooth, consistent movement at very low speeds. They are also formulated to separate cleanly from water-based cutting fluid, so the coolant tank is not contaminated by way lubricant washing down into it.

ISO 68 is common for horizontal ways and lighter machines, with ISO 220 used on vertical ways and heavier equipment where cling matters more.