Oils and lubricants are an absolutely essential part of the modern workshop. Your expensive equipment, machinery and intricate mechanisms can have a much longer working life if they are kept well-lubricated, as these substances provide a protective shield that minimises wear and tear. Some even reduce heat on moving parts and provide protection from corrosion. Here is our overview of some of the most popular oils and lubricants on the market today.
Motor oil
Motor oil lubricates the gears inside motors in vehicles and other machinery, making for a smoother, more consistent rotation. These industrial oils for engines (or ‘synthetic oils’) are made from petroleum industry by-products and have a specific ‘thickness’ that is suited to coating the moving parts and providing a barrier from wear and tear.
Grease
Grease is a lot thicker than oil – it is designed specifically for those places that might be hard to reach with oil and need a longer-lasting coat that won’t drip or fall away. Rather than being poured or sprayed onto the surface, grease is rubbed into it for much more targeted lubrication.
An added benefit of grease is that it can be used to prevent water from getting into your machinery/equipment. Great for use in equipment that will be subjected to wide temperature range changes.
Hydraulic fluid
Not technically a lubricant, hydraulic fluids are used to prolong the life of machinery. An important feature of a hydraulic fluid is that it remains stable in the face of high pressure – where most liquids will increase in volume as the temperature and/or pressure increases, hydraulic fluids do not. This means they can be used in jacks, pumps and pistons with reliable results.
Chain and cable lubricant
From bicycle chains through to lift cables and everything in between, chains and cables need to be constantly lubricated – not only to ensure smooth, consistent running but also to prevent corrosion, which will weaken and eventually break the item.
Cutting and tapping oil
Cutting causes fast heat build-up, which can be incredibly damaging both to the item being cut and to the cutting tool. Cutting and tapping oils dissipate this heat quickly, protecting drill bits, blades and the (usually) metal that is being cut – and saving money on replacements.
Compressor oil
Compressor oil is a type of synthetic oil that is designed for air compressors. It can be effective not only as a lubricant when the compressor is running, but high-quality versions can also aid in starting up the unit from cold (or in the cold).
White grease lubricant
White grease lubricant is designed for smaller moving parts that aren’t necessarily high-intensity or subjected to high temperature or pressure fluctuations – locks and hinges, for example. It provides lubricating properties to make the mechanisms operate smoothly, and protective properties to increase their lifespan.
