Delta P-20 owners

[Mick Walker]

I have been using 3 in 1 oil to lubricate my P-20. The owner's manual says to use light machine oil. The 3 in 1 seems to be pretty thin. What do the rest of you use? Mick.

[Jimpask]

3 in 1 oil

Hi Mick

I use the same oil on my RBI Hawk 220...seems to do the job nicely

[GrayBeard Phil]

Way more information than you ask for

There are two kinds of 3-in-1 oil. Red can (standard) and Blue can (electric motor.)

For high speed rotation lubrication, as in a pivot bearing for a Delta brand scroll saws, you should be using the blue can oil which is for electric motors. This is basically SAE 20 weight non-detergent motor oil. It is formulated not to turn into glop due to the rotation friction of the moving parts.

Red can oil will turn into glop. This glop must be cleaned with non-scratching and non-metal kitchen scrub pad and paint thinner.

You could also go to a consumer automotive parts store and get SAE 30 weight non-detergent motor oil in a quart can for just a few dollars which would last the rest of your life, but storing, and dispensing is problematic.

In the N.E. USA, where there is a lot more Home heating using the Hot Water systems with water pumps, there is available in the plumbing and heating stores, an extra refined, higher viscosity machine oil for use on the motors and pumps. This you should not use.

Aside: Many Delta scroll saws use a friction pivot bearing with a bushing on the top and bottom arm. On occasions, you may have to remove the entire arm assembly to clean and scrub the back side of the arm assembly where the bushing on the arm is in contact with the saw frame. The design of your saw may differ from mine, which is much older.

Phil