In article ,
says...

"Christopher Tidy" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I need to get some oil for my power hacksaw. The manual says to use
Mobil Vactra Oil Extra Heavy. In the past I've oiled it with EP 90 gear
oil, but now I've run out so I thought it was a good opportunity to get
the right stuff. I've called about a dozen suppliers in the Business
Pages, but I can only get equivalents. Does anyone know if Mobil still
make this oil, and if so where I can get it from? I'd be happy to buy a
5 gallon drum unless it's very expensive.

Best wishes,

Chris


Chris,

As far as I know, (Mobil) Vactra is still very much available. I checked
Google to see if I could find a source for you in the UK, but the two links
I tried failed to work. Perhaps you would have some success on your end.
Dunno.

I use Vactra #2 for both my lathe and mill, and recommend it highly. I'm
not sure if the #2 would be considered their extra heavy, however. It is
also available as Vactra #4.

Vactra Extra-heavy and Vactra #2 and #4 are not simply
different viscosities of the same lubricant, they're
different products. Why Mobil does this is beyond me, but
IIRC, there are also two different Mobil DTEs.

http://www.mobil.com/USA-
English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENINDMOMobil_Vactra_Oil_Numbered.asp

http://www.mobil.com/USA-
English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENINDMOMobilVactraNamed_DoubleLetterS
eries.asp

I think the EP90 would be a closer replacement for the
Vactra Extra-heavy than one of the numbered Vactras,
especially if this is for a gearbox. But if it's for the
hacksaw's external slides, I wouldn't hesitate to
substitute one of the numbered Vactras for the Extra-heavy.

Oh yeah, one more caveat, some EP additives are
incompatible with copper alloys. I do know that Mobilgear
is OK in that respect, so that would be another possibility
if this is for a gearbox.

Ned Simmons