Anyone ever change their Powermatic 15 planer oil?

[Larry Palanuk]

I tuned up my planer (Wow! What a difference). I thought I would go ahead and change the oil like it says to do annually. (Haven't since I bought it new in '99).

Where do you find 50wt Oil? I don't want to get a gallon; the auto parts store don't carry it.

How much does it take? Hobby stores sell it for $4 per 2oz bottle.

Can I just use 90wt or some other gear oil?

[James Baker SD]

I found the proper weight gear oil at an auto store. It was with the transmission fluids and not with the motor oil on the shelves however.

[Jim O'Dell]

I did a search at AutoZone.com and they show 2 brands. The Valvoline VR1 racing oil was in stock for my zip code, and showed 5.99 a quart. Royal Purple is 8.99/qt. but not in stock. YMMV, but look around and I bet you'll find it. Jim.

[John Downey]

Remember to take the fill plug out first, before you drain the oil :D

[James Baker SD]

and drain it into a METAL container, not glass. DAMHIK

[Mark Andrew]

I did mine when I put a Byrd in it. Like others, I got the oil at AutoZone. It was inexpensive, maybe $5 for a quart.

I had oil leaking everywhere out of mine. Then I realized that the holes without bolts in them went all the way into the gearbox.

Just realized - mine is a 15S (i.e. just like a Grizzly and a dozen other brands). The 15 is a Belsaw like machine, as far as I recall. That may be different.

[keith micinski]

Remember to take the fill plug out first, before you drain the oil :D

This is a very good tip for anything with a gear case, or a differential!

[Bruce Wrenn]

First, it's not oil, but gear grease. Do a Google search for "changing the oil in 15" planer," and you should get lots of hits.

[Mark Andrew]

Bruce, page 13 of the user manual for my planer says "Refill the gear box with 60-90 weight gear oil through the fill hole ". Here is the OIL I used:

283944

It goes on to say "The four table-raising screws should be lubricated as required using a common grease." I think the OP was talking about the oil in the gearbox though.

[Bryan Rocker]

Go to your local tractor supply or Rural king, I am sure they will have it.

[Larry Palanuk]

What is with the metal container? Is this an inside joke? You have me thinking about a scene in Breaking Bad involving acid, a dead body, and a bathtub on the second floor?

and drain it into a METAL container, not glass. DAMHIK

Thanks for all the replies. There is an AutoZone in town, I will swing by and take a look

[John Downey]

Nothing like that, it's just that glass is really slick when you spill a little oil on it, and breaks when you drop that slippery container. Plastic and metal won't :D

[James Baker SD]

and breaks when you drop that slippery container.

Exactly. :-(

[Dennis Peacock]

I changed mine out and put Amsoil 75W-90 full synthetic gear lube in it.

[Wade Lippman]

I had oil leaking everywhere out of mine. Then I realized that the holes without bolts in them went all the way into the gearbox.

.

Please elaborate; why did you have oil leaking everywhere? Before the oil change, during, after?

I have a 1 year old Grizzly. I figure I use it about 5% of commercial use, so I should change it every 20 years. (well maybe every 5 years to be on the safe side) Does that reasoning make sense?

[Bill Rogers]

I don't want to get a gallon;How much does it take?

Some how much oil does a Powermatic 15 planer take? I should change the oil in mine.

[Mark Andrew]

Wade, I had the gearbox fully removed, and tilted it. Stupid mistake!

Bill - less than a pint. I bought a quart and still have a bit more than half left.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Bruce, page 13 of the user manual for my planer says "Refill the gear box with 60-90 weight gear oil through the fill hole ". Here is the OIL I used:

283944

It goes on to say "The four table-raising screws should be lubricated as required using a common grease." I think the OP was talking about the oil in the gearbox though.You're good to go!

[Bill Rogers]

I changed the gearbox oil and it wasn't that hard to do. I used Valvoline's 80W-90 Gear Oil. Could they have put the fill plug in a more difficult spot to access? I used a straw and connected it to the end of the tip on the quart of oil and squeezed it into the gearbox. The danger here being that you need to be careful not to overfill it! DAMHIK

[Mark Andrew]

On the subject of used gearbox oil in glass jars....

I caught my used oil in a glass jar, and put it on a shelf. Where I keep my other jars. With premixed stain & varnish mix.

Yup, I put gearbox oil on my lathe stand...

[Prescott Musler]

For those still wondering, my planer took about 20-24 oz of the quart

[Bill Dufour]

Be mindful that GL5 and higher gear oil is not safe to use with yellow metal(Brass, bronze). Many gearboxes use brass bushing or brass gears.
Bill D