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

[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

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:

photo.JPG

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

[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?