Way Oils

Way oil (also called waylube or slideway oil) for the guideways of CNC machines and manual machine tools. EASYCUT WL68 is the ISO 68 grade most machines call for; WL220 is the ISO 220 grade for heavy machines and vertical ways. Both give a smooth film without stick-slip and protect the ways against wear and corrosion, even with coolant splashing on them.

In stock in Canada in 5-gallon pails and 55-gallon drums, WL68 also in 270-gallon totes. Order online 24/7, no quote needed.

Total found: 2

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EASYCUT WL220 Way Oil ISO 220 for Heavy-Duty Slideways, 55 Gallon Drum

WL220-552 unit in stock

CA$930.00

excl. taxesCA$1,554.81

Total discount 40%

EASYCUT WL68 Way Oil ISO 68 for Slideways, 5 Gallon Pail

WL68-51 unit in stock

CA$180.07

excl. taxes

Way Oil & Waylube for CNC Machine Slideways

Way oil (also known as waylube or slideway oil) lubricates the guideways and sliding surfaces of a machine tool. Most CNC machines feed it automatically: a lube pump sends small doses through metering units to the ways and often to the ballscrews, every few minutes while the machine runs. What it has to do is simple to state and hard to get right — keep a film on the ways that lets the axis move smoothly at any feed, and stay there long enough to do it.

Why Way Oil Is Critical for Machine Performance

Prevents stick-slip: without the right additives, a slow-moving axis sticks, then jumps. Way oil keeps motion smooth even at the lowest feed rates.
Protects surface finish: smooth axis motion means no chatter marks from the machine itself.
Protects guideways: the film keeps metal off metal and slows wear on the ways.
Keeps positioning accurate: consistent friction means consistent positioning and repeatability.
Stands up to coolant: it keeps protecting against rust even when coolant washes over the ways.

ISO Grades: Waylube 68 vs 220

ISO 68 way oil is the most common grade, used on horizontal slideways and on most CNC lathes and machining centers. It flows through the lube pump and metering units easily and still holds a film on the ways. That is waylube 68 — EASYCUT WL68, viscosity 61–75 mm²/s at 40 °C, flash point above 200 °C.

ISO 220 way oil is much thicker. It is used on vertical and inclined ways, where a thin oil runs off, and on large, heavily loaded machines. EASYCUT WL220 is blended with bright stock for its viscosity; flash point 266 °C.

Use the grade in the machine manual. Many machines specify ISO 68 for horizontal ways and ISO 220 for vertical ones, sometimes on the same machine with two reservoirs. Putting ISO 220 into a system built for ISO 68 can starve the metering units and leave the ways dry.

Signs of a way lubrication problem

Chatter marks or a jerky axis at low feed: stick-slip — the wrong oil, or not enough of it reaching the ways.
Lube alarm or a reservoir that never goes down: a blocked line or metering unit; the ways are running dry.
Coolant that smells and has an oil layer on top: way oil ends up in the coolant tank on every machine. A lot of it means the lube interval is too frequent or a line is leaking. An oil skimmer takes it back out.
Rust on the ways after a weekend: coolant has washed the film off. Run a lube cycle before shutting the machine down.

Key Properties of Way Oils

Tackiness (adhesion): helps the oil stay on vertical and inclined surfaces.
Anti stick-slip additives: keep friction the same at slow and fast feeds.
Corrosion protection: protects the ways from rust, including when coolant is present.
Oxidation stability: the oil does not gum up in lines and metering units.

Way oil is not hydraulic oil

Way oil and hydraulic oil often sit side by side on the same machine. Way oil is made to stick to the slideways; hydraulic oil is made to flow freely and release air. Filling one reservoir with the other causes problems in both systems.

FAQ

Looking for coolants or cutting oils? See all metalworking fluids.

Way Oil & Waylube for CNC Machine Slideways

Why Way Oil Is Critical for Machine Performance

Prevents stick-slip: without the right additives, a slow-moving axis sticks, then jumps. Way oil keeps motion smooth even at the lowest feed rates.

Protects surface finish: smooth axis motion means no chatter marks from the machine itself.

Protects guideways: the film keeps metal off metal and slows wear on the ways.

Keeps positioning accurate: consistent friction means consistent positioning and repeatability.

Stands up to coolant: it keeps protecting against rust even when coolant washes over the ways.

ISO Grades: Waylube 68 vs 220

Signs of a way lubrication problem

Chatter marks or a jerky axis at low feed: stick-slip — the wrong oil, or not enough of it reaching the ways.

Lube alarm or a reservoir that never goes down: a blocked line or metering unit; the ways are running dry.

Coolant that smells and has an oil layer on top: way oil ends up in the coolant tank on every machine. A lot of it means the lube interval is too frequent or a line is leaking. An oil skimmer takes it back out.

Rust on the ways after a weekend: coolant has washed the film off. Run a lube cycle before shutting the machine down.

Key Properties of Way Oils

Tackiness (adhesion): helps the oil stay on vertical and inclined surfaces.

Anti stick-slip additives: keep friction the same at slow and fast feeds.

Corrosion protection: protects the ways from rust, including when coolant is present.

Oxidation stability: the oil does not gum up in lines and metering units.