If you have just acquired a Weiler LZ 280, or if you have inherited one from a workshop closure, you have likely embarked on a search for the one document that seems increasingly rare: the (instruction manual). This legendary precision lathe, manufactured by the renowned German company Weiler, is a staple in toolrooms, maintenance workshops, and even watchmaking ateliers. However, finding a complete, legible, and usable manual can be a challenge.
| Component | Oil Type | Frequency | | --- | --- | --- | | Headstock | ISO VG 32 (Hydraulic oil) | Every 1000 hours | | Gearbox | ISO VG 68 | Check sight glass daily | | Apron | ISO VG 32 | Fill via ball oiler (weekly) | | Leadscrew | Way oil (ISO VG 100) | Daily, few drops | | Bed ways | Way oil (ISO VG 100) | Every 2 hours of use | | Tailstock quill | ISO VG 32 | Every use | Weiler Lz 280 Anleitung
| Specification | Value | | --- | --- | | | 140 mm (5.5 inches) | | Swing over bed | 280 mm (11 inches) | | Swing over cross slide | 165 mm | | Distance between centers | 600 mm or 800 mm (depending on model) | | Spindle bore | 26 mm (key metric) | | Spindle nose | Weiler W 28 (1:20 taper plus threaded ring) | | Spindle speeds | 35 – 2800 rpm (often in 12 or 24 steps via two-speed motor) | | Thread pitches | 0.2 – 6 mm (metric) / 4 – 40 TPI (imperial with conversion gears) | | Longitudinal feeds | 0.02 – 1.25 mm/rev | | Motor power | 1.1 kW (1.5 HP) | If you have just acquired a Weiler LZ
This article serves as a comprehensive guide—a living manual—for the Weiler LZ 280. We will cover everything from technical specifications and operational safety to threading charts, lubrication schedules, and where to find original or reproduction manuals. Before diving into the specifics of operation, let’s understand the machine. The Weiler LZ 280 is a precision bench lathe built between the 1960s and early 1980s. It is known for its incredible rigidity, quiet operation (thanks to hardened and ground gears), and unmatched precision for its size. Unlike many hobby lathes, the LZ 280 was built for industrial use. | Component | Oil Type | Frequency |