Drill press

Yes, depending on the machine design, one or the other.

Which one? If the spindle bearings are rolling-element bearings, there's no universal answer, and I'm quite sure you wouldn't be asking this question of you had the maintenance manual. If the replacement bearings are open -- don't have shields or seals -- AND the machine has oil cups, the factory probably specified oil. If the replacement bearings do have shields or seals, they should be greased at the factory.

If the replacement bearings are open, but there are no oil cups feeding them, grease is probably the right answer. If the machine was made before the 1960s, the factory probably greased 'em with sodium-soap-thickened grease (which may still be available through auto supply stores as "drum brake wheel bearing grease", while newer machines may we have been factory-filled with an all-purpose grease similar to today's wheel-bearing-and-chassis grease from the auto supply store.

For my own use, I'd probably use a grease sold as a boat-trailer / marine grease that meets the NLGI "GC-LB" specification for automotive chassis and wheel bearings. You should be aware that different makers of such boat-trailer greases use different thickeners -- lithium complex, aluminum complex, and calcium complex -- are common, and shouldn't be mixed.

John
 
The selection of the most effective bearing lubricant (whether grease or oil) can depend on the applying conditions. With a wide variety of greases and oils out there, solutions are available for many applications; however, there's no perfect grease whether natural, synthetic, micro-filtered or otherwise. I think grease is perfect for you.
 

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