Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 13, 2009 9:28:30 GMT -5
Howdy folks, I've unpacked and am setting up my 10 inch saw again but am having a bit of a problem finding coolant here locally. Checked online and wow, coolant prices have really shot up. I've always used Covingtons oil or Almeg or Pella but notice that the synthetic Gem Lube that you mix with water would work out cheaper. Few questions for the gang. Have any of you used the Gem Lube and does it allow your saw and blade to rust? Does it work OK as a coolant? Also, someone here mentioned finding a cheap good mineral oil for coolant at Walmart but I couldn't find anything at our store. What department would it be in and what was it called?....Mel
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NorthShore-Rocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since December 2008
Posts: 1,004
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Post by NorthShore-Rocks on Nov 13, 2009 9:46:20 GMT -5
I haven't used any of the Gem Lube, but I too had a heck of time finding oil locally. I ended up buying the generic "Baby Oil" from Walmart. I've been cutting almost everyday with temps in the 30's and 40's and it seems to be doing great without sparking up the wood stove. The baby oil fragrance really backs off quickly.
I found it in the cosmetics/baby product section in our store. About 2 bucks for 20 oz. It took 2 trips for 30 bottles. Cleaned out the local store and drove across the bridge to Superior, WI and cleaned them out too! The comments and looks at the cash register were priceless! ;D
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Post by catmandewe on Nov 13, 2009 10:10:20 GMT -5
Walmart mineral oil is food grade mineral oil, used for intestinal medication UPC: 0068113168763 This is a 16 oz bottle, so you need to get 4 of them to get a gallon.
If you have a United Oil warehouse in your area (or something similar) you should be able to buy a 5 gallon bucket of technical grade mineral oil for around 35-40 bucks. Some areas are higher and some are lower in price.
Have a great day............Tony
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geodes4u
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2009
Posts: 144
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Post by geodes4u on Nov 13, 2009 10:50:54 GMT -5
Good Morning I used to use Pella, but both my son and I kept getting really sick after we would cut. That was years ago, and now I only use mineral oil in my 18". I raise sheep and use the oil as a drench from time to time, so my vet sells it to me in gallon containers. Have had great success with low mist.
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Post by Toad on Nov 13, 2009 10:54:25 GMT -5
Mineral oil from the vet, who knew?
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rockdewd
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2007
Posts: 605
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Post by rockdewd on Nov 13, 2009 12:07:43 GMT -5
I wouldn't recommend using mineral oil made for intestinal medication. It is too heavy viscosity. It is made heavier to stay in the spoon like cough syrup. I tried it once and after a couple days cutting I had what looked like brown fudge in my saw. The rock debris wouldn't settle out of it.
For a 10" saw go with the WalMart Equate brand baby oil. Sure you'll get a lot of looks pushing a basket of baby oil to the checkout stand. Walgreens also sells their generic brand baby oil for a good price. And the smell does go away within a couple days if you are cutting regularly.
If you have a farm and ranch supply place near you check to see if they have mineral oil for horses. They use it for intestinal problems on horses. They sell it by the gallon. I found some at Big R a couple years ago for around $10 a gallon.
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Post by Jack, lapidaryrough on Nov 13, 2009 17:04:21 GMT -5
Shingle oil from Chevron has a flash point of 361 - F.
I buy it in the 55 gallon Can.
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Post by rocklicker on Nov 13, 2009 17:52:54 GMT -5
I've been using mineral oil from Walmart for a few years now and like it. It comes from the laxatives section. It comes out to around $12 a gallon, which is good considering you don't have to pay shipping. Yes, it is thick. What I do is fill up the cart with mineral oil from the laxatives section then wander on over to the baby section and get baby oil. Just the generic type and make sure it doesn't have aloe in it. It's nice and inexpensive also. All baby oil is mineral oil and fragrance. It is also much thinner than the straight mineral oil. I found the best recipe is half baby and have regular, or 2/3 baby and 1/3 regular. Your saw will smell like a nursery for a week or so but the smell dissipates. My wife likes the smell of a baby oil saw too ;D. Steve
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 13, 2009 18:56:55 GMT -5
Very cool folks! Thanks a bunch! I was wondering if the paint section was the right place to be looking. I'll check out the baby oil section next time i go shopping. Can't wait to get the saw running again.....Mel
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 14, 2009 10:12:29 GMT -5
Mel, you can try the automotive section also. They have tractor hydraulic oil in my area. Tractor Supply Hardware stores seem to be everywhere in Texas and they have food grade mineral oil in equine section for around $12 a gal. As far as water soluble none prevent rusting blades so need to be removed after use. If you cut agate in a metal bodied saw oil is always better for cooling and corrosion prevention.
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Nov 14, 2009 14:21:46 GMT -5
I'v been using the Gem Lube on my flat laps and have had no problems with rust ... I dont always make sure that they are dry before putting them away ... dont see why it would be any different with a saw
Wolf
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firewalker45
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 929
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Post by firewalker45 on Nov 14, 2009 16:28:48 GMT -5
Hi Mel, I have been using Lube cool 4800 for over a year. It works great in my 6 inch trim saw. I mix it 1 part oil to ten parts of water. It is economical when you look at it that way. It will rust your saw blade if it is left in the mix for any length of time.I used it for a period of time where I used the saw evey day and did not have any problems. Then one time I did not use it for a couple of weeks and the blade rusted where it sat in the water. So if I know I will not be using it, I scoop the oil out until it is below the blade. Another good point of it; is no need for using kitty litter. washes up really good with just soap and water. Hope this helps, Daniel
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 14, 2009 19:20:53 GMT -5
OK now that is very cool John, I know we have a handy Tractor Supply in town. I'll go in next week and get me some oil....Mel
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dfitch
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2008
Posts: 10
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Post by dfitch on Nov 15, 2009 23:29:45 GMT -5
I have seen chainsaw oil for as little as $4 a gallon. It is going to be a 30 weight mineral oil with a mist inhibitor in it. Checking the MSDS sheets, it has a one rating for inhalation so is a very mild hazard. Any comments?
dave
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Nov 16, 2009 1:40:17 GMT -5
Stolen from www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/oilmist/recognition.html ... "Effects on Humans: Exposure to mineral oil mists can cause eye, skin, and upper respiratory tract irritation as well as central nervous system effects in humans. In addition, certain mineral oils are carcinogenic in humans [Hathaway et al. 1991]. Exposure to mineral oil mists can result in localized irritation of the mucous membranes, and if exposures are excessive, headaches, dizziness, and drowsiness may result [Genium 1985]. Liquid petrolatum is essentially innocuous when it comes in contact with human corneas [Grant 1986]. A case of lipoid pneumonia was reported in a worker following a high-exposure to mineral oil with inadequate ventilation [ACGIH 1991; Hathaway et al. 1991]. Many studies confirm that poorly refined mineral oil can induce skin and scrotal cancers after prolonged, repeated, and heavy direct contact with the skin [ACGIH 1991]. In addition, repeated dermal exposures may result in dermatitis [Genium 1985]. Aspiration of mineral oil mists into the lungs can result in blue coloration of the skin, rapid heartbeat, fever, and chemical pneumonia possibly followed by a secondary infection [Genium 1985; Sittig 1991]. Ingestion will cause a burning sensation in the mouth, throat, and stomach followed by vomiting, diarrhea, and belching [Sittig 1991]. IARC has concluded that there is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of untreated and mildly treated oils in humans, but inadequate evidence for highly-refined oils [IARC 1987]. * Signs and symptoms of exposure 1. Acute exposure: Acute exposures to mineral oil mists may result in eye, skin, or upper respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, or the respiratory distress associated with chemical pneumonia. Aspiration may result in fever, rapid heartbeat, or cyanosis. 2. Chronic exposure: Chronic exposures to mineral oil mists may result in skin irritation or dermatitis, shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, or tachypnea. " Dr Joe .
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 16, 2009 7:51:05 GMT -5
Dr Joe, that's why the food grade, synthetic mineral oils are safest. The horse products are food grade and poured through a tube into the horse's stomach by the gallon (no spoon, Rick).
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Post by catmandewe on Nov 16, 2009 17:14:18 GMT -5
Hey Dave, Chainsaw oil is way too thick. The stuff you want is thin, pours like water. Tony
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Nov 16, 2009 17:42:53 GMT -5
Howdy all, Went by Tractor Supply and our local horse supply place . Both carry the mineral oil but it's actually more costly than Covington Rockhound oil even when considering shipping. Finally found the WalMart Equate baby oil. It comes in 20 oz bottles, appears to have little enough viscosity and works out to about $16.50 per gallon. If I can find enough to fill my saw, that might work out pretty well. The search has been interesting anyway....Mel
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 16, 2009 19:13:16 GMT -5
I was given a 6 gallon bucket of turbine oil. It seems light enough, anybody see any problems with it?
Lee
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drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
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Post by drjo on Nov 16, 2009 21:35:09 GMT -5
Find out exactly what it's made of before using it!
Dr Joe
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