ashley
Cave Dweller 
Member since February 2023
Posts: 937 
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Post by ashley on Mar 24, 2023 10:47:08 GMT -5
Cutting rocks with an oil saw. We put them in cat litter as soon as they came out. But the rock absorbed the oil is there anyway to get that out? Is there certain rocks that’s best not to do on an oil saw? Thanks!
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Post by chris1956 on Mar 24, 2023 12:50:42 GMT -5
Well, that is a good question and I am sure someone here will have a good answer. I have only been making stuff for family and friends and have used mostly low quality rocks that I have found myself. Because of this, I have typically stabilized the material with Catus Juice resin before cutting. After cutting in oil, I wipe them down and then let them set in a bowl with paper towels on the bottom for a few days. Haven't worried about it but maybe I should. I think I have read other threads about putting them in kitty litter and then cleaning with acetone before stabilizing slabs with something like Opticon.
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gunsil
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2023
Posts: 345
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Post by gunsil on Mar 24, 2023 13:18:48 GMT -5
Yes, soaking slabs in hot water with detergent will get the oil out. I have a container for smaller slabs (up to about 5x6") in the slop sink my clothes washing machine empties into. The exhaust water hose from washing machine points straight into the container of slabs. I just throw slabs in there after the kitty litter and after a couple washes they are clean. Dawn is maybe the best oil removing detergent, soaking your slabs in hot water and dawn works well too. The container I use in the sink is about 6x12" and only 3" deep and I make sure there is room for soapy water to circulate among the slabs and I rearrange the slabs after each wash. The thinner container allows for most of the water to go back in the sink and drain away.
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hypodactylus
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2021
Posts: 479
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Post by hypodactylus on Mar 24, 2023 16:16:35 GMT -5
I don't personally have an oil saw, but I have acquired pieces that have clearly been cut with oil. Therefore, my experience is limited.
I honestly haven't had much luck soaking pieces in Dawn soap and warm water; they still smell strongly of oil when I am done.
I currently have a couple specimens sitting in Oil-Dri (similar to kitty litter, made of clay). They have been there a while as I wait for warmer weather in which to rinse them off outside. I plan to soak them in Dawn afterwards. I am hoping this works.
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,818 
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Post by Mark K on Mar 24, 2023 16:47:15 GMT -5
As you cut them, wipe them off and scrub them with dish soap. More soap than you would use for dishes of course. Get one of those cheap dish washing brushes from wal mart to scrub them with. Easy to do and works great.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Mar 24, 2023 17:07:26 GMT -5
Since I'm not a huge fan of softer material I generally won't cut anything that absorbs oil (as it probably won't take a shine anyway). I just toss my slabs in kitty litter for a couple hours (ok usually overnight) then scrub with warm water and dawn and a toothbrush. Probably the best way to remove oil from absorbent rock is to soak in dawn for several days.
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Post by vegasjames on Mar 24, 2023 20:04:03 GMT -5
We use oil absorbants first then wash the slabs in water with Dawn soap then rinse. If the stone is soft and porous though I cut those rocks with water. For example, the copper ores.
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ashley
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2023
Posts: 937
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Post by ashley on Mar 24, 2023 23:36:36 GMT -5
Thanks guys!  |
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 1, 2023 16:49:28 GMT -5
I use kitty litter, than hot water with Dawn soap, than fresh water and let dry...
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Apr 1, 2023 19:49:04 GMT -5
I'm too impatient for all of that. I just squeegee off the oil from the slabs. Then wipe the slabs off with a paper towel and put them in a repurposed one gallon plastic ice cream tub with about 1/2" of lacquer thinner in the bottom. Let the slabs sit in the thinner until the next slabs are sawn. Then using neoprene coated gloves, remove the slabs from the thinner and wipe them down with a clean paper towel and wa-lah. The oil is gone. When the lacquer thinner gets so dirty it starts turning yellow I replace it.
(*Only use lacquer thinner in a well ventilated area away from sparks or flame and read the safety instructions on the label.)
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