DeanW
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2007
Posts: 721
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Post by DeanW on Oct 10, 2008 21:52:23 GMT -5
So, what is the "best" way to get the oil out/off of pieces after taking them out of the slab saw. I've tried a couple of things and am not too pleased with the results so far.
I've always heard before that kitty litter (old style non-clumping) works great, but doesn't seem to be so for me. I've also been dropping the pieces into a 5-gallon bucket with liquid soap (Dawn) and water. This seems to be working a little better, but not fast enough for me. Am I being to impatient or ?
Dean
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goofie1
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2006
Posts: 189
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Post by goofie1 on Oct 10, 2008 22:25:14 GMT -5
i have used simple green, that seems to work. ralph and mary ann
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Post by bobby1 on Oct 10, 2008 22:37:16 GMT -5
I've always just used the plain old cheapie cat litter. You have to move the slab around a bit to get good contact with the litter. Leave it in the litter ovrnight and you should be happy with the results. Bob
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Post by johnjsgems on Oct 10, 2008 22:40:22 GMT -5
I combine both. A day or two in the cheapest kitty litter I can find then overnight in a good degreasing detergent like Simple Green.
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Post by Tweetiepy on Oct 10, 2008 23:02:19 GMT -5
The rock shop uses kitty litter - works great
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Wolfden
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2007
Posts: 1,368
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Post by Wolfden on Oct 11, 2008 11:42:08 GMT -5
How does the litter work ? do you just cover the slabs in it ?
Thanks Dennis
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Post by stonesthatrock on Oct 11, 2008 12:39:10 GMT -5
heres what ralph made and filled it up with kitty litter. Just bury the slabs in there while your cutting more. I use it everyday......all day lol
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Post by bobby1 on Oct 11, 2008 14:50:45 GMT -5
One precaution: Keep litter pan away from cats or else.......... Bob
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Post by Bikerrandy on Oct 11, 2008 16:53:54 GMT -5
I use Dawn, hot water and a tooth brush. I drip some dawn straight onto the slab, scrub it around with the tooth brush, and continue to scrub while I'm wrinsing it off with hot water.
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spicer m
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2008
Posts: 337
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Post by spicer m on Oct 11, 2008 22:23:52 GMT -5
I use ASOME, Comes in 20oz bottle at most any dollar store for a dollar. also some have it in gallon jugs. You can dilute it like simple green. I use it to degrease my truck engine, be carfull it will dull paint if put on full strength.
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DeanW
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2007
Posts: 721
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Post by DeanW on Oct 11, 2008 22:30:30 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies folks. Sounds like I need more litter. Tony (catmandewe) I'm hoping you'll chime in also.
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Oct 12, 2008 21:11:10 GMT -5
We leave our slabs in kitty litter overnight and then soak in mean green or fast orange for several hours. You can scrub with a vegetable brush under running water to remove any residue .
Harley
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Oct 12, 2008 21:18:55 GMT -5
I forgot the keep the pan ( OFF ) the floor part. This is a VERRRRRRY important bit of information if your wife happens to have a cat ( or ) a pet hedge Hog.
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Post by catmandewe on Oct 12, 2008 22:38:30 GMT -5
I don't know if this is the right way or not, but I throw all my slabs into a 5 gal bucket with soapy water, (of course after a few days it becomes oily water.) Then when it gets too full, or I get some time, I pour all the oil and water out, refill the bucket with soapy water, then I take the slabs out and put them in the kitchen sink and get a scrubber and scrub them under hot water, this takes all the oil and sludge off. Then, and this is very important..................you lay all the slabs out on a table and take pictures, so we can see what you are cutting. The slabs have then been properly degreased...........................Tony
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DeanW
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2007
Posts: 721
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Post by DeanW on Oct 13, 2008 0:10:59 GMT -5
Thanks Tony. I am trying to photo stuff before it gets attacked by my wife but lately she's been polishing faster than I can cut lol. We have a show this coming weekend soooooo.
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knapper42
starting to shine!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 36
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Post by knapper42 on Oct 13, 2008 20:53:58 GMT -5
I keep a plastic pan next to my saws with about 1/2 inch of degreaser in it and let the slab soak until the next slab comes off. After soaking in the degreaser I put the slab in a pan of kitty litter to dry. I heat treat most of my slabs for flintknapping. If the slabs weren't clean I would have a real problem with smell and smoke from any residue.
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oldgrouchy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 240
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Post by oldgrouchy on Oct 15, 2008 18:46:36 GMT -5
I guess I am cheaper than most, BUT I buy 50 lb. bags of oil dry from Sam's Club for a few bucks and use it to soak up the oil. Much cheaper than cat litter and actually works better-in my opinion. I salvaged an old 9X12 pan from my cast off cookware and fill it 3/4 full so I can bury the slabs in it. The next day they get washed off in a bucket with dishwashing detergent and warm water and they do not smell or show oil.
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DeanW
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2007
Posts: 721
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Post by DeanW on Oct 24, 2008 0:43:05 GMT -5
All great tips. Thanks.
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