mikeinsjc
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 329
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Post by mikeinsjc on Oct 13, 2010 11:33:05 GMT -5
I purchased an 18" slab saw and need to purchase some cutting oil, about ten gallons or so. Do I really need to spend $18-25 per gallon on this stuff, or is there a cheaper alternative? What do you folks use?
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Post by jakesrocks on Oct 13, 2010 12:04:19 GMT -5
Go to your nearest Tractor Supply store and buy 10 gallons of tractor hydraulic oil. It's mineral oil, very similar to the highly refined mineral oil sold in lapidary supply catalogs for $90 + for 5 gallons.It just isn't as highly refined, and has a slight odor. Don
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 13, 2010 12:05:35 GMT -5
you might get down into $12-$14 range with careful shopping, and 5gal containers.
I really like STE-70 low viscosity white mineral - no smell, almost food grade.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Oct 13, 2010 12:52:32 GMT -5
There are many, many threads on this topic. Some folks recommend Shingle Oil, others use hydraulic fluid from OReilly. I use Mineral Seal Oil from LubeTech.
You need a relatively high flash point and the fewer additives the better because you'll end up breathing fumes sooner or later.
Chuck
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Oct 13, 2010 14:41:49 GMT -5
I have shopped all over and about the cheapest I have found is in the 7-8 bucks a gallon range,in 5 gal buckets at Carquest and Oreillys.This is hydraulic fluid and is all I've used,no problems.
snuffy
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jcinpc
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2009
Posts: 722
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Post by jcinpc on Oct 13, 2010 14:44:30 GMT -5
water with some rust inhibitor
seriously there must be over 10 threads on this one subject
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Oct 13, 2010 15:55:11 GMT -5
Yeah, if I get the time I'll write something up and ask Sands to make a sticky.
Chuck
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,484
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Post by Sabre52 on Oct 13, 2010 16:15:51 GMT -5
Others may disagree but I tried hydraulic oil in my old 20" saw and the viscosity was too high. I'm not mechanically inclined though and maybe there are lower viscosity forms I didn't find. The hydraulic oil I tried was fairly smelly and being thicker than my usual Covington Rockhound oil, picked up more sediment and quickly caused binding in the cuts. I do have a buddy that uses hydraulic fluid in his 36" saw though with no problems. I always figured that is because the 36" blade is real thick and the wider kerf might tend to jamb less but I don't really know. I finally just went back to Rockhound oil as they deliver right to my doorstep, it's not smelly, and works better than any other stuff I've tried. It is pretty pricey though at about $20 per gallon delivered.....Mel
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Post by stonesthatrock on Oct 13, 2010 16:42:28 GMT -5
with all the cutting we do, almost 24/7 we use the mineral grade oil. Its less expensive and works well for us. We have to buy it from Western States Oil Co.
mary ann
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 13, 2010 17:59:02 GMT -5
water with some rust inhibitor seriously there must be over 10 threads on this one subject And the overwhelming conclusion in all of these threads is that water is not a good solution above 10" saw size.
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Rockpox
starting to shine!
Member since March 2010
Posts: 38
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Post by Rockpox on Oct 13, 2010 18:18:10 GMT -5
I have been using Diala AX for 3 years with no problems. It is a Shell product minimal odor and thin consistency. It is around $10.00 a gallon in 5 gallon pails. Just look up a local oil supplier and see what they have. I tried hyraulic oil when I first started and it was too thick and I burned up a blade. I found the better oil cheaper than another replacement blade.
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jcinpc
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2009
Posts: 722
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Post by jcinpc on Oct 13, 2010 22:31:48 GMT -5
water with some rust inhibitor seriously there must be over 10 threads on this one subject And the overwhelming conclusion in all of these threads is that water is not a good solution above 10" saw size. never saw that mentioned before and it has worked fine for me and my 16 inch saw for almost a year, same blade and cuts smooooooth.Works for Lopacki and his 24 inch saw for over 25 years, use what you want and when another thread pops up I will answer with the same every time
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Oct 14, 2010 11:04:29 GMT -5
I had a conversation with a VP at MK/Barranca and he did not recommend water with or without additives (e.g. LubeKool) for any of their blades, regardless of size.
But, I also believe there is no substitute for empirical results. If it works for you, that's great!!!
Chuck
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jcinpc
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2009
Posts: 722
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Post by jcinpc on Oct 14, 2010 12:03:15 GMT -5
thats all Im saying
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hipejones
off to a rocking start
Member since October 2010
Posts: 1
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Post by hipejones on Oct 15, 2010 1:38:07 GMT -5
I've been using mineral oil light that I get at Tractor Supply Co.in the horse health care section. It's used as a laxitive. It's light, clear, orderless and does not irritate my skin. Costs $15 a gallon, so I guess there is no great cost advantage but is much easier for me to get. It filters well with the paper bag method. Also, I glued 2 inches of styrofoan to about half of the bottom of the tank and surrounded this with 1/4 inch lexan. It takes up space so that I don't need as much to fill tank. Cleaning the oil is more frequent, but I don't mind.
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