rattlehead
starting to spend too much on rocks
MI Rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 213
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Post by rattlehead on Dec 22, 2010 8:48:53 GMT -5
I just got a hold of a trim saw that requires oil coolant or can be used with water and a rust inhibitor additive. Can someone tell me what they would recommend and also, where I may buy these products. I went down to my local Home Depot and they had no clue and I have no lapidary type shops in my area.
Thanks in advance if you can help!
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 22, 2010 10:05:17 GMT -5
First of all, what size blade does your saw have ? Up to 10" you can get away with straight water. Just be sure to drain the water each day before you put the saw away. It doesn't hurt to turn the saw on for a few seconds after draining, to throw any remaining water drops off the blade. If you want to use a rust inhibitor, it can be gotten through any of the lapidary catalogs. I use Kingsley North. Try Googling them, and you can order their catalog, or you can shop online. Don
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Post by johnjsgems on Dec 22, 2010 10:18:21 GMT -5
What Don said. I spray my blades after draining water with WD40. It stands for "water displacement" but also leaves an oily film on the blade. If you cut agates/jaspers and want to use oil any lightweight mineral oil will work. Fill only to cover cutting rim of blade to cut down on spray. Commonly found oils include baby oil, light hydraulic oil, mineral oil from feed store. Food grade or tech grade mineral oils are good if you can find a local source.
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marinedad
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 813
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Post by marinedad on Dec 22, 2010 11:49:31 GMT -5
i use mineral oil for my 6" trim and my 14" slab saw bought from farm and feed store. around me it's about 17.00 per gallon.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 22, 2010 15:09:27 GMT -5
The typical drawback to using oil in a trim saw is that you normally don't have a lid and the oil mists. So, if you don't want to inhale the mist or have it coat things, water with or without a rust inhibitor (or water soluble oil) is the way to go.
Chuck
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Post by MyNewHobby on Dec 22, 2010 18:48:29 GMT -5
Thanks for asking this question. I am always looking for good tips and ideas on how to maintain equipment. Especially if it sits dormant for a while.
As always!
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rattlehead
starting to spend too much on rocks
MI Rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 213
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Post by rattlehead on Dec 22, 2010 21:59:41 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies. All have been very helpful.
I have a 10" blade. I may try the water/rust inhibitor route first
Thanks again!
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Post by jakesrocks on Dec 22, 2010 22:59:28 GMT -5
If you plan on using that saw around anything that could be damaged by oil spray, water is the only way to go. If you decide to change over to oil later, have an old set of clothes that will be used only for cutting. Your wife ain't gonna like you if you start loading the washing machine with oil soaked clothes.
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Post by johnjsgems on Dec 23, 2010 10:00:52 GMT -5
I don't have any metal bodied trim saws anymore but when I did I really liked having food grade mineral oil in the saw and ready to go. If I wanted to cut one rock it was much easier than filling the saw, draining/cleaning after. When I had only one 10" saw I would use water only for oil sensitive rocks and oil for everything else. I used the Diamond Pacific Roc-Oil which is now way too high priced. It was about $20 a gal. then and one gallon lasted a log time.
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papat
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2010
Posts: 261
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Post by papat on Dec 24, 2010 14:33:28 GMT -5
I use min. oil from tractor supply 14.50 gal
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