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Post by tortuga on Jan 10, 2011 10:05:59 GMT -5
Turns out my ancient 14" Covington saw is actually intended to be a 16". I'm filling it up with the 16oz bottles of USP mineral oil from walmart (laxative). Since I'm having to get so many bottles, it's taking a while as my wally world isn't the most responsive on stocking. With the smaller blade, would it probably be OK to put a brick or two or something in the coolant chamber to save me a few bottles of the stuff? How much of the blade should I shoot to dip into the coolant? Figure an inch or an inch and a half into the oil would be good?
First time refilling this thing since I've gotten it cleaned up. It's still in pieces at the moment waiting for sandblasting and repainting, but the fill might be in the next week if I can get the rest of the oil I need and get the parts cleaned and back together. Thinking ahead!
Thanks!
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Post by sandsman1 on Jan 10, 2011 10:49:34 GMT -5
I fill my saw to cover about a 1/4 inch of the blade -- i don't see why you cant use a brick or 2 to take up some room -- shouldn't hurt anything you will need to change the oil a little sooner but thats no big deal -- don't forget to strain and reuse the oil
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Post by deb193redux on Jan 10, 2011 10:57:12 GMT -5
A 1/4" when the saw has been running for a while would be good. Just over 1/4" when all the oil is pooled in the tray.
You can use a brick, but the less oil, the more often you will clean. Saving $3 per brick in oil has to be considered against you time (and the mess) of cleaning. There is savings, but IMHO it is small.
Wal-mart or local purchases can save shipping costs, but this is offset when you have to make multiple trips, and the packaging is less efficient in terms of landfills and total eco-footprint. Also you pay loacl sales tax, and many internet pruchases can avoid this tax, which offsets shiping costs.
These 16oz bottles seem to vary form $2.99 to $4.29 (according to BizRate), which means $12 to $20 per gallon. Also, it is not quite clear what their viscosity is, and a thinner oil will need cleaning less often.
I heartily recommend STE-70 Technicl grade mineral (same as food grade but not packaged in a clean room) for $17.29/gallon. Shipping on 2 gallons is reasonable, the oil has performed well in my saws for several years, and it filters fairly well using the paperbag methods. There is not much mist, and I suppose I could ass a mist suppressant to eliminate it entirely.
happy cutting
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 10, 2011 10:57:50 GMT -5
Sure, that's real common practice to save on having to get a large quantity of oil. Buddy of mine bought an old used saw that still had oil in the tank. Thought it had bricks in it but when he went to clean it out, it turned out the previous owner had used big blocks of really primo cutting material instead of bricks. Nice bonus for him but anything that takes up volume in the tank is fine to use. I used to use big blocks of jade in my old 20"....Mel
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Post by tortuga on Jan 10, 2011 12:05:00 GMT -5
At the store the bottles are 1.56 for 16 oz. So I'm basically getting food grade mineral oil for a little over $13/gal. Flash point is a little below the lapidary mfgr's oils at just under 200 deg F, and the viscosity is in the 100-ish range (don't remember specific number but I looked at the msds and specs a few weeks ago).
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Post by rockmanken on Jan 10, 2011 12:11:16 GMT -5
Farm supply stores run about $12 gal. Found in the equine section. Used as horse lazitive. Ken
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jan 10, 2011 13:41:05 GMT -5
Horse laxative must be cheaper farther south. It's $18/gal. here at Tractor Supply.
Chuck
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Post by tortuga on Jan 10, 2011 14:18:21 GMT -5
gotta say it's much more fun going to walmart and driving a cart to the checkout with 16 bottles of laxative
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Post by deb193redux on Jan 10, 2011 14:24:19 GMT -5
Well stick with the fun. Likely there will not be too much difference. I am concerned about the 200 def F flash point. That seems very low. Are you sure it is not 200 deg C? The STE-70T oil has a flash point of 198C (388F). www.steoil.com/pdfs/techdata-crystalplus70t.pdf
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,487
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 10, 2011 18:07:45 GMT -5
Yeah, dang horse laxative was about $20 per galo9on last time I looked here....Mel
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Post by johnjsgems on Jan 10, 2011 20:01:34 GMT -5
Since you are using a 14" blade in a larger sump you will be fine. If you had a 14" saw and wanted to cut oil volume way down you would loose a lot of cooling and cutting down on the sludge being able to settle.
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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 Jan 10, 2011 22:18:51 GMT -5
Just remember not to lick your fingers ;D
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cabjunky
has rocks in the head
Regency Rose Plume
Member since November 2008
Posts: 683
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Post by cabjunky on Jan 10, 2011 22:26:58 GMT -5
absolutely, add the bricks to take up volume. The human laxative tends to be really thick, so I cut it with the equine laxative to thin it out, and add no smoke to it to cut down on misting as you cut. good luck!
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 10, 2011 23:22:19 GMT -5
Bardahl no smoke additive for motor oil. STP would probably do the same thing.
Lee
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