darstcreek77
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2011
Posts: 673
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Post by darstcreek77 on Dec 31, 2011 23:23:31 GMT -5
I got my saw up and running in garage >>> wrong >>> mist was so bad I had to move it out side I am useing light mineral oil is it dangerous to breath that mist ?? Cut a big pc of mex crazy agate , also some rio grand agate (gold) and some pet wood ! pictures tomorrow !
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Post by Bikerrandy on Dec 31, 2011 23:43:45 GMT -5
I don't think that it's too dangerous. I've been breathing it for about 6 years, but the mist isn't really all that bad in my garage.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 1, 2012 0:13:14 GMT -5
Try adding a little Bardahl No Smoke motor oil additive, it will get rid of most of the mist. I use about 1/2 a bottle with fresh oil in my 18" saw that takes about 3 gallons or so of oil.
Lee
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keystonecops
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2010
Posts: 957
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Post by keystonecops on Jan 1, 2012 0:16:40 GMT -5
Im like Randy. I breathe a little of mineral oil mist. Ya know they give to horses with a belly ache? Make sure ya got a spare bathroom LMAO. Later Clyde
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darstcreek77
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2011
Posts: 673
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Post by darstcreek77 on Jan 1, 2012 7:51:41 GMT -5
thanks Lee Will give it a try !
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StoneCrazy
spending too much on rocks
Stone Crazy
Member since July 2011
Posts: 331
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Post by StoneCrazy on Jan 1, 2012 13:32:05 GMT -5
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 1, 2012 14:09:06 GMT -5
The type of mineral oil commonly used for lapidary saws is of the highly refined type. There is very low risk of harm from using it or breathing the vapors in a ventilated environment. The risk of harm is only from using or breathing vapors of unrefined or only slightly refined mineral oil. And then when used in a closed environment over an 8 hour period. How many of us cut rocks in a closed box for 8 hours non stop ?
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Post by FrogAndBearCreations on Jan 1, 2012 14:42:57 GMT -5
I use a vapor/mist mask when cutting with both oil and water!
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 1, 2012 21:19:45 GMT -5
As Don said the medical or technical grade mineral oil reccomended for rock cutting is not so much an issue, they are not listed in the OSHA bulletin. However hydraulic oil, machinist cutting oil, transformer oil, the types of oils some of us have used to save a few bucks are the hazardous ones. Still, a paper nuisance filter to catch most of the airborne mist is a good idea anyway.
Lee
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rykk
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 428
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Post by rykk on Jan 5, 2012 23:46:58 GMT -5
You should wear a respirator - The mist also carries a lot of rock/quartz dust in it and silicosis sounds like no fun at all... Rick
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rockhound97058
freely admits to licking rocks
Thundereggs - Oregons Official State Rock!
Member since January 2006
Posts: 760
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Post by rockhound97058 on Jan 6, 2012 1:27:35 GMT -5
I run Diesel in all my saws and it has a terrible (Misting/fog) once the cut completes. I use STP Oil Treatment myself and it almost completely eliminates the fogging. One of my saws is outside under a awning so I just let it fog and maybe it'll eliminate my neighbors who seem to be Meth Addicts!
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Post by frane on Jan 6, 2012 8:31:06 GMT -5
If you use a mask, it will capture any particulates that are floating around. on warm enough days, you can have windows open or garage door open if that is where you cut rocks. As much as I like to do non stop cutting, I tend to do a few with my 10 inch and turn it off for a break while cutting smaller pieces with my tile saw and water. I get my mineral oil by the gallon at tractor supply in the horse section. Fran
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LarryS
freely admits to licking rocks
SoCal desert rats
Member since August 2010
Posts: 781
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Post by LarryS on Jan 6, 2012 11:19:20 GMT -5
I run water & Lube Cool in my 10" Covington and the mist was pretty bad. Ended up going to Home Depot and buying some clear Lexan sheets and sealed up all the openings in the cover. Used silicone to stick everything together. Took care of 95% of the problem. I have a hunch that Lube Cool is biodegradable automotive anti freeze and they just stick it in a new container. It does mess up my sinuses and have to blow my nose often. Health wise, snorting Lube Cool is probably worse than oil. LarryS
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Post by rocklicker on Jan 6, 2012 14:26:16 GMT -5
I also have been breathing mineral oil mist for a few years. When I have the saw running for long periods it really hangs in the air. My wife got me a respirator and I wear that now, bless her heart. Dangerous or not, it's probably wise to avoid breathing it.
Larry, awesome hood modification! Steve
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Post by beefjello on Jan 6, 2012 20:33:01 GMT -5
I run a big fan in my garage while the slab saw's going and keep the doors open. I use a food grade mineral oil that's been recycled a time or two. I squirt a bit of baby oil in it when it gets too stinky It's funny, I always take a deep breath before I open the hood to grab the latest slab (like I'm going under water), and turn my head towards the fan while advancing the rough for the next cut. If I'm spending my whole day slabbing I sometimes get the sinus irritation like Larry described, but usually it's pretty mild.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jan 16, 2012 11:19:35 GMT -5
Gotta disagree with you slightly, Lee. What most of us use is "white mineral oil", which is the second type listed in the bulletin.
But, I also agree that as hobbyists our exposure is pretty limited. Good advice by all on adequate ventilation and respirators.
Chuck
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darstcreek77
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2011
Posts: 673
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Post by darstcreek77 on Jan 17, 2012 7:49:48 GMT -5
I buy mine from tractor supply its used to make horses go poop !
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Jasper-hound
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 208
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Post by Jasper-hound on Jan 19, 2012 8:09:04 GMT -5
I keep my slab saws outside under my awning and also hold my breath when pulling out the slab. When the mist has dissipated, I return to the area and adjust the carriage for the next cut and restart the saw.
A bigger issue for me is my trim saw. I use a paper mask, but I don't think that is good enough. I do not think mineral oil is supposed to be in the lungs. I use Pella oil but am going to switch to food grade mineral oil this year. I am also looking closely at getting a water-based trim saw, such as the one made by Ameritool. I also like the DP Wizard but it is very expensive. I do sometimes use one of my two tile saws to trim but have not found a blade that cuts agate well using only water and not oil.
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Post by Rockoonz on Jan 19, 2012 10:00:41 GMT -5
Any 6 inch or smaller trim saw is fine with water, and most 8 inch saws as well. If you use a sintered diamond blade, sometimes called continuous rim, it will last a long time using water as long as you don't push too hard when cutting, you should only be using about the force it takes to push a plate away after dinner. If you use the additives to inhibit rust it will also increase blade life. The only thing I cut with straight water is opal.
For a little more money you can get masks for mists, I use them in the smaller sized paint booth where I work and they do a good job for light exposure.
Lee
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jan 26, 2012 22:18:43 GMT -5
Okay, just when you thought we had beaten this topic to death... I called Lube Tech today to get another 5 gallons of their "Mineral Seal Oil", which is a white paraffin oil, reputedly OEM'd to the lapidary industry as a cutting oil. I've been using it for the last couple of years and I've been very happy with it. Last time I bought it I paid about $50 or $55 for 5 gallons. Today it's $75 after tax. So, I started thinking about the cheap hydraulic fluid at Tractor Supply. I've never worn a respirator, but for less than half the cost of the Lube-Tech oil, I'm tempted to start: www.tractorsupply.com/xtreme-reg-tractor-hydraulic-transmission-fluid-5-gal--8060004$26 for 5 gallons Chuck
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