QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Sept 22, 2012 23:11:30 GMT -5
I use about 25 gallons of saw oil per year and have been using recycled Transformer oil, which is an industrial grade mineral oil, on my larger saws. I have ran out and my local power company tells me that it now all goes to a central location and if I understood her correctly they now sell it all to one buyer (my guess China). Anyhow I've spent all totaled about three days researching and trying to locate a new cutting oil. I live in the Piedmont area of North Carolina which used to be an Industrial area and once upon a time I could easily find pretty much ANY industrial product locally. That is up until Free-Trade shut down all of the factories so the remaining suppliers no longer stock the varieties they used to. Now it gets frustrating try to find parts and supplies locally. I am sure others are experiencing the same thing in their areas of the country. I've checked with oil companies, restaurant suppliers, electrical supply companies, home improvement stores, auto suppliers and anyone else I could think of. The only oil supplier who has been willing to order a 55 gallon drum for me (Citgo Clarion 70) gave me a price of $806.30 which works out to $14.66 per gallon which seems very expensive, and said it would take at least four weeks. The same oil company said they had an old barrel of Hytherm 46-T oil they would sell me for $8.00 per gallon but after reading the Material Safety Data Sheet on it I think I should pass on that one. O'Reilly auto parts show five gallon pails on their web site for $88.99 which is $17.80 per gallon. I called the local O'Reilly's store and they don't stock it. Said they would check on ordering it and call me back but never did. I can get one gallon jugs of Tractor Supply's IDEAL brand Light Mineral Oil for about the same price per gallon as O'Reilly's price on Clairon 70 but at that price that would have to be just to hold me over until/if I can find a better price somewhere. I have used Tractor Supply's Light Mineral Oil my trim saws but I don't know how it will do on my 14" and 18" saws. Has anyone used this oil on larger saws and if so what were the results? Or does anyone have any better suggestions? Thanks!
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Post by christopherl1234 on Sept 23, 2012 0:21:28 GMT -5
I use a product called pump oil from Citco. It is basically a technical grade mineral oil and runs me about $40 a 5 gallon bucket. The price fluctuates from time to time. It went as high as $64 a pail once. I just waited it out. I always have a spare on had for moments such as that.
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Post by sheltie on Sept 23, 2012 8:36:41 GMT -5
I use about 25 gallons of saw oil per year and have been using recycled Transformer oil, which is an industrial grade mineral oil, on my larger saws. I have ran out and my local power company tells me that it now all goes to a central location and if I understood her correctly they now sell it all to one buyer (my guess China). Anyhow I've spent all totaled about three days researching and trying to locate a new cutting oil. I live in the Piedmont area of North Carolina which used to be an Industrial area and once upon a time I could easily find pretty much ANY industrial product locally. That is up until Free-Trade shut down all of the factories so the remaining suppliers no longer stock the varieties they used to. Now it gets frustrating try to find parts and supplies locally. I am sure others are experiencing the same thing in their areas of the country. I've checked with oil companies, restaurant suppliers, electrical supply companies, home improvement stores, auto suppliers and anyone else I could think of. The only oil supplier who has been willing to order a 55 gallon drum for me (Citgo Clarion 70) gave me a price of $806.30 which works out to $14.66 per gallon which seems very expensive, and said it would take at least four weeks. The same oil company said they had an old barrel of Hytherm 46-T oil they would sell me for $8.00 per gallon but after reading the Material Safety Data Sheet on it I think I should pass on that one. O'Reilly auto parts show five gallon pails on their web site for $88.99 which is $17.80 per gallon. I called the local O'Reilly's store and they don't stock it. Said they would check on ordering it and call me back but never did. I can get one gallon jugs of Tractor Supply's IDEAL brand Light Mineral Oil for about the same price per gallon as O'Reilly's price on Clairon 70 but at that price that would have to be just to hold me over until/if I can find a better price somewhere. I have used Tractor Supply's Light Mineral Oil my trim saws but I don't know how it will do on my 14" and 18" saws. Has anyone used this oil on larger saws and if so what were the results? Or does anyone have any better suggestions? Thanks! This site www.mil-specproducts.com/products/SHELL-DIALA-OIL-AX may be helpful. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2012 12:17:55 GMT -5
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Sept 23, 2012 16:48:36 GMT -5
The DIALA OIL S2 ZX-A has a higher health hazard rating than purer mineral oils like Clarion 70. I don't have mechanical ventilation and run 4 to 5 saws at the same time so the health risk from the mist is a concern.
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Post by sheltie on Sept 23, 2012 18:36:42 GMT -5
Hmmm. That brought up something I hadn't considered - ventilation. Since I'll be working in the garage with the door open, I would think I would be ok. If all else fails, I could set up a fan to direct any fumes, mist, etc to the outside. The saw is set up within about two feet of the garage door.
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Post by johnjsgems on Sept 23, 2012 21:59:53 GMT -5
Can't help with local oil source but I've heard good reports on Chevron Superla #7 and Chevron Cutbrite.
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herb
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 476
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Post by herb on Sept 24, 2012 12:33:33 GMT -5
After not having any luck finding mineral oil for less than $19/gallon where I live, I went to a local oil products supplier and bought what they call "base oil" for $7/gallon, Base oil is what they start with and then add other chemicals to to get the various other kinds of oils they sell. It comes in 2 thickness's. I don't off hand remember the viscosity, but I opted for the thinner one which is basically water like in thickness. It has a very slight yellow tint to it and is oderless. Seems to work pretty good in my 18" saw.
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riverbendlapidary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,058
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Post by riverbendlapidary on Sept 24, 2012 12:57:02 GMT -5
always run a fan to draw fumes out of your shop. never seen a saw that didn't leak fumes, although adding some no-smoke helps.
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Post by phil on Sept 24, 2012 16:10:00 GMT -5
We buy our mineral oil from the veterinary supply house.... $14 per gallon. And since it's used internally in animals as a laxative, no health problems for us humans (animals also). No smell, and since we changed, our blades are lasting a lot longer! It's really just baby oil without the perfume added.
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riverbendlapidary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,058
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Post by riverbendlapidary on Sept 24, 2012 18:16:56 GMT -5
you don't want to be breathing fumes or mist from any kind of oil
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Sept 25, 2012 19:23:14 GMT -5
That's a good tip Herb. Thank you! Today I got a lead on an oil company that has 900 gallons of Citgo Duoprime 90 food grade mineral oil, which is now sold as Citgo Clarion mineral oil. It is old stock and at a good price. I should know for sure in a couple of days and if it works out I'll post their contact info here.
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Post by rocklicker on Sept 26, 2012 19:24:19 GMT -5
I also use horse laxitive. Nice viscosity and if you have a stopped up horse just let him drink from the saw ;D
I used to use a mixture of mineral oil and baby oil from Target/Walmart. I sorta miss the saw smelling like baby.
Steve
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QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
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Post by QuailRiver on Sept 27, 2012 12:01:49 GMT -5
I just got delivery of a 55 gallon drum of Citgo Duoprime 90 Food Grade Mineral Oil from Hutchens Petroleum in Stuart, VA. They are over 80 miles away but since I was near one of their normal delivery routes they delivered the barrel to my car port for only a $5.88 fuel surcharge fee. The total cost including sales tax, and fees was $583.52 which was a very good price compared to all of the other quotes I got for Food Grade Mineral Oil. This oil is the same as what is now sold as Clarion Food Grade Mineral Oil but the distributor purchased this batch a couple of years ago when the price of oil was cheaper and before the name was changed to Clarion. Therefore they were able to sell it a lower price than the Clarion is currently. They told me they had around 900 gallons left and when this is gone, it's gone. They will still be able to get it under the Clarion name but the price will be different. So if you are in the Virginia/North Carolina area and are needing a drum of saw oil, these folks were very nice to work with. Their phone number is 1-800-537-7433.
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slabbercabber
starting to shine!
Member since March 2010
Posts: 30
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Post by slabbercabber on Oct 3, 2012 18:59:18 GMT -5
Mineral oil is distilled from highly refined oil such as Almag or Pella. The distillation process removes MOST of the volatile components. You still do not want to breath it. Hydraulic oil contains multiple additives to increase temperature resistance, oxidation and thickening. It also contains long chain molecules to keep the viscosity low. Please read the MSDS on any oil you put in your saw. They are available easily with a very minimal web search. I would not use hydraulic oil on a bet, not even outside. Transformer oil is extremely variable and can have almost any additives depending on who makes it and for what exact purpose. If you do not have the original specs, leave it alone. The only truly safe lubricant is water, but at least understand that whatever you use you should always obtain the MSDS and be sure it is as safe as possible. I use a private label Almag from a local industrial supplier. Not especially cheap, but at least I know what I'm getting.
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Oct 3, 2012 22:57:29 GMT -5
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Post by deb193redux on Oct 4, 2012 8:53:41 GMT -5
The Su-Per is pretty much the same as Ideal mineral oil sold at Farm Tractor Supply. Same price too.
If you have a store nearby, picking up to save shipping is good. The stores often only have 1 or 2 gallons at at time. Might ask them to order some and wait a week to be sure of getting it.
Sometimes it goes on sale for $13.99. Once it was selling for $11.99.
While viscosity 50 is better than viscosity 70, it is only a little bit. If you have several big saws, chasing down some super-light or something 41 or $2/gal cheaper can be worth the effort.
For my LS10 and LS12 I need about 4 gal total. I filter and try to wipe oil off of slabs (back into saw), so I only buy a new gallon every 6 months or so.
I am not convinced that saving about $2 to $6 dollars a year is worth even 5 minutes of my time. Sometimes you get good enough, and save enough, and clean enough, and then focus on the areas where real savings and/or much better results are possible - like the blade quality, or stabilizing the rough, or a better clamp.
For the home hobbyist with 10" 12" or 16" saws this is just not an area worth fussing a lot over.
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Post by gingerkid on Oct 5, 2012 0:05:31 GMT -5
I also use horse laxitive. Nice viscosity and if you have a stopped up horse just let him drink from the saw ;D I used to use a mixture of mineral oil and baby oil from Target/Walmart. I sorta miss the saw smelling like baby. Steve ROFL!! You can purchase "horse laxative" in a gallon size at Tractor Supply. Does mineral oil have a shelf life?? |
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The Dad_Ohs
fully equipped rock polisher
Take me to your Labradorite!!
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,860
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Post by The Dad_Ohs on Oct 5, 2012 7:54:17 GMT -5
The Su-Per is pretty much the same as Ideal mineral oil sold at Farm Tractor Supply. Same price too. If you have a store nearby, picking up to save shipping is good. The stores often only have 1 or 2 gallons at at time. Might ask them to order some and wait a week to be sure of getting it. Sometimes it goes on sale for $13.99. Once it was selling for $11.99. While viscosity 50 is better than viscosity 70, it is only a little bit. If you have several big saws, chasing down some super-light or something 41 or $2/gal cheaper can be worth the effort. For my LS10 and LS12 I need about 4 gal total. I filter and try to wipe oil off of slabs (back into saw), so I only buy a new gallon every 6 months or so. I am not convinced that saving about $2 to $6 dollars a year is worth even 5 minutes of my time. Sometimes you get good enough, and save enough, and clean enough, and then focus on the areas where real savings and/or much better results are possible - like the blade quality, or stabilizing the rough, or a better clamp. For the home hobbyist with 10" 12" or 16" saws this is just not an area worth fussing a lot over. I have the LS18 and the oil capacity on it is only 3 gallons... I wwas also lucky that the previous owner had drained all the ooil into glass jars and with it sitting as long as it did the sediment all settled to the bottom and I was able to reuse the oil without buying more... now I am getting to where I am cutting between10 & 30 slabs/day and I know I'll need new oil at some point.... so I'm loking too... unfortunately the TSC near me isn't open yet.. it's still under construction and the next one is about 30+ miles away.. so I am saving up to make the trip out there, I just need a few more items on my list to justify the trip out there. |
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 20, 2012 20:08:06 GMT -5
My local Pella supplier has a Conoco product called Industrial oil 100 for $10.62 a gallon in pails. He says it's comparable to Pella A. I'm going to try a couple pails as soon as they get it in,
Lee
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