leadbelly713
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2011
Posts: 104
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Post by leadbelly713 on Jul 2, 2014 11:41:31 GMT -5
I finally mucked out my saw and got some more cutting done. I also decided to switch from mineral oil to refined soy bean oil, now before some of you fall to the ground laughing uncontrollably let me explain what I know so far. Refined soy bean oil is non hazardous & biodegradable, so disposing of it is easy. It only costs about seven bucks a gallon, it has a flash point of about 600 deg. compared to mineral oil's 375 or so,I've cut about 50 slabs since the change over and all the cuts were smooth, there's no sticky residue on the slabs or in the saw, soap and water cleans the stuff up real quick, I checked the blade after cutting several agate slabs and it was nice and cool, The rock grindings settle out real good, it doesn't have much of an odor that I can detect, My main concern is that being a vegetable product the stuff could possibly go rancid, but! I cut enough that I'm sure I'll be mucking the saw out again before that would ever happen if it does. So far I've been impressed with the stuff, but if anyone knows of any cons related to using the stuff I would like to hear them. Anyway! I cut some agate off the 120 pounder I showed in my last post, also cut some breccia, and some pretty cool rhyolite. I also threw in 2 pic's at the end of some jasperized pet wood I found at high elevation a couple of years ago. All the material shown wet, and is from the Idaho side of the Owyhees. see ya!
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stephent
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2014
Posts: 213
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Post by stephent on Jul 2, 2014 12:08:56 GMT -5
Stones look good! As far as the oil goes...it "might" go rancid sooner or later, depending on what rock dust is in it. And will it solidify at much below 25F. If it continues to work well for you... and keeps from smellin like an old boot. Go for it.
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kaldorlon
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2013
Posts: 413
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Post by kaldorlon on Jul 2, 2014 13:20:49 GMT -5
Looks good!
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leadbelly713
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2011
Posts: 104
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Post by leadbelly713 on Jul 5, 2014 9:31:40 GMT -5
I added this closeup pic of the tendrils in the rhyolite so you can see what they actually look like.
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panamark
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,343
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Post by panamark on Jul 5, 2014 10:09:07 GMT -5
I hope the soybean oil works for you - it would be a great breakthrough, but I expect it will go rancid. You might try adding some borax to it to keep the microbial life to a minimum. Let us know.
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Post by snowmom on Jul 6, 2014 17:47:38 GMT -5
interesting about the oil and will be looking for updates on more performance testing. I really love that brecchiated stuff with the pink in it... makes me drool!
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SJPatrick
starting to spend too much on rocks
2 1/2 years into rock hounding and I'm still a newbie!
Member since September 2013
Posts: 124
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Post by SJPatrick on Jul 7, 2014 0:42:26 GMT -5
Nice. I really like that rhyolite.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on Jul 7, 2014 8:35:11 GMT -5
Nice cuts....The soy oils is something different.....I'm getting my mineral oil for about $5.00 @ Gallon so far... I like those slabs,they be nice!!!
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leadbelly713
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2011
Posts: 104
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Post by leadbelly713 on Jul 8, 2014 7:50:52 GMT -5
Hey Fossilman, If I could find mineral oil around here for 5 bucks a gallon I would not even have considered looking for an alternative, unfortunately the only place locally that has it is a farm supply store and they want $18.00 a gallon for it.
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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 Jul 8, 2014 7:59:39 GMT -5
Those breccias are really interesting, as is the one with those tendrils extending into it. I knew someone who tried vegetable oil as coolant one time, though I don't believe it was soy oil. It got pretty rotten real fast but that was in hot weather territory......Mel
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leadbelly713
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2011
Posts: 104
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Post by leadbelly713 on Jul 11, 2014 8:37:48 GMT -5
Well, it's been a little over a month since I started using the soy oil, and so far every thing is still good. snowmom & sabre I agree with both of you concerning the breccia, it is kind of unusual & cool with those pastel colors. I'll keep everyone informed as far as the soy oil goes, but as of now I have no cons to mention.
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