huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353 
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Post by huskeric on Sept 9, 2016 9:42:26 GMT -5
This is probably a REALLY silly question, but I went to the hardware store looking for mineral oil for my saw, and the only kind they had was a food-grade mineral oil for cutting boards. I don't know if it's more expensive than cutting oil, I just wanted to get some so I could get started cutting with my new blade.
Is there a fundamental difference between the cutting oil for lap saws and food grade mineral oil that would impact the performance/longevity of the blade?
I am thinking that it's probably more or less the same, but can't really tell from the descriptions. Lubri-kool just says "highly-refined mineral oil." And what I bought is also "highly-refined mineral oil." it's just food-grade.
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Post by captbob on Sept 9, 2016 9:45:13 GMT -5
Go for it if the price is right. Will work just fine.
I have a 55 gallon barrel of food grade mineral oil in my garage for my saws.
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dottyt
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 305 
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Post by dottyt on Sept 9, 2016 11:00:48 GMT -5
This is probably obvious, but with most products "food grade" is more refined and has less contaminants and is therefore more expensive. For example you can have ethanol that is safe for making pharmaceutical elixirs and ethanol that is for industrial purposes.
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huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by huskeric on Sept 9, 2016 13:10:03 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies. I would have guessed this was OK, but I am really good at guessing wrong, and didn't want to find out that mineral oil for food-grade applications is lacking some key lubrication ingredient that cutting oil has, or that the food-grade oil would break down much faster or...
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Post by Jugglerguy on Sept 9, 2016 14:16:17 GMT -5
I have a small saw, so I just buy mineral oil in the Walmart pharmacy area. It's a little under two dollars a pint, so less than $16 per gallon.
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Post by Peruano on Sept 9, 2016 15:57:41 GMT -5
Its been discussed before, but human laxative mineral oil (Walmart in specific) is heavier than horse laxative mineral oil (Tractor Supply for example). I have yet to get a hydrometer or similar instrument to measure this quantitatively, but its my impression. I prefer the light horse variety, but often mix in a few pints of Walmart stuff in a pinch to fill the saw. There is no problems with the heavier stuff other than you carry a bit more out of the saw to drain or wash away as opposed to the lighter version. I drain my slabs on my trim saw surface so capture most of that oil transported out anyway, but . . . it might be messier if you just try to absorb it or wash it away. I've only tried baby oil once, and didn't like it (it seemed lighter, and definitely offended my sense of smell (not being a parent with diaper experience).
I do use the clean mineral oil (before being used in saws) for my cutting boards; it does not go rancid as does olive or canola oil (don't use these for saws).
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Post by paulshiroma on Sept 9, 2016 18:45:16 GMT -5
x2 on Jugglerguy comment. I pick up a few pints of whatever mineral oil is on sale at Target or Stater Bros. I have a larger saw that I use hydraulic oil in. Smelly stuff. |
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dottyt
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 305
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Post by dottyt on Sept 9, 2016 20:54:40 GMT -5
Its been discussed before, but human laxative mineral oil (Walmart in specific) is heavier than horse laxative mineral oil (Tractor Supply for example). I have yet to get a hydrometer or similar instrument to measure this quantitatively, but its my impression. I prefer the light horse variety, but often mix in a few pints of Walmart stuff in a pinch to fill the saw. There is no problems with the heavier stuff other than you carry a bit more out of the saw to drain or wash away as opposed to the lighter version. I drain my slabs on my trim saw surface so capture most of that oil transported out anyway, but . . . it might be messier if you just try to absorb it or wash it away. I've only tried baby oil once, and didn't like it (it seemed lighter, and definitely offended my sense of smell (not being a parent with diaper experience). I do use the clean mineral oil (before being used in saws) for my cutting boards; it does not go rancid as does olive or canola oil (don't use these for saws). This makes a good point. While ethanol is always the same chemical entity, mineral oil can be a number of different things. This is separate from the "food grade" question. Since I don't have a saw, I have no idea what mineral oils work best for them. Sorry! |
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70karmann
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since February 2011
Posts: 190
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Post by 70karmann on Sept 9, 2016 23:01:12 GMT -5
Horse laxitive at TSC. Pure mineral oil. Been using it for years.
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dottyt
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2016
Posts: 305
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Post by dottyt on Sept 10, 2016 3:13:28 GMT -5
Horse laxitive at TSC. Pure mineral oil. Been using it for years. Anyone have any idea how one gets a horse to drink mineral oil if the horse happens to have that sort of problem?  |
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
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Post by Fossilman on Sept 10, 2016 8:15:34 GMT -5
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inbtb
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2016
Posts: 351
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Post by inbtb on Sept 10, 2016 9:21:42 GMT -5
Horse laxitive at TSC. Pure mineral oil. Been using it for years. Anyone have any idea how one gets a horse to drink mineral oil if the horse happens to have that sort of problem? Long hose and a big funnel would be my guess. |
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Post by jakesrocks on Sept 10, 2016 10:45:28 GMT -5
For small saws, store brand baby oil works just great. Smells better than plain mineral oil too. I even add a quart to my large saw to help kill the smell.
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huskeric
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2016
Posts: 353
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Post by huskeric on Sept 12, 2016 9:43:36 GMT -5
I used the food-grade mineral oil because I was anxious to get cutting with the new blade that arrived, and it smelled nice, like I was cooking. =)
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