Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Oct 6, 2004 11:57:47 GMT -5
My first question....(before the truck arrives of course)
I bought oil for the diamond blade to cool it. Did I read correctly that you could use water as well...with a bit of borax or dishwasher soap? Will use oil at first...just wondered if cutting corners here is the way to go.
Also, borax + water for the grinding disks? Would dishwasher soap work as well? I used Cascade or something like that for my rocks and I really liked that it didn't suds up and seemed to keep things from being gassy. Not sure if the borax should be used at all...
(This is for the Combination saw/grinding unit thingee.)
*once again bows to the wisdom of the elders*
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Oct 6, 2004 12:27:46 GMT -5
Ok...found the answer to the coolant for the saw.... (Oil is probably better....can save bucks by using Valvoline 5W40 - (or a light-weight oil) I like the idea of cutting it with mineral oil too...
*puts that the list to look for*
But...back to the grinding/polishing wheels... Borax and Water or Cascade dishwasher soap and water?
I'm leaning towards adding cascade...since I STILL can't find it in the store and I keep forgetting to order some online!
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Post by sandsman1 on Oct 6, 2004 17:49:45 GMT -5
hi EM i use a 5gal. bucket for a water drip and i use mostly water to grind ---i do sometime throw acouple spoons of borax in with the water but i find too much borax ans it makes my hands slip on the rocks,, i dont dop my stones i hold them in my hands and shape and polish,, i have never tried any kind of soap but if you are gonna hold the stones i wouldent use soap you wont be able to hold on to the stones to slippery ---when i do put borax in the water i only use around 2 table spoons to 5 gal of water it dosent take much
as for water or oil i read somewear that any blade 8 inch or under can be used with water and an addative anything bigger would work best with oil-- my opinion is any diamond blade would work better and last longer with oil no matter the size ---but you can use water on the smaller blades i use water and toolcool on my 8inch trim saw but after what doc said about it gettin crystals in the bearings after it dries out i think im gonna try something new when i clean it out next time i dont know what yet i realy dont wana use oil in that one because it only has a plastic hood that sits on top with cutouts to slide your hands in and work but it does mist and splash alittle still and i have it set up in my parlor i cant get up and down the steps to good with my back so i work upstairs---hahaha its bad enuff i have a coating of cerium dust on everything in my apt hahahaha
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Oct 6, 2004 17:54:45 GMT -5
Thanks Sandman! It looks like I have one more day of waiting... but I'll be ready!
I couldn't believe it...I actually found Borax at Kroger! *cheers* (20 mule team)
I think that makes sense to NOT use the diswasher soap. Will use water and a bit of borax.
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Pdwight
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 619
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Post by Pdwight on Oct 7, 2004 17:08:23 GMT -5
The Borax is used to keep the PH of the water up so it will not flash rust the blade. that is why it feels slippery. Japanese Sword polishers usede the ashes from the rice fires to add to the water for the polishing stones to keep the blades from flash rusting....they didnt know why...but it worked. You could actually use a 1/4 tea spoon of caustic lye in a 3 gallon container of water and this would alter the PH to a point where it should stop this from hapining...you might have to experiment with it a little the concentration..but it should be just enough to make the water feel slippery in your fingers...dont add any more !!! careful with caustic lye (red devil) it will burn you badly in the form it comes out of the can...but once it is disolved int he water it will be no big deal.
Dwight P
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Oct 7, 2004 17:10:32 GMT -5
Dwight, Thanks for the info! I never really understood the function of the borax. Makes sense! ;D
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Post by krazydiamond on Oct 7, 2004 18:49:26 GMT -5
Hi, Em!
i have a 6" Lortone trim saw and i use distilled water and "DiaCut" coolant with it.....i also use the MK-303 blades that are especially for use with water coolant.
hope you like yours as much as i like mine! KD
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Post by BearCreekLapidary on Oct 7, 2004 20:58:47 GMT -5
Hello Emerald,
I have a 6", 8" and 10" all of which have baby oil in them (for years) and I have never had a problem with them at all.
Motor oil has a smell to it and it is not the best for your skin for prolonged contact or breathing the oil mist.
I always use a filter mask when cutting with any of may saws, so that I do not inhale the oily mist ... I don't need that in my lungs!
Take care,
John
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