unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Dec 27, 2016 12:51:08 GMT -5
I've been doing lapidary for about 6 years now, and have tried or watched many different machines, contrary to early advice I received on this forum. (get good at one thing before moving on)It's good advice for all, but with my short attention span, inability to pass up a good deal (spelled S-t-e-a-l) and penchant for multi-tasking, I tend to go my own way. That being said, this thread is to sing the praises of the lowly drill press, an often overlooked tool (especially by beginners) and very versatile. I have used it to: drill pendants, groove wrap, sand and polish all forms of rock, core drill preforms for cabs (think easy circles), core drill to make candle holders and ear plugs, and I'm sure Y'all will have other applications. MY quandary w/ the drill press is when using it wet, how does one prevent rust on the cast iron parts and the column? A good industrial paint should work on the cast iron, but the column has the table moving up and down which doesn't bode well for paint. I've tried marine grease, but am hoping there's a better idea. I'm about to buy my 3rd drill press, sold the others once they became encrusted and too ugly. What say the Pros?
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Post by wigglinrocks on Dec 27, 2016 13:22:34 GMT -5
My thoughts are to try to limit the water from getting to the metal parts . Maybe some kind of tub with the workpiece in , sides high enough to keep overspray to a minimum . Or lots of WD40
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 27, 2016 14:13:03 GMT -5
I have had a drill press for about three years. It has no rust on it. I mainly use it with core drills to drill larger circles for round cabs or to drill smaller holes for beads. All my drilling is done in a small sandwich sized Tupperware type box. If I drop or splash any water, I wipe it up immediately. The drill is in my basement. I find that stuff rusts a little quicker in the garage. I do run a dehumidifier in the basement during the summer since about half of it is finished.
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zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
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Post by zarguy on Dec 27, 2016 15:51:25 GMT -5
I 2nd the tub idea. Wipe it down as soon as you're done. Perhaps some wax on the column & table? Lynn
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Post by roy on Dec 27, 2016 16:12:07 GMT -5
using the tub and keep your metal coated is wd-40
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Post by Pat on Dec 27, 2016 17:30:04 GMT -5
using the tub and keep your metal coated is wd-40 I do the same thing. To clean it first, I use the WD-40 and a gold colored 3M scrubby for jewelers. Table goes up and down smoothly. All is well!
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Post by spiceman on Dec 27, 2016 20:55:16 GMT -5
Years ago we were milling plexiglass and water was a good coolant. We had to polish them, so we used soap and water in a CNC mill. We coated the ways, vice everything with a grease. No rusting and the job ran for months. Cleanup was a mess but no rust. Maybe water soluble oil.
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Dec 28, 2016 13:22:07 GMT -5
Years ago we were milling plexiglass and water was a good coolant. We had to polish them, so we used soap and water in a CNC mill. We coated the ways, vice everything with a grease. No rusting and the job ran for months. Cleanup was a mess but no rust. Maybe water soluble oil. It's been my experience that oil and water don't mix, so I'm intrigued by a water soluble oil. Perhaps you could list any examples you're aware of? I'm thinking best solution as mentioned is shielding parts from spray and immediate wipedown- WD40 for good measure. Thanks everyone for your valued opinions.
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Post by spiceman on Dec 28, 2016 20:25:36 GMT -5
Yes water and oil don't mix but this is a oil that does mix with water. We used it as coolant for CNC machines. I will find the name.
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Dec 28, 2016 23:23:01 GMT -5
Soluble oil can be found at any Northland Oil outlet. It's called-------------soluble oil !
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,341
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Post by quartz on Dec 29, 2016 0:14:54 GMT -5
The "water pump lube" that is mixed with radiator coolant is water soluble oil, found in auto supply and most variety stores that have an automotive section. Nice thing about that stuff, it comes in small quantities.
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Post by Rockoonz on Dec 29, 2016 4:19:59 GMT -5
Grease or cosmolene, Yes! WD40, Noooooooooo! Employer used to have us put WD40 on rubber molds before putting them back into INDOOR storage. If they didn't get used again for a few months they often came out with rust. I sandblasted a piece of steel bar, cut in half sprayed one liberally with WD40 and one with nothing. When I remembered to look months later the WD40 piece had just as much rust, it is not rust inhibitor.
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minerken
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2013
Posts: 466
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Post by minerken on Dec 29, 2016 10:33:58 GMT -5
Water soluble is sort of a misnomer as it doesn't really dissolve it forms an emulsion I use it exclusively for cutting oil in my rock saw @10:1 IMHO it is better than mineral oil etc. and about $2.50-$3.00 a gallon and cheaper if you by a 5 gallon bucket.
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Post by Rockoonz on Dec 30, 2016 4:42:59 GMT -5
Most emulsions are toxic at least to a degree. The ones that are relatively harmless are often veggie based, with far too large a molecule to use as a cutting fluid.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,159
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Post by jamesp on Dec 30, 2016 8:21:14 GMT -5
My drill presses stay outside. SE US. Where stainless will rust. I use boat trailer bearing grease. Nasty but effective.
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Post by Pat on Jan 5, 2017 16:01:59 GMT -5
Our nephew has a boat fixit shop and lives by the water on Orcas Island, WA. I asked him how he keeps his tools and machines from rusting.
Corrosion X was the answer for storage in damp environments, and he wipes down everything after using.
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Post by spiceman on Jan 5, 2017 20:52:33 GMT -5
Our nephew has a boat fixit shop and lives by the water on Orcas Island, WA. I asked him how he keeps his tools and machines from rusting. Corrosion X was the answer for storage in damp environments, and he wipes down everything after using. That is good to know. Its too late but I would bet Santa will be delivering some to my house next time.
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rochaura
off to a rocking start
Member since July 2013
Posts: 14
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Post by rochaura on Oct 27, 2017 18:46:04 GMT -5
Since I now live in a very high humidity area I've protected my drill press the same way I protect my knives. Start with car wax and buff, then coat with paraffin wax. It is a 100 percent solution.
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notjustone
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2017
Posts: 426
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Post by notjustone on Oct 27, 2017 23:02:49 GMT -5
yepper although they make commercial wax for beds and ways on machinery a lot of home hobbyists use car wax.
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