chadman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 106
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Post by chadman on Jun 17, 2008 12:21:20 GMT -5
What do you use? I'm looking for an alternative to the $100+ for 5 gallons of the various "Rock saw" oils out there. Lortone wants $21 per gallon for industrial mineral oil. 4facets.com (local) wants $100 for 5 gallons of rock saw oil.
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chadman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 106
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Post by chadman on Jun 17, 2008 12:27:41 GMT -5
Never mind. I went to the local oil company and they will sell me the same stuff I was using for $56 for 5. Iala oil is what it is called.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,462
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Post by Sabre52 on Jun 17, 2008 14:57:56 GMT -5
I use Covington's Rockhound Oil. It runs about $65 for five gallons, works well, and is not stinky.....Mel
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Post by kap on Jun 17, 2008 20:44:32 GMT -5
I use minerial oil its not harmful to you and does not smell bad. It only costs $6.00 a gallon. I get mine at tractor supply. Keith
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Post by stonesthatrock on Jun 17, 2008 21:35:30 GMT -5
i also use mineral oil.
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oldgrouchy
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2006
Posts: 240
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Post by oldgrouchy on Jun 18, 2008 17:50:42 GMT -5
Keith is dead on about tractor supply, the cheapes I have found. You can also get it from vet supply stores-they sell it as a livestock laxative/lubricant.
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darrad
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2006
Posts: 1,636
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Post by darrad on Jun 18, 2008 19:15:48 GMT -5
Right now I use Covington Rock Hound oil as well. I did check the Tractor Supply site and the mineral oil was $11.96/gal. "in store only" Am I looking at the right stuff?
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rocky323
off to a rocking start
Member since April 2008
Posts: 18
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Post by rocky323 on Jun 23, 2008 0:21:38 GMT -5
I have been using used transmision oil since 1974...In the begining I was Paying Amco 45 cents a Gallon...Later on had a few garages that gave it to me Free. Now they are happy to save it for you. Just leave a large container for them to put it in....then be sure to pick it up. I was introduced to using this by a Doctor who an avid lapidary person. He had it checked out and was not harmful to use...I am now 88. The sludge I stored in 5 gal cans. Before the start of winter I mixed it with water and when the water frose with thw sludge the clean oil came \ to the top. Later I found a better way to get ride of it...After storing the sludge and draining the clean oil this mass was now almost solid and I filled Paper milk container and burned it in wood stove. No smell.. try a little until you are confident with it. In one winter season all was gone. It takes 15 gallons for a 24" HP. I had a good supply of 5 Gal buckets that then filled with rocks
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Post by johnjsgems on Jun 23, 2008 7:11:55 GMT -5
At one of our Texas shows someone mentioned $12/gal food grade mineral oil from Tractor Supply. I'm guessing the $11.96 is food grade and the $6.00 one is plain mineral oil (like Covington's Rockhound Oil). The food grade (like Diamond Pacific's Roc-Oil) is a synthetic mineral oil developed for food processing equipment so is safer but costs more. Straight mineral oil is safe with normal use (don't drink it).
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Post by kap on Jun 23, 2008 10:44:34 GMT -5
When I got my oil for $6 they had 2 types and I think John is right it was not food grade and the other was higher. They was out and I had them order it. It may be something that is not always stocked. Keith
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Post by catmandewe on Jun 23, 2008 23:16:46 GMT -5
I get mine from our United Oil warehouse. They have 2 grades, food grade and technical grade. The Food grade is 11 something a gallon and the technical grade is 4.95 a gallon. The guy in there told me it is the same stuff, just filtered and purified using different methods.
Tony
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Post by Woodyrock on Jun 24, 2008 1:21:17 GMT -5
I use a pharmaceutical grade mineral oil @ $6.20/gallon. (six months ago) The difference between food grade, and phamaceutical is where it is packaged. Food grade must be packaged in a clean room environment whilst technical and pharmaceutical does not. There is no other difference in the oil except price. The stuff I use must be safe, because the largest purchaser of this oil makes personal lubricants from it. I add a bottle of Bardahl No Smoke to it for mist control. Woody
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chadman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 106
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Post by chadman on Jun 25, 2008 11:40:00 GMT -5
Thanks for all the knowledge fellow rock people. I will look into all these suggestions. I bought a 6" MK303 blade for the Lortone combo machine. I used water with a little bit of water soluble oil in it for rust prevention. This sound okay for the MK blades? I'm reluctant to use oil in the trim saw portion of the combo machine. Thanks for the help guys and gals!.
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Post by johnjsgems on Jun 25, 2008 18:47:26 GMT -5
If you are not going to use it daily I'd drain and save the coolant and allow the blade to dry. The core looks like stainless but is tool steel and will rust eventually even with the additive. The water soluble will also evaporate. It will cut ok with the water soluble. Oil won't hurt either if you remember to fill only to about 1/4" up on the blade. There should only be a drip at the blade guard.
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