What oil/coolant to use

TOMLESCOEQUIP · Dec 16, 2005

This the oil forum, and this is about oil(sort of). I just upgrades my shop with a better metal cutting bandsaw. My old japanese model I bought off the traveling tool traders pickup truck 20 years ago just wasn't gonna do it any longer. What oil/lube do you use for the coolant in the new saw that has a coolant/oil pump ?? Where would I find it & what qualities do I look for. I don't heat that section of my shop unless I'm working in there, so viscosity may be an issue to consider in freezing temps. Or should I just dump a gallon or 2 of WD-40 in it and go for it ??? Since I don't think it will be changed often (or ever for that matter) should I go with cheap dino swill or the mega priced synthetic slime ?? I've never needed blade coolant before as the old hack-em off crooked saw didn't use it. Help me out please !!

kenmac · Dec 16, 2005

I worked in a metal shop years ago & operated one of these saws. I can't remember the name of the oil, but it was a type that mixes with water not a high end grade synthetic.I would think you could get it at an industrial supply place , mabe grangers if you have one close.

3RRL · Dec 16, 2005

This might help.
I use VALCOOL VNT650 BLUE METAL WORKING FLUID CONCENTRATE made by:
VALENITE
PO BOX 9636
MADISON HEiGHTS MI 48071
1-800-424-9300

Mixing ratio is 1 to 25 and 1 to 15 parts for moderate to heavy duty machining, grinding and sawing. I use it in all my CNC equipment, milling machines, lathes, surfaces grinders and, yes, saws.
Hope that helps...

billbill1 · Dec 16, 2005

Kool Tool or Cool Tool is what we use in our machines at work, it will get skunky smelling if you never change it. It does work well and we get it from an industrial supply company (JSC)

ronjhall · Dec 16, 2005

Since you will be keeping the saw in an unheated area you will not be using the water mixed type.
Look at a oil based coolant. I use Ridgid oil for cutting fluid. Many places carry it for pipe threading. Here is a link to Ridgid's site. Looks like the Nu-Clear product is what you may be looking for.

CT_Tree_Guy · Dec 16, 2005

Tom - I use Lenox Band-Ade Cutting Fluid, and it's great. Lenox is a leading name in saw blades, so they probably know what kind of lubricant their blades want. I use only Lenox blades on my Pehaka (German) metal-cutting band saw, and both the blades and coolant work great. I got it in a 5-gallon container, from Grainger I believe, and it might have been 40 or 50 bucks. Just dilute it 10:1 with water and dump it into your reservoir. It even smells good. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Here's another tip for you - variable-pitch bandsaw blades cut MUCH better than single pitch. I think what I have on my saw now varies between 6 and 10 TPI. The varied pitch cuts better and reduces vibration, I think you'd like it. It's great for everything from 1/4" tubing, channel etc. all the way up to really thick solid stock. Graingers carries those as well.

Good luck, John D.

Hmm, just read the part about the freezing temps. I have a feeling the Band-Ade would have some antifreeze qualities. Maybe ask Lenox what the freezing point of a 10% solution would be - my guess is around 20 F. Depending on what else you have in that part of your shop, maybe it would be good to keep it just above 32 F. anyway?

TOMLESCOEQUIP · Dec 16, 2005

I had heard about the water mix type but was scared that it might turn into something like a nasty looking vanilla milkshake that would ruin my pump. It looks like the rigid stuff is about $16.50 per gallon................Does that stuff come in an oderless version ?........I have a small bottle of "cool tool II" that I use on the drill press that's so nasty smelling I hate to use it.

ronjhall · Dec 16, 2005

I don't know how the Nu-Clear smells.
In one of the shops I worked at. They mixed mineral spirits with a portion of the dark cutting oil. I believe it was 20% cutting oil. Worked good, but did have a smell.
I have used Cool Tool II. It closes up my sinuses in about 2 seconds.
Try using the saw without coolant. Should work OK. May have to slow the blade speed down a notch.

CT_Tree_Guy · Dec 16, 2005

Tom, no worries about milky messes with the Band-Ade, I've used it for years with no problems. And as I said, it doesn't smell bad at all. It's not Chanel #5, but it smells a whole lot better than gear oil.