What oil/coolant to use

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[ronjhall]

Whats Tom supposed to do when it freezes? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[kenmac]

Does it get cold enough to freeze in OH. ? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ronjhall]

That's where I may be off base here. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif But if I remember correctly the guys from Akron Canton claim it does. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Then I never heard if it gets to 21 degrees F, just that it freezes. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

<font color="blue">Whats Tom supposed to do when it freezes? </font>

I'm aware of the temperature considerations, as noted in my previous post. I don't think we yet have enough information yet to know conclusively whether or not it will freeze. The freezing point of the 10% solution would have to be determined - to that end I just put some in my freezer which is at 0 F. Also, we'd have to know the particulars about the "unheated portion of the shop". It might get enough heat from surrounding areas so that it never gets below the freezing point of said 10% solution. An unheated portion of my shop never gets below about 25-30 degrees all winter. The devil is in the details.

And maybe a couple of magnet heaters stuck onto the reservoir, if necessary, would do the trick? Or maybe find out from Lenox if a compatible antifreeze could be added to the diluted Band-Ade? There might be a simple answer once more facts have been determined.

 

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

No heat in there unless I'm working in there. Gets cold enough to freeze water in a bucket. The office section is in another section of the building altogether.........no residual heat getting to the shop. I can't see heating a 40 x 30 x 12 high area constantly unless I need to be in there. It can (and does) get below zero a few days every winter. A magnet geater won't stick to the poly tank...good idea tho.............Thanks for the replies so far guys !!

 

[ronjhall]

You do not have to put it in the freezer. Just go to Lenox site and check their MSDS sheet on the product. The freeze point is 21 degrees F. When mixed with water, temperature will move closer to 32 degrees.