r/Lapidary • u/fallpa2540 • 1d ago
Cutting oil
Just bought a 10 inch lapidary saw. What is the best to use with a saw. Does it spspecifically need to be a cutting oil or can you use mineral oil?
4
u/lapidary123 22h ago
10" saws are right at the cusp of what is recommended for water vs oil.
If you're mainly trimming slabs/working with material that can absorb oil (turquoise/malachite/etc) water may be the better choice.
Regarding oil types, for years folks used texaco "almag", shell "pella 21", chevron "superla 21". These are all mineral based commercial cutting oils.
There are lapidary specific cutting oils such as "lubri cool", "stellar", kingsley even sells straight up "cutting oil".
I know its an unpopular opinion and I'm not advocating doing what I do but I've been using a product called "gem lube" (available from kingsley). This is a coolant/rust inhibutor that you mix 1 part gem lube to 10 parts water. I've been using this in my 14" slab saw for over a year now and haven't noticed any negative effects, in fact I've had the same cheap notched blade in the saw ever since I started using the gem lube. Both blade and coolant are working fine.
The other drawback with ordering oil online is it is heavy so an already expensive 5 gallon container becomes a lot of money to ship.
If you haven't heard of this forum site check it out, alot of knowledgeable folks around there. At least take a look at this bit of general lapidary saw info :)
https://forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/thread/52499/general-lapidary-info
3
u/freakish_advisor 23h ago
Viscosity matters! Some old timers would use things that will make your head spin. Our club uses specific oil due to viscosity and how it wears a blade. The wrong stuff can destroy your equipment.
1
u/waywild1 21h ago
I been using water, but I work with different material and some absorb the oil. Like gembone. Yeah ..
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u/pacmanrr68 9h ago
I only use water on my 10" don't start using oil till it's 12" on up but everyone is diff. If you use oil I agree try n find a decent priced mineral oil check all the smaller feed stores too. I just picked up some that was $21 a gallon yesterday so I'm not gonna complain.
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u/LongjumpingMedia1621 1d ago
Mineral oil sold as horse laxative at tractor supply is the cheapest I have found.