Coolant for Metal Saw

[Jeff NWOH]

I've got a big DoAll horizontal metal cutting bandsaw that has to run coolant as it doesn't have ball bearings on the blade guides. I believe they are carbide but don't really know.

Anyways, I was wondering what I should be using for coolant. Been using Tricool I got from the tool supply place. Not terribly impressed. Looks like green antifreeze when mixed. Also seems to rust the saw where it stays wet awhile. It was kinda rusty in the coolant tray and bed when I got it so hard to say. Also I don't use this very often and the coolant tends to evaporate and get all moldy and nasty.

I'm all out of tricool and need to get something. Is there something that won't get rancid and prevent rusting of the saw better? I worked in a small machine shop a couple winters about 15 years ago and they used something that was blue or green with the consistancy of motor oil that made a milky looking coolant. Did get rancid as I remember changing it out, but never saw a hint of rust on any of their machines. I have no idea what it was though.

I also thought about pouring a 1/2 cup veg oil in the coolant tank. My thinking was that it would float on top and keep the coolant from evaporating and maybe even getting all funky. Think it would work?

Jeff

 

[Anonymous-0]

For general use most shops use the white stuff that looks like milk and is mixed with water. Never saw any rusting or getting a rancid smell. There's also a better coolant that's almost clear but don't what it's called. Talk to place that sells bandsaws and/or blades. Dave

 

[Russ from MN]

Where I worked we used soluble oil mixed with water and a little clorox to prevent it from getting rancid.

 

[old popper]

Google Soluble Oil. That should tell you about that "blue-green" stuff you mix with tap water to create that white milky coolant for your saw.

 

[Anonymous-0]

be careful not to get the coolant on your skin.

 

[camju]

We started useing thinest hyd.oil we could find,no water.Not recomended but it works.

 

[Lou from Wi.]

We only use Motor oil mixed with motor pre lube(red) mixed .No problem ever. Blades last quite a long time. Started using this solution when we cut down 65 J.D crawler pads(both ends)=130 Boron Steel.plus steel brackets etc.
Hope this helps.
LOU

 

[Jeff NWOH]

Thanks guys. Looked in tool supply catalogue and the have soluble oil coolant as well. Going to get a gal tomorrow and see how it goes.

 

[Butch(OH)]

Jeff, You can use any water soluable type lubricant/coolant made for machine work. At normal ratios they prevent the rust you are experiencing. For my band saw I run it at very thin ratios, just above rusting as the saw seems to work better. Some coolants come precharged with anti-bacteria agents, some dont but you need to be mindful of it and take action when it starts as once it gets bad you have a mess on your hands to get rid if it. The mahine tool outlets sell tablets that work great or you can borrow the wife's Clorox and add a bit at the first sign of smell. Dont over do it as it can cause rusting too.

 

[MidTn]

I buy mine at ENCO. It is white and does not cause rust. Buy 5 gallon and it will last me a lifetime.

 

[Wardner]

Grainger's has a soluble cutting oil made by Mobile. I have never noticed any foul odors. Order it on their website with a credit card or go to your closet store. It may not be shipable.

 

[Fred Martin]

Guys are on the money with soluable oil/water. I will add maybe a bit richer mixture for the tougher and stainless steels. For aluminum only use soapy water or diesel fuel...for just a piece or two, drag a candle on the blade. When the teeth get loaded, it melts and releases the chip. We had a C-58 DoAll horizontal that kept jerking teeth out of the blades. If yours does this, reach under the vice and tighten the bolts that hold it to the table. ohfred

 

[Sam from WA]

When I was at school we were using Band-Aide (sp) saw lube mixed with water. We never had a problem with it going bad or evaporating, more the coolant jet getting messed up and spraying all over everything but where it was supposed to. Seemed like some pretty good stuff, the saw never did rust and wasn't really used that much.