JiscMail Logo
Email discussion lists for the UK Education and Research communities

Help for GEO-METAMORPHISM Archives


GEO-METAMORPHISM Archives

GEO-METAMORPHISM Archives


GEO-METAMORPHISM@JISCMAIL.AC.UK


View:

Message:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Topic:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Author:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

Font:

Proportional Font

LISTSERV Archives

LISTSERV Archives

GEO-METAMORPHISM Home

GEO-METAMORPHISM Home

GEO-METAMORPHISM  2000

GEO-METAMORPHISM 2000

Options

Subscribe or Unsubscribe

Subscribe or Unsubscribe

Log In

Log In

Get Password

Get Password

Subject:

Saws and cooling oil

From:

"Scott Johnson" <[log in to unmask]>

Reply-To:

[log in to unmask]

Date:

Wed, 26 Apr 2000 10:07:35 -0400

Content-Type:

text/plain

Parts/Attachments:

Parts/Attachments

text/plain (99 lines)

Hi,

A while ago I sent out a message asking if there were distributors of rock
prep equipment in the eastern USA. I also asked what sort of coolant people
use in their big saws. Thanks to those who responded to me, and I wanted to
briefly let you know what I have learned. I believe it was Norm Winters who
suggested to me that I check out the Lapidary Digest (I lost the email and
so apologize if it was not Norm). I did and it was very helpful. Check it
out - they have extensive archives:

http://www.lapidarydigest.com/

First, Raytech in Connecticut carries saws up to 10 inches. If you want a 24
inch saw it looks like you will need to shop in the west. I ended up
ordering from Dimond Pacific in California. They now make the most modern
version of the Contempo saw, which was in its turn an updated version of the
Highland Park, Beacon Star and Frampton saws. Good bloodlines, but the most
expensive saw around at a list price of $5600. Other 24 inchers that are
very good but a bit lighter duty can be had for as little as $4000. You can
find descriptions of some of these saws at Dad's Rock Shop
(http://www.dadsrockshop.com/products.html).

As for coolants in big saws, I have found that people generally use one of
three types: Propylene or Ethylene Glycol, mineral oil, and other heavier
petroleum products. Transformer oils are also in use now - they use to be
deadly, but the new ones appear to be ok. I am not sure exactly what sort of
oil they are, but they should be checked carefully for PCB's or dioxin.

Apparently, the FDA lists Propylene Glycol as "safe" - but make sure the one
you use does not contain carcinogenic additives. Some people say it is
mostly water and so does not protect well against rusting. On the other
hand, Ethylene Glycol - the antifreeze used in cars - is apparently nasty
poisonous stuff. I am not clear on the details, but it might be a good idea
to check it out before using off-the-shelf antifreeze. Either way, masks
should be worn to protect from the mists.

I have come down on the side of mineral oil, which is a highly refined oil
(one- or two-stage hydrocracking process) designed for raw bases in
manufacturing things like rubber and plastic, and also for lubrication of
machining and cutting tools (particularly for cutting metal). It is highly
oxidation stable, prevents rusting, is clear, has relatively low misting,
little to no odor, low toxicity, and a high flash point averaging around
300-400 degrees F, depending on the product. It is used as baby oil,
veterinary oil, laxitive, etc. Some products are considered "edible",
believe it or not. When you finish cutting you can put a bit on your corn
flakes...

Here are a few products and approximate prices by the 55 gallon drum. There
are no doubt many more manufacturers - these are the ones I can get easily
from a distributor here in Maine.

Petro-Canada Paraflex HT 22 - 185 dollars.
Texaco AlMag (used my many rock cutters) - 245 dollars.
Texaco White Oil 22 (extremely clear, non-staining, used in sewing machines
etc) - 325 dollars
Exxon Faxxam 22 - 240 dollars

Drawbacks - inhaling oil mist can lead to "chemical or lipid pneumonia".
Wear a mask and use covers on saws cooled with oil. Also, some products may
carry rock dust in suspension for quite some time. There is some question as
to how this might effect blade life. AlMag apparently is ok in this regard,
but I do not know about the others. One person on the Lapidary Digest
reported minor allergic skin reactions with AlMag.

Other comments:

I have heard that Shell Pella cutting oil mists more heavily than AlMag, and
that it smells.

Saw makers/sellers are selling mineral oil these days (e.g. Dimond Pacific
and Lortone). A good source for small portions, but you will save money by
going directly to a lubricant supplier or petroleum company in your area.

Do not use vegetable oil - it gums up and causes major problems.

PLEASE NOTE - I have not used any of the mineral oils yet, and so am NOT
recommending any of them. Ask the manufacturers or distributors for details
and specs. Owing to its popularity I thought I might go with AlMag, but they
all seem pretty similar.


Cheers - Scott

*************************************************************************
Scott E. Johnson
Department of Geological Sciences
5790 Bryand Global Sciences Center
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469-5790
USA
email: [log in to unmask]
phone: (207) 581-2142
Fax: (207) 581 2202
http://www.geology.um.maine.edu/user/scott_johnson/HM.html
*************************************************************************


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Top of Message | Previous Page | Permalink

JiscMail Tools


RSS Feeds and Sharing


Advanced Options


Archives

March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998


JiscMail is a Jisc service.

View our service policies at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/policyandsecurity/ and Jisc's privacy policy at https://www.jisc.ac.uk/website/privacy-notice

For help and support help@jisc.ac.uk

Secured by F-Secure Anti-Virus CataList Email List Search Powered by the LISTSERV Email List Manager