I was taught by the old timers to use bee’s wax but always found that it clogged my burs. and saw blade teeth. I tried oils and cutting fluid but they smelled bad and splattered.
I too am much too cheap to pay the cost of Bur Life so I now use paraffin wax like our grandmothers used to seal jelly. It’s very slick, odorless, and super cheap.
You can buy it at most any grocery store that has canning supplies. A box will last you several lifetimes. I also use it on my saw blades as well as wire and tube drawing.
Have fun and make lots of jewelry.
-Jo Haemer
Thanks for input on the bur lubricant Jo, Susan and Gerry! Much appreciated! I too find beeswax clogs, wintergreen oil elusive too. I rather like the mineral oil which is also known as liquid paraffin I believe. It sort of flumes all the debris away when the bur is dipped in it. I do use a paraffin tea lite for my saw blades thanks for the confirmation Jo. I’ll give the 3 in 1 a try and see how I like that one Gerry.
Aurora