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Lubercating oils?

Jewelry Discussion
#1

After contacting Karen a Metalwerx and begging her to over look my
ignorance and tell me what this oil is used for she sent me a great
link from the Orchid’s archives regarding this oil (Thank you Karen).
This brings me to ask several questions for you all out there in
Orchid land.

What type of lubricating product do you use and why? Do you use
the Bur life stick form and if this is the product you use, you do
you use it on burs and sawing blades?

Do you consider one better than the other and why. Is there one
product that can be used for all purposes? Do you make your own
concoction or purchase it? and if so which oil do you purchase,
where and why.

I looked up lubrication in Oppi’s great book and it said to use
soluble oil, non flammable and non toxic (I can understand that part)
one part oil to 20 parts water. No specific names of oils were
mentioned. As always thank you all ahead for your response.

Karen

#2

Karen B.

I use a very simple method of lubricating my burs, its a light
viscose, motor oil. You can find this item at any hardware store or
garage “parts & supply” stores…For saw blades I always rely on
ordinary bee’s wax…I have been using this kind of oil for many
decades, if it has been working for me for this long, why change it
for something else?

Why? If I need a dab of oil fast, to lubricate my bur, I don’t want
the bur head made hard to see while setting or drilling out a fine
made hole. As when compared with the bur ‘stick’. Saw blade
lubricating is another matter, the wax residue on the saw blade will
stay there and will clean the saw teeth, as its been used…Just my
two Canadian cents…Gerry!

#3 
    What type of lubricating product do you use and why?   Do you
use the Bur life stick form and if this is the product you use, you
do you use it on burs and sawing blades?

I use Bur-Life in the “cake” form. I use it because it’s handy and
convenient, mounted on the extreme right front edge of my bench
where I can run the sawblade, bur or file across it easily. It’s
always there, right where it is mounted. Cartridges are easy to
replace.

     Do you consider one better than the other and why. Is there
one product that can be used for all purposes? Do you make your own
concoction or purchase it?   and if so which oil do you purchase,
where and why.

One of the best lubricants that can be used for most purposes is
something I do make myself: nose oil. You don’t need a honker the
size of mine to make it, either. Simply rub a bur or burnisher
lightly along the crease along the side of your nose (I don’t
recommend the novice use this technique for sawblades, but it can be
done). It will probably sound silly to many, but it’s a valid
lubricant that is used by many. Primarily, I use it with metal or
agate burnishers. It makes them slick and easy to use, where
Bur-Life may not adhere to the smooth surface of the burnisher.

James in SoFl

#4

Hi Karen,

One readily available & economical lubricant I’ve used on burrs, saw
blades & gravers is liquid dishwashing detergent.

Depending on the application, I put a little on my finger tip & rub
it on the item where the cut will be made or rub the cutting edge/s
of the tool on a piece of felt (a slice from an old hat) that has
had the detergent applied to it. If you want a solid product to use,
Burr Life is good or you can use plain old paraffin. Paraffin used
to be used to seal jars when making home made jams & jellies. It
used to be sold in grocery stores, don’t know if it is anymore.

If you want a product that’s expressly designed for lubricating the
edges of cutting tools, there’s a product used by machine shops &
factories called, ‘Tap Magic’ (tapmagic.com). It works with all
kinds of metals & cutting tools. It’s available in 3 oz & larger
containers.

One thing to consider when selecting a lubricant is to get one that
won’t affect the ability to solder & doesn’t need to be cleaned off
prior to soldering. I haven’t had any problems with either of the 2
items mentioned.

Usual disclaimers, just a happy user.

Dave