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[Mossagatemac]

I was at my lapidary store this weekend considering a trim saw and he had several that only used water as a coolant instead of oil.  Then I found a used one online that uses oil...

What's the main difference between a trim saw that needs oil as a coolant vs one that only needs water?  Is it the reservoir, blade, etc something else??

How much of a mess does a trim saw make that only used oil?

[Slabbercabber]

All wet saws will use whatever coolant/lubricant you wish as long as any included pump can handle the viscosity.  Buy the one you like and use the coolant that works for the purpose.  I've never heard of anyone using oil in a trim saw, but if you can put up with the mess it would work.

[Rockoteer]

All wet saws will use whatever coolant/lubricant you wish as long as any included pump can handle the viscosity.  Buy the one you like and use the coolant that works for the purpose.  I've never heard of anyone using oil in a trim saw, but if you can put up with the mess it would work.

What you said....

[lapidaryrough]

R/V anti freeze  Pink. I use it for trim saws and drain  traps to prevent freezing'
Mix 1 -1  with water for trim saws.   

[Kaljaia]

Mine's got horse laxative mineral oil in it, and yes it makes a mess but seems to be working great. Same for the slab saw. Added bonus of not having to constantly add more, as the zero percent humidity here (plus the hard water) means scale buildup on anything water-related can be a big problem in the long run.

[finegemdesigns]

I have 2 trim saws one with oil and one with water. The "plan" was to only use the water one for softer stones like lapis and turquoise to prevent oil absorption.

The reality is I use the water one for everything now.

  

To avoid the arbor nut from locking up due to corrosion I spread grease on the nut and arbor threads. Also I replaced the painted steel splash guard with an aluminum one.

[edgarscale]

interesting, glad if read this.  will do the same to my trim saw.

[55fossil]

    Water, water and water in all my trim saws. I use the 10 inch trim saw so much I have to change the water several times in a mornings use because it clouds up. The water is cheap, nothing hazardous in it to breath or get onto you and clean up is so easy. The only down side is if you could actually keep track you might find your saw blade wears a little faster with water than oil.

   TOXIC:  Anything you are shoving your hands and face directly into should be absolutely safe to use!!!   Wear a mask and surgeons gloves to avoid inhaling even the mist from water. Many rocks contain stuff that is not safe to breathe. If you wonder how much rock dust is in the mist just look at your saw and table top after an hour of cutting. The water evaporates and there is a layer of dust left. That is what is now in your mouth, throat, nose and lungs. I just like the gloves because they keep my hands all nice and soft.. ha  Seriously, some of that stuff is bad for you. 

PS:  Gloves are super cheap at Harbor Freight. Maybe a dime a pair for the better ones.

[jerrysg]

   
PS:  Gloves are super cheap at Harbor Freight. Maybe a dime a pair for the better ones.

Same price at Costco (400 for $19.99) for nitrile gloves and they come in small, medium and large.

Jerry

[jerrysg]

Our lapidary club has 3 6" trim saws in the cab lab - 2 use mineral oil and one uses water.  The water saw is reserved for soft stones such as turquoise. I think management feels that with the heavy use that the trim saws see, oil extends the live of the blades. But it does create a mess. (Dawn does clean the stones and hands.) 

I only use water in my trim saws at home. They are always drained and cleaned at the end of the day.

Jerry

[Rockoteer]

    Water, water and water in all my trim saws. <snip>  some of that stuff is bad for you. 

PS:  Gloves are super cheap at Harbor Freight. Maybe a dime a pair for the better ones.

Absolutely.  It is very very bad for you.  Whats a nut or bearing or arbor worth compared to you life.  A no brainer... again jmho
Gary