The debate over the best cutting fluid for rock saws has gone on forever--you know, drug store mineral oil vs. Shell Pella vs. RV antifreeze vs. [your favorite here]... All those discussions claim that an important factor to being "the best" is a high lubricity (especially for larger blades) and since water has essentially none, it's never used by itself in saws. However, every lapidary grinder I've ever used is water cooled, I've never heard of one using oil or antifreeze. The grinder typically has a greater surface contact area, and uses the same diamonds, so why aren't better lubes used? Or asked the other way around, why are lubricants needed in saws? What am I missing here? Thanks for your thoughts!

TCR

From TC Reg - November 09, 2009 at 11:04:12

Message: 68508