Bandsaw lubricant needed?

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I stopped using lubricants on my bandsaw and saw no change in my blade life. A new shop I’m in is asking if it’s worth just running theirs dry also. What’s your opinions?
Reply:There are advantages and disadvantages to lubricant or dry. Dry means no mess or drips all over the place. But also means potentially shorter blade life.I have had a both, wet (Wellsaw) and now dry (Ellis). Some saws like the Ellis are made to run dry with no lubricant. Make sure your saw is made to run with lubricant. Personally, I think proper tooth count, feed rate and blade speed are just as important, if not more so than using lube to prolong blade life.I had an old Wellsaw that used lubricant and I used Lenox Band-Ade in that saw. It worked fine and I would just top off the tank with water as it evaporated. Every once in a while I would throw some Band Ade in to keep the mix correct. If you are cutting tube, pipe, etc, you have to cap both ends or there will be lube all over the shop floor at the end of the piece.Using the Ellis now without coolant is so much cleaner and nicer in the shop. No mess. No waiting for a part to dry. No frozen coolant in the winter. I don't usually turn my heat on in the shop until it is near 0 degrees. No replacing pumps.Millermatic 252 MIGMiller Dynasty 200DX TIGMiller Spectrum 625 PlasmaAltas 12x36 Metal LatheBridgeport Milling Machinewww.psacustomcreations.com
Reply:

Originally Posted by psacustomcreations

There are advantages and disadvantages to lubricant or dry. Dry means no mess or drips all over the place. But also means potentially shorter blade life.I have had a both, wet (Wellsaw) and now dry (Ellis). Some saws like the Ellis are made to run dry with no lubricant. Make sure your saw is made to run with lubricant. Personally, I think proper tooth count, feed rate and blade speed are just as important, if not more so than using lube to prolong blade life.I had an old Wellsaw that used lubricant and I used Lenox Band-Ade in that saw. It worked fine and I would just top off the tank with water as it evaporated. Every once in a while I would throw some Band Ade in to keep the mix correct. If you are cutting tube, pipe, etc, you have to cap both ends or there will be lube all over the shop floor at the end of the piece.Using the Ellis now without coolant is so much cleaner and nicer in the shop. No mess. No waiting for a part to dry. No frozen coolant in the winter. I don't usually turn my heat on in the shop until it is near 0 degrees. No replacing pumps.
Reply:I cut all steel dry.If you cut with any try of coolant you need clean before welding and or painting. If you cut aluminum a used blade need some type of lub. But the only time I used aluminum was when it was being machined not welded and did not need paint.  Dave

Originally Posted by blackbart

I stopped using lubricants on my bandsaw and saw no change in my blade life. A new shop I’m in is asking if it’s worth just running theirs dry also. What’s your opinions?
Reply:psacustomcreations covered it well and no need for anything else to be considered.I've been cutting dry with my ELLIS, which as mentioned, is a dry cut saw. Dry cutting is one of the reasons I bought an ELLIS.  I have not had an blade issues with it at all. My 15 year old Harbor Freight 4x6 is still going and that was always used dry.
Reply:I had a Wells saw my father purchased new in 1947 had till 2004 and never had coolant.  It was rebuilt 3 times. I also have a 4x6 saw used 1970's. It great saw as have close to where you work. The large saws is difficult to move. Even took to jobs. Dave

Originally Posted by BD1

psacustomcreations covered it well and no need for anything else to be considered.I've been cutting dry with my ELLIS, which as mentioned, is a dry cut saw. Dry cutting is one of the reasons I bought an ELLIS.  I have not had an blade issues with it at all. My 15 year old Harbor Freight 4x6 is still going and that was always used dry.
Reply:

Hot tip I got from Lisle2323... lubricates and avoids the mess...just wipe it on the blade during use like beeswax...The harder you fall, the higher you bounce...250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
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Originally Posted by Freebirdwelds

In a nut shell.
Reply:The Ellis compressed air option to clear swarf and cool the blade was ridiculously priced so I made my own…..


Sent from my iPad using TapatalkLast edited by Lis2323; 1 Week Ago at 11:45 AM.:
Reply:

Originally Posted by Lis2323

The Ellis compressed air option to clear swarf and cool the blade was ridiculously priced so I made my own…..
Reply:Our Machine shop had a fairly large bandsaw, the blade was 2 inches wide and 28 feet long, coolant depended on what we were cutting, steels got coolant, cast iron was cut dry to prevent it from gumming up stuff, brass & bronze were cut dry, copper was done both ways depending on purity. Our machines with coolant pumps used soluble oil as it both cooled and provided some lubrication. BTW, that saw would cut within .010" on a 30 inch diameter. For my Harbor Freight saw I sometimes use a lubricant(bees wax??) encased in a plastic tube that is held against the blade. I think I got it at Harbor Freight.NRA LIFE MEMBERUNITWELD 175 AMP 3 IN1 DCMIDSTATES 300 AMP AC MACHINELET'S GO BRANDON!"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Reply:Be a cheaper Brand X version of that Walter's tube I posted...The harder you fall, the higher you bounce...250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:I like the bees wax lubricants. A machine shop will used coolant  for saw but for machining the typically poor oil all over the part and you have clean before welding and or painting.I think it come down to use or not to use coolant is speed and what cutting.  Now to go buy bees wax.Dave

Originally Posted by CAVEMANN

Our Machine shop had a fairly large bandsaw, the blade was 2 inches wide and 28 feet long, coolant depended on what we were cutting, steels got coolant, cast iron was cut dry to prevent it from gumming up stuff, brass & bronze were cut dry, copper was done both ways depending on purity. Our machines with coolant pumps used soluble oil as it both cooled and provided some lubrication. BTW, that saw would cut within .010" on a 30 inch diameter. For my Harbor Freight saw I sometimes use a lubricant(bees wax??) encased in a plastic tube that is held against the blade. I think I got it at Harbor Freight.
Reply:I found I always got more fine metal splinters in my hands when using coolant/lube. Rarely happens when cutting dry. How did you find bees wax lube for splinters Dave?
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Originally Posted by Woznme

How did you find bees wax lube for splinters Dave?
Reply:

Originally Posted by 52 Ford

I'm not Dave, but I've never seen bees wax splinter lubricant...

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Reply:I haven't found it a problem with the Walter's product, but I'm not dealing in the volume of work you are.  I'm not sure about the cheaper variations.The harder you fall, the higher you bounce...250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:I think I’ve only had to use my bandsaw once in the last three years. Everything I’ve needed to cut I could do on the dry cut saw. Anything too big for the bandsaw I used the O/A or plasma cutter.:
Reply:I have never has a saw that used coolant.  However, I do cut a large volumes on an Ellis.  MostDamage comes from incorrect blade count or poor cutting technique resulting in chipped teeth or crimped blade.  I cannot complain about blade life/wear if all goes well.I imagine in ideal situation, wear would be a measure of increased cut time rather than breakage.My steel vendor uses a dry blade for their convenience cutting.