Printable View
Paraffin makes a nice lubricant for my bandsaw blade, plus it is almost free. I’ve used the same wax for over 15 years.
If you are interested, please see
https://rick.sparber.org/ParaffinLub.pdf
Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.
Thanks,
Rick
<!-- BEGIN /var/www/html/homemadetools/protected/modules/zeus/views/tool/postUpdate.php -->
Thanks rgsparber! We've added your Bandsaw Lubrication Fixture to our Bandsaws category,
as well as to your builder page: rgsparber's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:
<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-bandsaw-lubrication-fixture"> <img src="/uploads/232321/homemade-bandsaw-lubrication-fixture.png"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-bandsaw-lubrication-fixture">Bandsaw Lubrication Fixture</a> <span> by <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/builder/rgsparber">rgsparber</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/bandsaw'>bandsaw</a>, <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/lubrication'>lubrication</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
<!-- END /var/www/html/homemadetools/protected/modules/zeus/views/tool/postUpdate.php -->
Neat idea. I've also used the cutting wax tubes for years. But I'm not as creative as you.
I just sort of brush the end of the stick against the teeth of the blade while running so that it kinda rakes off the end of the stick. That picks up the wax on the teeth, some of which then deposits at the leading edge of the cut. This produces an accumulation forming just ahead of the blade, and as it progresses, the wax is drug into the cut a bit at a time providing lubricated blade for the rest of the cut. On longer cuts, I repeat the process.
I first started using a block of paraffin on my hand hacksaw blades - the heat in the blade was enough to melt the wax into a fine film.
Does your bandsaw blade get that hot?
Karl
Yes. It will melt the wax fairly quickly once into the cut a bit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Karl_H
Love it! Especially your method of recycling bits of candle wax with solar power. I also like the wax idea because it seems it would be less of a mess than oil. Thanks again.
Hi Rick and the other commenters, as I haven’t tried this I have a couple of questions: does the wax stay in contact with the blade during the entire cut and if so how.
How does the blade get lubricated on the other side. And most importantly what difference have you noticed it makes to your cuts.
I have a box full of wax so I’m keen to try this. Thanks Stuart.
As long as the block of paraffin is at least as tall as the stock, the blade will receive a continuous coating. The teeth cut the paraffin which is dragged into the cut and, somehow, does coat both sides of the blade. Hopefully, someone else has more understanding.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrounga
I found a discussion on this subject at https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/...andsaw.706083/.
Rick
This is a great idea for woodcutting but I am not sure that this concept is a good idea when cutting metal. Metal cutting bandsaws should ideally have “coolant” not “lubricant”. Most commercial cutting fluids do both. Bandsaws need lots of coolant flowing over the blade to take away the heat being generated, and preserve the temper of the blade.
Not wanting to argue, but I've cut a lot of metal on my bandsaw without coolant or lube and my bimetal blades last a long time. Granted I am not cutting with it 8 hours a day. I did use coolant when I had quite a bit of 1"x 6" hot rolled steel to cut but most of the time my work deals with smaller sizes.
I've never found my blade to get anywhere near hot enough to affect temper. I often check the blade after a cut and it is usually well within the easy to touch and hold range.
I think the use of wax is much cleaner than oil. genius idea. You're a smart person
I have no experience using common wax, but the wax sticks made for the purpose work very well. As I understand it (and as I do), you don't leave it in contact with the blade. I usually start the cut and let the teeth rake through the wax (tube held in my hand) as it starts cutting. This makes a small deposit of the wax on the material just ahead of the cut. As the blade heats up a bit and cuts through the wax buildup, the blade gets at least a few passes through before it's all gone. For common structural materials, that's likely the only application it will get. Longer cuts, every so often it gets another application (if I think about it). As I understand it, the wax (additives?) coats the blade and continues to provide benefits for some period of time.
And it may just be the K&N fallacy, but it seems to cut easier and faster, and the sound seems to be noticeably "smoother"(?) or less "raspy" when the wax is in use.
Does the wax have any adverse effect on the drive and idler wheels?
The sticks I use are intended for that use, and I've seen no problems resulting.
I have used the wax from the grocery store canning section and I have not noticed any adverse effects from it.
(Study of one.)