Bio-Quench Redux

No word yet. I will try to call tomorrow. I meant to call them today but I started my new job this week. I got my RN in May and now I'm working in the Trauma/Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Via-Christi St. Francis in Wichita. I know that's OT but I'm pretty darn pleased with myself! Anyway, like I said, I intend to call them tomorrow but I've been busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest, so don't hold your breath. :D

Joe, I agree 100% about the Bio-Quench vs. the Quench K. According to Houghton it's as good as or better than the Quench K for 1084/1095/W1/W2, according to Scott MacKenzie it should work for O1 and 5160 AND it's even reasonably environmentally friendly! I'm willing to pay a little premium for that package. Now, if only I can find out what that price actually is...
 
So I got the price today for a 55 gallon drum of Bio-Quench 700. By itself, it's $770. Shipping to KS is $133. Total is $903. Which makes each 5 gal bucket approx. $82. Shipping a 5 gallon bucket is between $20 and $30 depending on carrier and distance (I'll shop around). But the long and short of it is, you can expect the price to be no more than $112. Which is pretty close to what you'd pay for Parks #50 from Mr. Ellis. And I want to be clear, I'm not looking to undercut him. I just want to try this stuff without paying Houghton's -punitive- 5 gallon price, which is $158! Yikes!
So, who's still interested? I can't afford a whole drum on my lonesome. Let me know! :D
 
Holy Crap!:eek: I won't go into details because differing cicumstances can apply, but that is way more that I have ever paid for a quenchant, that is way, way, way more. Now I am intensely curious as to how much Houghtons other oils may run. The only reason I chimed in here is that those prices actually give credibility to the old argument of quench oil being too expensive to use instead of bacon grease and 10W40. Perhaps I am not surprised since it has "Bio" in the name, when will the green earth people learn that $$$$ is what drives most peoples habits? If they want people to be "green" they got to offer them something that saves them some "green".;)
 
When I spoke with them in Jan. they were asking just under $10/Ga for Houghto-Quench K in 55Ga drums. Just under $20 if you only buy 5Ga. Their polymer quench was slightly more, but since it gets mixed a gallon goes a lot further. I feel that it's the best deal they have running, if you're willing to do the work.

I'm not sure how much the prices would have gone up - I'm sure their operating expenses are closely tied to oil and energy prices.

Peanut oil runs about $10/ga here and motor oil runs just under $10 for 5 quarts of the cheapest stuff around. The pricing I got didn't seem that bad relative to those. Of course, none of that is as cheap as brine...
 
When I heard from my northeast Houghton rep, he told me that the HoughtoQuench K was going to run me over $100.00 for a 5 gallon bucket, nevermind the shipping. This Bio-quench deal is about par for everything else quoted to me.

I got 5 quarts of canola oil (which is the base of Bio Quench) from a box store for $11.00. That will do for now.

I am still interested in the Bio Quench, but just 5 gallons now.

Thanks
 
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Yeah. Canola oil is starting to sound pretty damn good in comparison. The cost/benefit analysis is kicking my ass. I thought I wanted to try the "best" quench out there but I had all day to think about this and I just don't know anymore.
 
Ouch. At those prices, that puts me out. Even if I picked it up it would have to wait till finances got better. So I'll stick to used veggie oil for now and keep waiting to try "real" quench oil.

ron
 
Veg. oils, ATF, motor oil, hyd. fluid mineral oil end up costing more than shelf price... usually sales tax and traveling costs. They don't last as long, either. Flashing those oils kills them in a hurry where quench oils have more resistance to the oxidation... some more, some less though... Park #50 reportedly doesn't deal with flashing well at all. Houghto-quench "K" & "G" are equivalent to Park #50 & AAA and more stable over their life time. Maybe not as all-around ideal as Bio-quench 700 but a lot better tool than veg. oils, etc.

Mike
 
It breaks down to $22.40/gallon. In those terms it doesn't look quite so bad but it's still more than ATF or veg oil. Long term, I'm sure it's cheaper to go with the real deal. It's the short term that makes it tougher. Thinking of it as a tool helps. Hmmm. Anybody still want in? It is still pretty close to the price of Parks #50. Joe would like 5 gallons. I would like 5 gallons. That leaves 9 more 5 gallon buckets available. Speak up! If you want less than 5 gallons, I'm okay with that too but it drives shipping cost per unit up.
 
Ron, you saved my life! That's what my two year old Matilda says when you do something nice for her. I'm going to check that bunch out right now! It never occurred to me to search for knifemakers in KS (slaps forehead). Seems like a pretty obvious step at this point.
 
I'm not trying to sound like a snob (you're already thinking I am one now aren't you? damn it!!! :p) but..... IF you are selling your knives, it doesn't take long to pay for this type of stuff so long as you keep in mind it's helping you to make the best knife that you can.

Like 4 years ago when I first got ahold of Park #50, I got 20 gallons (4 buckets) delivered to the house for about $180 total. At the time, that seemed rediculous compared to Vet grade mineral oil ;) but I haven't ever regretted it.

To play devil's advocate... it does seem insane that these places can take a mineral or vegetable oil base, add a few little addatives to it and get such high prices.

But then again, it's insane that I can take a piece of tool steel, whack it a few times with a hammer and get $1500 for it. ;)
 
That's an excellent point. However, I have yet to sell a knife. I'm mostly making them for personal use and satisfaction at this point. But I do want to use the right tools. Also, if I could get 20 gallons of Parks for $180, well then, I wouldn't have posted this. :D
 
I'm not trying to sell knives at this point. If fact this year I've yet to finish anything other than a few small tools for my own use. And if the money isn't there, then it just ain't there and I can't afford it.

ron
 
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