Cutting fluid when cutting metal?

[golfer1]

I've got a DeWalt band saw with a Swag table to cut out knives. Do any of you use a cutting fluid or lube of any kind or just take it slow and try not to overheat the knife and sawblade?

 

[Busto]

Using a portaband with variable speed control you want to take it slow. The simple carbon steels cut fairly easy on thinner stock however as you go up to 1/4-3/8" and thicker material you need to slow down and even more with additional material contacting the blade. The Stainless is even more difficult due to all the additional alloys however as you allow the blade to do its job without being impatient you will find it cuts well. When I work with thicker material I use a solid stick lube that is quite inexpensive(couple dollars a tube) and not messy "Boelube" and you just push it up and against the outside of the blade ONLY keep it away from the inner rubber drive wheels. I also use the lube on my end mills and small drill bits GOOD STUFF!!!

Mike

 

[melsdad]

Get yourself a noga mini cool system and use the Kool mist formula 77 coolant. Works great and can be moved around the shop to different machines.

Here is a package deal.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/222336449919?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

 

[Drew Riley]

I'll often put a couple drops of some kind of cutting lube on the outside of my blade. As it goes around, it wills start to pool on the side of the cut and sort of "self feed". It really doesn't take too much, and I have noticed a difference. I like Castrol Molydee, though I've got a couple of different brands around the shop, and they all work. I'm gonna have to try the boelube though.

 

[stezann]

DOn't mess with lubes....your portaband's wheels are not made to run with coolants. Just take it slow and do pauses

 

[HSC ///]

LPS Tapmatic EDGE lube wax bar or some equivalent

 

[Drew Riley]

DOn't mess with lubes....your portaband's wheels are not made to run with coolants. Just take it slow and do pauses

I generally just put a couple of drops on the outer periphery of the blade, so not much if any gets on the wheels. I agree, you should try to avoid getting much if any on the wheels, and there's certainly no need for a flood coolant or anything like that. Even a misting system would probably be over kill for something like a porta-band.

 

[Mahoney]

The blades do seem to last a bit longer if you use a little cutting lube. I usually use one of the solid "wax stick" lubes

 

[stezann]

Cutting with lube is better for the blade, without discussions...
The real concern is the machine when it is not built for lube. If the rubber on the wheels gets contaminated it could swell or otherwise decay...or just get slippery. In case of water rust issues are to be expected.
Wax is used with jeweler's saw, but in a bandsaw i won't swear the cooling/lubricating action would add more benefits than the downsides which consists in collecting swarf in between the teeth...i will try myself to test it.

 

[golfer1]

I'll give the Bloelube a try and see how it goes. Let you guys know later.