Oils & Cutting Fluids

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Expected delivery: Tue, Nov 17

Oils and cutting fluids cover both equipment lubrication and metal cutting. This subcategory includes general purpose machine oils, gear oils, hydraulic oils, way oils, air tool oils, straight cutting oils, tapping fluids and pastes, and water-soluble coolant concentrates. Maintenance departments use the lubricating oils for scheduled service, while machine shops and fabricators use cutting fluids for drilling, tapping, sawing and turning.

What to check before you order

  • Viscosity grade. Industrial oils are listed by ISO viscosity grade, and some gear oils use SAE or AGMA grades. Use the grade the equipment manufacturer specifies.
  • Oil type. Hydraulic, gear and way oils contain different additives for their jobs. Do not swap one for another unless the equipment maker allows it.
  • Cutting fluid type. Straight oils give strong lubrication for heavy tapping and slow cuts. Soluble oils and synthetics are mixed with water to cool high-speed machining.
  • Metal compatibility. Some cutting fluids are not recommended for aluminum, brass or copper. Check the label for the metals it suits.
  • Mixing and handling. Mix coolant concentrates at the ratio on the label, and read the SDS for skin protection, storage and disposal.

Pair cutting fluids with drill bits and taps and dies. See also grease and anti-seize or all Lubricants & Chemicals.

Common questions

What does ISO VG mean on oil?

ISO VG is a viscosity grade based on kinematic viscosity in centistokes at 40 degrees C, so ISO VG 68 is close to 68 cSt. SAE engine and gear grades use different scales and are not interchangeable.

How do I check water-soluble coolant concentration?

Use a handheld refractometer. Read the scale with a few drops of coolant on the prism, then multiply by the refractometer factor on the coolant label.

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