RIO Bur Life?

[Bigmon]

Howdy all,
Just got my new jewelers saw and blades from RIO GRANDE.  They recommended I also get som BUR LIFE to use when sawing, drilling, filing, what ever.  Said it was good stuff.
No directions on use? wondering if anyone had any suggestions?
I put some on a barrel I was draw filing, couldn't see any difference.
But I just pinned the barrel and I used it on a steel tenon and it seemed easier than the brass ones without the bur life?  I just dipped the end of the bit in it.  It just seems like wax?
Thanks

[Mike Brooks]

I believe you put it on the blade whilst sawing. I know some folks use bee's wax. I how ever use nothing because I live life dangerously.....

[Craig Wilcox]

I use it all the time on blades and drill bits.  Just run the blade over it before you start sawing.  I have used both BurrLife and bees wax, both seem to help quite a bit.  Blades last a lot longer.  Unless you snap them cos you sneezed or something.
On the other hand, if you like to live a life just plumb full of danger like Mike...…  Don't bother to look both ways when you are at a stop sign.  But do continue to lube blades and bits.

[M. E. Pering]

Since I have kept bees, I used bee's wax to lube mine.  That is until I tried using nothing.  I found there to be absolutely no difference in a lubed or non-lubed blade.  No difference in cutting, no difference in speed, and no difference in blade life.  I wager I would find no difference with Rio's Bur Life either.

Matt

[davec2]

I have used Burr Life and it works well.  However, this is the best metal working stuff I have found for drilling, tapping, saws, etc., hands down:

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Boelube

It comes as a liquid, a solid, and as a paste.  I mostly use it in the solid form.  Works great for tapping the lock bolts through the stock without getting any lubricant on the wood. It also works great on my jeweler's saw blades.

[G_T]

The difference in cutting and blade life will depend on what you are cutting. I use a jeweler's saw both ways, depending. I find some steel cuts less gummy than some jewelry metals, for instance. But generally I would not cut steel without some lubricant, whether it is with a hacksaw or a milling machine. Aluminum I sometimes machine dry. Silver and gold alloys, I usually use Bur-Life, which IIRC is basically paraffin wax. Paraffin is less sticky than bees wax. When applying, the bees wax sticks better which is a benefit. However when cutting, the paraffin drops the chips better which is a benefit. Pick your poison. You can also use any oil just like you would with a hacksaw.

Gerald

[Clowdis]

I've never worn out a jeweler's saw blade. Always break them first.

[David Rase]

I have used Burr Life and it works well.  However, this is the best metal working stuff I have found for drilling, tapping, saws, etc., hands down:

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Boelube

It comes as a liquid, a solid, and as a paste.  I mostly use it in the solid form.  Works great for tapping the lock bolts through the stock without getting any lubricant on the wood. It also works great on my jeweler's saw blades.

I second Dave's recommendation on Boelube.  It is great stuff.  We used to use it as a lube for cutting the canopies on valves in the primary system of nuclear reactors.  One trick we used to do was to take the Boelube gel, add grade A water, put it all in the microwave to melt it down and mix it up so we could put it in a spray bottle.
David

[Craig Wilcox]

I do keep my Boelube on my drill press, and don't drill metal without it.  Never thought about using it on the jeweler's blades, but should work.

Now I am going to have to get some Boelube gel, and some distilled water, AND a microwave!  Oh - forgot I don't have any valves to cut on nuclear reactors!  Still, sounds like a novel approach.  I know the Boelube works great for keeping the drill bit from burning.

I think next I will try bear oil on my blades.  Was lucky enough to find a fine gentleman who donated some to me.  Keeps me from Bear hunting in this Amish farm community.

[Mike C]

Off topic but has anyone ever tried Boelube as a patch lube?
Mike C

[Bob Roller]

Never owned a jewelers saw but have 6 or7 6" hacksaws and put a drop of
tapping fluid on them and it works fine.I have a 57tpi slotting saw I use on screws
and it gets a drop or two of the Rapid Tap or whatever I have on hand.

Bob Roller

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Dave and Dave:  is this product better than Rapid Tap?

[David Rase]

Dave and Dave:  is this product better than Rapid Tap?

Taylor,
What I like most about the Boelube is that it is a cleaner product to use.  Not as messy both in touch and feel as well as smell.  The reason I say smell is that I use it for drilling holes into metal as well as tapping.  I think I can feel a slight improvement in the ease and smoothness of my cutting tools using Boelube.  Not enough that I would rush right out and buy a bottle.  I currently have both products in my shop.  When my Rapid Tap runs dry I will make my decision on another bottle of Rapid Tap or Boelube.
David 

[Craig Wilcox]

Mike C, that is a very good question.  It is enough of a solid that I think you might have to melt it a bit, and like most patch lubes, you wouldn't want to use too much.  Maybe pressing a patch into the Boelube?

If it weren't so dang cold and rainy, I'd go try that with my .45 Percussion.  Maybe tomorrow.  The range is only abt 5 miles.

If I try it, I will post in BP shooting.

[davec2]

Taylor,

I use the Boelube in all three forms, liquid, paste, and solid.  As far as a difference, I think the Boelube does a slightly better job, but I have no way to quantify that.  What I do like is that I can get the Boelube as a solid.  I do a lot of large diameter (i.e. 2" to 4") hole sawing in sheet steel.  spinning the hole saw against the Boelube stick is a lot easier than using conventional cutting lubes especially since most of the hole sawing is on vertical surfaces where the liquid lube runs off.  The solid Boelube liquifies when you touch a warm or hot drill point to it, so it is easier to apply without a lot of excess running all over things.  And, as I noted, I can use it to lube a tap that I am running through a stock to tap a lock bolt without worrying at all about getting cutting fluid on the wood.

Dave C