Just how does cutting oil differ from lubricating oil? It would seem to me they are polar opposites. If anyone knows I would like to hear from you. This question has always intrigued me. If I am out of cutting oil, would lube oil suffice or would it hinder the cutting action?

Once when I was young and dumb I went to a jobsite to drill some holes in a steel machine and forgot the cutting oil back at the shop. An older millwright advised me to use soldering paste, which I had plenty of, and it worken really well. The only problem was the paste is very corrosive and my drill bits I used that day rusted badly.

Thanks for any imput. There is a wealth of experience on this site and I hope someone can help.

 

Cutting oil is more for cooling purposes than lubrication purposes. When I need a little cutting oil for a small job I use Marvel Mystery Oil. It is probably not the best but I always have it on hand for my air tools.

Good luck,
Doc

 

Cutting oils contain mineral oils with appropriate additives such as chlorine, sulfur and fat. Lubricating oils are entirely different. Now, dont get me confused with somebody that has enough cutting oil in my shop. I rarely do, and when I need some, I grab some oil (like what ever is handy). PB Blaster is one of my favorite substitues, although it's probably not that great. WD-40 doesn't work good at all. PB does have a cutting oil and I like that stuff.

 

I use Tap Magic. I seem to get better life out of my bits when using this stuff verses any of the other cutting oils that I have tried and much better performance than the non cutting oils that I have used in the past when I was in a pinch.