What oil to use on an oilstone

**jimbur** · 16th December 2012, 01:57 PM

I like John's approach. However, don't use linseed. As I found out many years ago it clogs and your Dad gives you a thick ear.

**orraloon** · 16th December 2012, 04:18 PM

Perhaps a go in the dishwasher.

Just dont get sprung.
Regards
John

**Russell Cook** · 9th January 2013, 11:32 AM

Hi,

Interesting that you can clean oilstones by soaking them in hot water.

Could I ask whether people think this would help to remove smashed abrasive particles and steel shards, or whether it is only removing oil from the stone?

Cheers.

**cava** · 12th January 2013, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by seanz

Sperm oil was used to quench plane irons. I was wondering why a very old Mathieson wooden jointer plane I have has very little corrosion on the iron. Apparently sperm oil is the reason.

As for oil for oilstones, I use a mix of kerosene and light mineral oil.........the light mineral oil is available for a very reasonable price from supermarkets.

Any idea if sperm oil is still available?

**Robson Valley** · 12th January 2013, 05:16 PM

The oil is simply the vehicle to carry away the swarf. I use 5W40 motor oil.
Sop up the mess with paper towel. More oil, just teaspoon-ful, then a gentle
brushing with a brass bristle BBQ brush. Then sop it up again. The deal is to keep the swarf moving and flush it all off. I maybe go 2x or 3x if I see that the stone isn't clear. It will clear off after scrubbing, much like a new stone, much to my surprise.

**msiemsen** · 12th February 2013, 12:59 PM

The goal of the oil is to carry away swarf and not to lubricate. I use lamp oil which is a modern replacement for sperm oil in lamps. Oil stones can be flattend with coarse sandpaper the same manner as plane soles. Calves (neatsfoot) and whales (sperm) do not need to die so you can sharpen.

**seanz** · 12th February 2013, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by cava

Any idea if sperm oil is still available?

Be real quick the next time one washes up on the beach?

We get Sperm Whales washed up dead here in NZ every now and then. Mostly the lower jaw gets cut off and the teeth are removed for carving. So there's a lot of waste.....

**Jack in Nepean** · 19th February 2013, 01:25 PM

As for cleaning oil stones, if you are single, squirt with dishwashing liquid and throw it in the dishwasher. If you have a wife, it's probably not such such a good idea.

Cheers

**Vann** · 19th February 2013, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by Jack in Nepean

If you have a wife, it's probably not such such a good idea.

Cheers, Vann,

**Colin62** · 19th February 2013, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by Jack in Nepean

As for cleaning oil stones, if you are single, squirt with dishwashing liquid and throw it in the dishwasher. If you have a wife, it's probably not such such a good idea.

Cheers

That's why the wife had to go...

**stevebaby** · 2nd April 2013, 05:04 PM

You can use ordinary dishwashing detergent as a lubricant for sharpening with oilstones. When it clogs just run it under a hot tap.

**lightwood** · 2nd April 2013, 05:49 PM

I just read this thread and noticed where the posts on this page came from...
in reverse order...

Craggy Island -
South Africa -
Petone, NZ -
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -
Mainland N.Z
Minnesota, USA
McBride BC Canada
Mornington Peninsula AU
Shangha
blue mountains AU
Victoria AU

I use a product I was given in a 20 l drum a few years ago, Castrol HONILO 430 RED, Metal Working Lubricant.
It works quite nicely. A search revealed it is mainly Mineral oil...my previous choice.

Regards,
Peter,
Also on the Mornington Peninsula...VIC, AU

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