Best stick lube for cutting aluminum?

richard newman · Dec 1, 2020

Wondering what's the best stick lube for band sawing and milling aluminum?

I mostly cut 6061 T651, Mic6, up to 3" thick. I like the stick lube, much less mess for me in a wood shop, and easier on my skin. Been using a tube of Relton Stick-Kut for yrs, time to replace it, thought I'd ask if there's a better alternative.

Thanks
Richardb

edit - I use carbon steel and bi-metallic blades, carbide & hss endmills

Dan from Oakland · Dec 1, 2020

bar of paraffin canning wax from the local grocery store.

Scottl · Dec 1, 2020

Does DoAll still sell their branded stuff? That was the first stick lube I ever used. They had it at a place where I was working.

I've been using CUT-EASE for years in my home shop and it seems to work as well as the DoAll stuff.

camscan · Dec 1, 2020

A candle maybe.

steve-l · Dec 1, 2020

lamb fat very old fashioned, but it works. Keep it in the fridge though.

Scottl · Dec 1, 2020

camscan said:
A candle maybe.

Nope. Won't hold a candle to the dedicated cutting wax formulations.

Couldn't resist the pun.

moldcore · Dec 1, 2020

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/00262600?fromRR=Y

I've used this for more than 10 years. Works for us.

crossthread · Dec 1, 2020

Beeswax. I melt it and pour it in rolled up paper tubes.

Scottl · Dec 1, 2020

I just walked by the drill press and there is a smaller (thick crayon sized) tube of TAP-EASE cutting wax, also from AGS products.

Ken hosford · Dec 1, 2020

not stick but Crisco and bacon fat the latter repels some religious groups

Cole2534 · Dec 1, 2020

I always heard good things about the LPS Tapmatic Edge lubes, they have one in a stick formation. https://www.amazon.com/LPS-43200-Tapmatic-Cutting-Fluid/dp/B000CDAVWC

EPAIII · Dec 1, 2020

I only recently purchased a stick of the LPS Tapmagic. I have been using it mostly at the drill presses and so far, it seems to be good. I was concerned about how it would work because it was a solid instead of a liquid which can penetrate into the crack between the cutting edge and the chip. But I quickly discovered that it melts from the heat generated and is a liquid after the cutting begins.

I will be trying it at the band saw next.

I have not used other brands so I can not provide any comparison.

Cole2534 said:
I always heard good things about the LPS Tapmatic Edge lubes, they have one in a stick formation. https://www.amazon.com/LPS-43200-Tapmatic-Cutting-Fluid/dp/B000CDAVWC

boslab · Dec 1, 2020

I had a box of saw wax sticks about the size as polishing compound, I used the on a kaltenbach upstroke Ali saw, chucked them under a bench in a lock up I had, came back a week later the thing was gone, box as well, the rats had hot in and ate them!, they turned out to be tallow based, 25lbs of fat!
Mark

crossthread · Dec 2, 2020

I remember my grandfather using crayons (not when he had dementia and in a nursing home). He used them on the drill press and his band saw.

5 axis Fidia guy · Dec 2, 2020

If you insist on stick lube, Acculube makes a nice one.

projectnut · Dec 2, 2020

I use this:

Cut-Ease Cutting Lubricant, Stick, 1 lb - AGS Company

IO originally bought it for use on a cold saw when cutting 6061 square stock. Recently I had to cut an number of pieces of 5" 6061. It wouldn't fit in the cold saw so I used the horizontal bandsaw. It worked great. Mine might be in a little older tube. The printing on the side recommends it for use on aluminum, but doesn't say anything about plastics.

tnmgcarbide · Dec 2, 2020

bacon grease. cuts great.....smells like breakfast... too much of a distraction to have hungry sawyers
on the job , pondering the next shift break.

mattthemuppet · Dec 2, 2020

home shop harry here, but I use kerosene for cutting alu on the lathe and mill. Doesn't smell as nice as WD40 (I'd use that stuff for aftershave if my wife would let me) but it's a hell of a lot cheaper. Don't use anything on the bandsaw for alu as it tends to make the chips stick together and make a clumped up mess.

richard newman · Dec 3, 2020

Thanks for the suggestions. Seems like there's no clear winner, probably go with the Tapmatic as McMaster carries it. I was hoping there was some new special sauce out there, never hurts to ask.

The bacon or lard would be tasty, but this building can have rodent problems, prefer not to share the shop with critters.

Best stick lube for cutting aluminum?

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