It’s never a good idea to use flammable, petroleum-based oils as lubricants in power tools. Here are the two most common ones to avoid: Dieselĭiesel is petroleum-based and combustible. Lubricating oil alternatives are legion, but some options are detrimental to your pneumatic tool’s operation. However, continuous use of this lubricant can disintegrate the O-rings and will result in air leakage or jammed pistons. Your power tool only requires a couple of drops of oil, and one-time use of sewing machine oil is unlikely to cause any damage. Sewing machine oil may react with the rubber sealing and has a higher viscosity. Unlike air tool oils that are mineral oils or synthetic, the sewing machine oil is a petroleum-based lubricant. If you have no other alternative, you could use sewing machine oil as air tool oil, although it is not recommended. So, can sewing machine oil be used for pneumatic tools? This is a common lubricant found in many households since a sewing machine needs to be oiled on a regular basis. You can use a low viscous compressor oil to lubricate your air tools, but not the other way around. Is Air Tool Oil the Same as Compressor Oil?Īir tool oil tends to be thinner than compressor oil. When in doubt, always refer back to the manual. Power tool equipment manuals should always indicate which pneumatic tool oil to use with the equipment, how much of it, and oil top-up frequency. The above listed are some of the common alternatives to pneumatic tool oils available, and these work well in most applications. Make sure that it is non-detergent and paraffin-free to avoid the build-up of wax inside your tool. Motor OilĪs a last resort, you could use 10W 30 low-weight synthetic motor oil. Make sure that you get the pneumatic tool oil and NOT the multipurpose penetrating oil. The 3-in-one air tool oil also dissolves sludge and gummy residue in your tool, operating it more smoothly. It’s perfect for most household applications with moving parts, like hinges, tools, nuts and bolts, and sewing machines. This oil is thin enough to work well in pneumatic power tools and doesn’t leave a gummy residue. The 3-in-1 oil seems to be the exception to the rule when it comes to petroleum-based oils and air tools. Generally, petroleum-based lubricants are not ideal for power tools as they can cause damage to elastomeric rubber sealings. The 3-in-1 Oilģ-in-1 Oil is a petroleum-based oil that’s been in use for generations. This oil has a low viscosity at low temperatures, making it compatible with most pneumatic applications. However, hydraulic oils usually have high viscosity and you cannot use oil with high weight on pneumatic tools. Hydraulic oils are ideal for high-pressure hydraulic applications, but they can also be used to lubricate lightly loaded compressors. It’s slightly more expensive than other all-purpose air tool oils but works really well and lasts long. It contains a strong solvent, which will help lubricate nearly any tool under most conditions, dissolving any gummy residue inside the tool. Marvel Mystery Oil is suitable for most applications and can be used with most pneumatic tools. Before using this oil, check for compatibility with your air tool. I suggest the Dexron Automatic Transmission Fluid as a cheaper alternative to air tool oils. ATFs are inexpensive and are perhaps the best air oil substitute. ATF reduces wear and tear in air tools without creating residue on surfaces.Īutomatic Transmission Fluid contains several useful additives including anti-oxidation additives, detergents, anti-foam compounds, etc. The transmission fluid works well for air tools, acting as a lubricant and generally allowing it to work as it should. Check the tool manual before using any of these alternatives to ensure that the specific oil is safe for your application. To ensure proper operation, these parts require lubrication, ensuring that the seals and O-rings move as they should without getting damaged.įollowing are some of the effective air tool oil substitutes. Compressed air moves the parts back and forth. Instead, got a thin film of oil between them and they have various seals and O-rings to ensure airtight sealing. The moving parts in air tools don’t touch. Here, the oil ensures less friction between moving components, prevents moisture and rust build-up, dissolves sludge, and protects O-rings. Pneumatic oil is essential for all forms of pneumatic equipment since it provides lubrication while the equipment is in use. This article unpacks potential alternatives and how to use them. This oil is often expensive and sometimes hard to come by, hence the need for viable alternatives. Most pneumatic tools require air tool oil for optimal functionality.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |