dogdad
Well-known member
Should one use only pneumatic oil in air tools or is it just another reason to buy another companies oil...anyone use other "oils" besides the required/ suggested pneumatic oil?
Truth or just an excuse
- Thread starter dogdad
- Start date
B_Bimmer
Well-known member
My thoughts exactly.
mudflap
Well-known member
Iv'e been around the County garage a long time...and heard about every kind of "secret family recipe"...and "voodo mixture" there is.. combinations including (but not limited to)...motor oil / ATF / pu55y juice / marvel oil / snail snot / WD-40 / sunscreen / 3 in 1 / etc...And i guess all that stuff works... But dedicated air tool lubricant displaces moisture, conditions seals, and is mineral oil based...which means it wont hurt you to breathe it...Thats important if you work in a shop that air tools are frequently in use...
gdocktor3
Well-known member
Ok, what is ***** juice and snail shot?
mudflap
Well-known member
mudflap
Well-known member
But the snail snot is when you go out on the porch barefoot in the morning to get the paper..and step on a big-ol slug..its what squishes up between your toes....
Iv'e been in the County garage a long time
It lubricates, and makes your tool smell good.....
Think they should let you out of the Country Garage more often
Last edited:
Dr Stan
Well-known member
Ditto!
BTW, just use air oil. As previously stated its cheap and designed for air tools.
lakeroadster
Well-known member
I put a quick squirt of WD-40 in the air hose fitting when I go to put them away, hook the air hose back up, pull the trigger twice, and put the tool away.
That's worked for a couple decade's.
I love the smell of WD-40 in the barn...
That's worked for a couple decade's.
I love the smell of WD-40 in the barn...
L5wolvesf
Well-known member
Well, it was a secret
***** juice is a hardening agent.
snail snot - what you haven't heard a snail sneeze?
SuperCheyenne
Well-known member
Back when I chewed tobacco I would spit in my die grinder when it would "slow down". Alot has changed in 25 years but I still have the die grinder and it still works.
mudflap
Well-known member
Well...i guess i didn't hear them all yet. Bakky juice is a new one...lol
Roberts210
Well-known member
The reason to use pneumatic oil is it won't dry out and leave crud on the surfaces like automotive oil will. Multi weight detergent oil will dry out and should never be used in compressors or in air tools.
Farmall 1066
Well-known member
I've used IH Hy-Tran hydraulic oil for years. Got air tools 25+ years old and still going.
ciscoford23
Well-known member
I use Super Lube air tool lubricant, $15.00 qt.
SuzukiGS750EZ
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2012
- Messages
- 3,273
My buddy used marvel mystery oil right off the matco truck. I always used automatic transmission fluid but did buy a bottle of IR oil when I bought my timax
SuzukiGS750EZ
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2012
- Messages
- 3,273
I've also heard of people using deep Creep but I personally think it's too thin. Probably would be good for a gummed up tool though
ptschram
Well-known member
More importantly, use it before AND after use!
crazylunker
Well-known member
red94chev
Well-known member
Been using PB blaster or WD-40 for my whole life up until I recently bought the first bottle of air tool oil ever.
Cope
Well-known member
I use air tool oil or Marvel.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
mineral oil doesn't mean its safe for human ingestion. I very much doubt 'food grade mineral oil ' is used in air tool formulations , even if it were it still not deemed totally safe> infact all motor oil is made from base mineral oils. The name mineral oil by itself is imprecise.
mudflap
Well-known member
I'm no oil expert..the only reason i even mentioned that is due to a voluntary OSHA inspection we underwent a few yrs ago.. No fines, but a program, they came in, and gave us a list of things that would be violations, then we had 30 days to respond in reference to how we had corrected the would be violations.. I don't remember what the exact legal eagle terminology they used..but something about airborne hazards/particulate something.. and recommended we stop using ATF / wd-40/ etc.. and went on to explain how dedicated air tool lubricant is safer... so i buy it by the qt from NAPA now..and require all my techs to use only that...in their air tools. They also got us on trip hazards, unguarded pinch points, unmarked floor space at electrical panels, taped/spliced electrical cords, and a blocked exit........lol But it was a positive experience, i now know what they look for, and can keep us in compliance..
Wow - a positive OSHA inspection experience - I wasn't aware such a thing was even possible.
Will S.
Well-known member
Not me, but have a fiend who was a full-time auto mechanic is a very shop, and used PB Blaster in his impact and other air tools, and after decades, he still uses those same tools without issues.
I have only used "pneumatic" tool oil; e.g. a low-vis oil, but I really think almost any thin oil will work.
I have only used "pneumatic" tool oil; e.g. a low-vis oil, but I really think almost any thin oil will work.
fatfillup
Well-known member
Don't forget about weasel piss. Works great
Empty Pockets
Well-known member
I generally lose a bottle of air tool oil, before I empty it. It's cheap, and they last forever. I vote to use the right lube for the job
jl4c
Well-known member
Wow - a positive OSHA inspection experience - I wasn't aware such a thing was even possible.
You need to meet OSHA's big brother, MSHA.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I bought a 20-ish ounce bottle at HF. Seems the same as the IR branded stuff I had bought. Once I accidentally mixed compressor PAG oil into my bottle of air tool oil. Ran it anyways with no problems.
I get the feeling most anything will work, but I've been sticking with the HF stuff.
I get the feeling most anything will work, but I've been sticking with the HF stuff.
bubinga
Well-known member
IM using ISO 32 Hyd. oil.
ddawg16
Well-known member
I would NEVER use WD40 in air tools.
If you are concerned about air born particles from ATF....you're using too much.
I've used it for years and my tools still work and I'm still alive.
If you are concerned about air born particles from ATF....you're using too much.
I've used it for years and my tools still work and I'm still alive.
bubinga
Well-known member
Old timer mechanic said use pretty much anything.
I've been using ISO 32 for a while. Parts store man, (he was pretty sharp) said MMO too.
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
I've been using ISO 32 for a while. Parts store man, (he was pretty sharp) said MMO too.
Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk
lakeroadster
Well-known member
Why?
67King
Well-known member
Automotive lubricants are very specialized. They have additives that work under certain temperature ranges, designed to work with certain types of friction (rolling, sliding, etc.), and with certain chemical contaminants. The also help protect seals designed to work in the same environment.
Now, pneumatic tools get colder, not hotter, have moisture as the primary contaminant (not exhaust gasses from blowby), and have seals designed for sucher environments. I personally think that the 300 degree temperature difference is the biggest factor. For example, a _w40 oil has the same kinematic viscosity at 230 that a _w50 does at 250. If it is designed to flow at that temperature, it will be like honey at 0.
So the better question is why one would use something other than what is specified?
Side note. Ester base stocks (Group V) are vegetable derived. In their purest form, they are actually clear. So it isn't unreasonable to assume some airborne oil fog won't be as bad as others.
Now, pneumatic tools get colder, not hotter, have moisture as the primary contaminant (not exhaust gasses from blowby), and have seals designed for sucher environments. I personally think that the 300 degree temperature difference is the biggest factor. For example, a _w40 oil has the same kinematic viscosity at 230 that a _w50 does at 250. If it is designed to flow at that temperature, it will be like honey at 0.
So the better question is why one would use something other than what is specified?
Side note. Ester base stocks (Group V) are vegetable derived. In their purest form, they are actually clear. So it isn't unreasonable to assume some airborne oil fog won't be as bad as others.
mbshop
Well-known member
The secret to longevity is to be using any sort of lube. Some don't use any lube and those are the ones that have a short life. In the early days we used atf. As soon as I saw ait tool oil I switched. Never a problem. So just make sure you lube yer air tools and you will be fine.
mbshop
Well-known member
Just to add to this, many impacts require grease in the impact mechanism so don't forget that.