Oil is an essential part of all metalworking, from keeping things cool, increasing efficiency, speeding up processes and extending the life of machinery. How it does this depends on the composition of the fluid, how and where it is used, the climatic conditions and a great many other factors.
Completing some basic tasks in metalworking without oil can be done, but is not recommended. Indeed, some tasks being attempted without the use of oil will end in disaster, and be expensive and possibly injurious. Here are three oil-worthy tasks in particular:
1. Blackening steel
Blackening steel is one of the best way to protect it from the spectre of rust. Also having the happy result of producing an attractive finish, oil is the difference to the success of your blackening efforts. Any good quality motor oil will help you produce a good result; just ensure you take all of the right safety precautions.
2. Cutting
Few metalworking tasks would get far down the road without the use of a good cutting fluid. Ideal for machining any metal except the likes of brass and iron, you need to ensure the cutting oil can maintain a stable temperature and provide good lubrication to the working edge.
3. Sanding
One of the most simple and straightforward jobs when working with metal, sanding can clinch the difference between a passable finish and an excellent one. Working with an emery cloth and good quality oil will produce the desired results.
Such is the complexity and range of oil uses today, the major manufacturers like Q8, Fuchs, and Mobil spend millions researching the best oils for the right jobs. Though there are a host of oils that can be used for each task, one particular type of oil will likely perform far better than another seemingly identical one.