best penetrating oils

Frank Fusco

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This story came to me from one of the guy's in the EAA club Interesting !!


Subject: Fwd: Penetrating Oils
"Machinist's Workshop" recently published information on various penetrating oils. The magazine reports they tested these products for "break out "torque" on rusted nuts and bolts. A subjective test was made of popular penetrating oils, with the unit of merit being the torque required to remove the nut from a "scientifically rusted" bolt.
Average torque load to loosen nut:

No Oil used ........................516 foot pounds
WD-40 ..................... ........238 foot pounds
PB Blaster .........................214 foot pounds
Liquid Wrench ......................127 foot pounds
Kano Kroil .........................106 foot pounds
ATF/Acetone mix..................... 53 foot pounds

The ATF/Acetone mix is a "home brew" mix of 50/50 automatic transmission fluid and acetone. Note this "home brew" released bolts better than any commercial product in this one particular test.
Our local machinist group mixed up a batch, and we all now use it with equally good results. Note also that Liquid Wrench is almost as good as Kroil for 20% of the price.
ATF/Acetone mix is best, but you can also use ATF and lacquer thinner in a 50/50 mix. ATF = Any type of Automatic Transmission Fluid
 
I first heard about that mixture several years ago, tried it, and have been using it ever since. Kroil is a good commercial product, too, but the 'home brew' beats it.
 
Roger, the acetone would eat right through most platic bottles. Something like Nalgene (expensive) might resist though. Howzabout a plain old oil can? Do they even make those anymore?
 
I've stored Acetone in a bottle similar to these for years. No meltage yet.

image_7770.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-3-8-oz-storage-bottles-with-twist-caps-66170.html

<fast forward through time just slightly>

Ok, I have some of these in the garage so just went and put some acetone in it to test it out. If it melts, I'll let you know.

But while we are on the general topic, any recipes for a home made 'cutting oil', for drilling and tapping holes?
 
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quote...But while we are on the general topic, any recipes for a home made 'cutting oil', for drilling and tapping holes?
Last edited by Brent Dowell; Today at 11:41 AM.end quote....


Bacon grease but it goes bad over time. Condensed milk for brass and copper. WD 40 for Aluminum. But the real stuff is cheap enough in small quantities..

Garry
 
Hi,

Here is my 2 cents worth.

I have stored acetone in plastic bottles for years. I use old "eye drops" bottles for delicate work. Old "saline solution" bottles are for a larger flow of fluid. Bottles like Brent uses for a heavier flow. I have never used a spray bottle of any kind so have no information about that. The bottles I have used have been the "soft" plastic type. I have not used metal lids on any of them.

The bottle on the right was from some nutrition drink that was in the house. I don't remember what it was.

Enjoy,

JimB

I am sure that there are a lot of plastic bottles that acetone will destroy---turns them into model airplane glue.
 

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If it's rust your are fighting then coke is a pretty good but slow penetrating fluid. Heat is often your best friend. I have never found anything that works well with the mess you get with steel fasteners in aluminum blocks, heads ect.
 
Successful experiment. It's been 5 hours and no sign of melting or damage.

I've stored Acetone in a bottle similar to these for years. No meltage yet.

View attachment 72309

http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-3-8-oz-storage-bottles-with-twist-caps-66170.html

<fast forward through time just slightly>

Ok, I have some of these in the garage so just went and put some acetone in it to test it out. If it melts, I'll let you know.

But while we are on the general topic, any recipes for a home made 'cutting oil', for drilling and tapping holes?
 
There is no known solvent or adhesive for polyethylene, which is what most squeeze or spray bottles are made of. If you can come up with a solvent or adhesive you will be a very wealthy person.
 
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