Reply To: Alternatives for the oil rag in a can.
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I use a large Rx bottle (plastic) with the rag sticking out the top for a quick swipe on all my metal tools. I also use Mobil 1 synthetic oil.
Below is a little research project that one of our Guild members did on the subject. He was a researcher at Eastman Kodak so I know it is thorough. A bit long but his conclusion prompted me to shift from the oil I was using. Works very well.
“I’m following up on a question that relates to the oil that I use in my shop, particularly on my hand planes. I mentioned that I use Mobil 1 oil and some of you wanted to know which viscosity to buy. I did some research and it turns out that 20w-50 and 10w-30 Mobil 1 oil is preferred I guess that I’m not alone. On an internet search I found others also using
Mobil 1 synthetic on their tools and guns. Years ago I used a light oil on hand planes, the same oil that I used for rifles, RemOil. It worked well, but I found that it tended to disappear (flash off) over time and would get sticky (varnish) over time.
Decades ago I started to using synthetic oil in my motor cars and shortly after kept some of it in my shop. I have experimented with different “natural” oils recommended by Lie-Nelson like Jojoba and some other plant oil that I don’t remember. I was in the Lie-Nelson store at closing and observed that the attendant wiped down all of their display tools every night with Jojoba oil. I guess it works okay if you use it every day!
The plant oils lacked the lubricity and corrosion protection that I look for I kept coming back to Mobil 1 to wipe down my steel tools. I also stopped using “dinosaur” oil on my rifles about 10 years ago. For the last decade I have used Militec-1 which is a synthetic oil. Now I have found an analysis of RemOil, Militec-1, and Mobil 1. I now have experience with each oil and actual test data to compare my assumptions with test data. Guess what, in
terms of lubricity, flash point, and viscosity over various temperatures, Mobil 1 is superior to the other two. Additionally Mobil 1 costs less for a quart that my Miltec-1 costs for 0.5oz.! The synthetics don’t varnish like dinosaur oil and have superior lubricity.
I found a direct correlation in viscosity of the Mobil 1 and Militec 1which leads me to a
recommendation for viscosity of Mobil 1. If you are really picky use Mobil 1 20w-50 for general firearms, use Mobil 1 10w-30 for firearms with tight tolerances (like an AR 15), use Mobil 1 20w-50 for hand tools. Or use what ever synthetic oil you have left over after changing the oil in your car
Now, if you store equipment for long periods of time use Boshield T9 (has wax included with oil and solvent) on metal surfaces (for maximum corrosion protection) and use Mobil 1 on bearing surfaces. I do this during the summer when my shop is seeing little use. Take care”