Customer Reviews for Oatey 32 oz. Dark Thread Cutting Oil

I used this cutting oil to catch the metal slivers and help keep them from going into the void of the motor in my chainsaw. I had to use a helicoil to tap and re-thread for a spark plug. This oil did keep almost all metal out of the engine.

This tread cutting oil works at least as well as the brand I normally use (I will call it Brand T), it is a little thicker than my Brand T, so it stays on the tap a little better. The torque it takes to run the tap through the metal with both brands is very close so I will say that there is no difference between the two. It has a nice flip up pouring spout so it is easy to put it where you want it. All in all it does what it is supposed to do.

This review is for the Oatey 30203 Dark Cutting Oil, which I got a chance to check out. I'm not a machinist, nor (any longer) a mechanic - just a DIY'er homeowner who sometimes has to drill, tap, or thread some work or another. I don't own a lathe, just a drill press, and the threading/tapping I do is done by hand. The Oatey Dark Cutting Oil is specifically labeled for use in 'high speed' machines; my tap/die set is nice, but 'high speed' it ain't. However, I wanted to try the Oatey to see if I noticed any performance difference in the oils I normally use (which has been traditionally anything on hand, from WD-40 to 3-In-1 Oil to automatic transmission fluid). Having recently acquired the new tap/die set, though, I figured I'd up my game and use actually cutting oil. The bottom line - yes, it seems to make a difference; the work seems to go easier with the Oatey 30203 oil than it did with general lubricants. Of course, I'm not threading out an engine block - I just ran some practice runs on threading/tapping nuts and bolts and rod like I normally would do through the course of working on my own toys around the shop and house. Hand tools, of course, don't build up a ton of heat to begin with - there's just not enough RPM to start burning either bits or metal. That being said, with a hand tap you can definitely feel the difference when using an oil rather than trying to go "dry". The oil lubes the tool edge and offers a way to get the shavings and bits of metal out of the way of the work. There's a slight odor to the 30203 oil, but not enough to make the Boss complain when I used it in my basement workshop (it's winter, so the windows are all closed making odors even more noticeable). Oatey does note that contact with skin, eyes, or inhaling the fumes is to be avoided. You'll want to read the warnings on the bottle before using this stuff. Speaking of the bottle, it comes with a pop-up nozzle (see the attached photo), like you'd find on a can of lighter fluid - that's a nice touch that makes it easier to apply the product. If it had just a screw off pour top a lot of the fluid would go to waste. A little bit of the dark oil seems to go a long way; I tend to stop and apply a little more as the job progresses. I figure the oil costs a lot less than a replacement bit would cost for my tap/die set. Oatey lists the metals that 30203 is good for; if you work with aluminum you may want to look at a different product. Oatey makes a lighter oil for that, and for using hand tools. However, I wanted to see, for my own work, if I can get by with just one type of oil. YMMV, depending on your usage. For me, this is a 'set it and forget it' product; after testing out in my basement shop I don't think I'll bother to stock any other cutting oils. I just don't do enough of that type of work to justify multiple oils - but I sure don't want to go back to "whatever is on hand", either. The Oatey Dark cutting oil will, I think, work well for me in any of the usual binds I find myself in. The Oatey 30203 Dark Cutting Oil is made in the U.S. and offers the 90-day return warranty from Home Depot and a 1-year limited warranty from Oatey. HTH Regards, Jim

Good product. Does the job.

I was told that the oil would help me cut stainless steel. It didn't. Bought a set of titanium drill bits and they did the trick.

This delivery was a life changing experience. I ordered it and it came to my home. That’s it, but since we have to fill out a customer satisfaction questionnaire on every single purchase we make these days I wanted the world to know that my experience was so fantastic that I may give bottles of thread cutting oil to all of my friends and family next year at Christmas. Not everyone can pick the correct item from a shelf, put it in a box and send it to the correct address so I salute the Home Depot team for the flawless execution. You are simply amazing.

I had never used this cutting oil in the past so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I personally am using it to cut through multiple 1/8” steel plates at one time. There’s a little smoke but it’s a night and day difference vs not using anything. Definitely takes the worry out of my drill bit fusing with the plates and snapping in half, like it did without any oil! The bit was totally fine after pretty consistent drilling for 2 hrs.

Good cutting and threading lubricant at a fair price

I'm using this as a lubricant for drilling steel. This type would work better of it was thicker and didn't flatten out and run as much. Using WD40, though much thinner, actually worked better for me as I could easily do continuous spraying. I may also go back to Tapmagic but that is more expensive.

It's a great product used it to lubricate drill bits to drill through automotive exhaust bolts. Drill bits are still working great. Made light work of the job

I have found many stripped bolts on my vehicles that I have purchased. This cutter helps me out to re-tap and die, and install new bolts.

Works as intended. I poured a smaller quantity into a squeeze bottle for better control. Worked well. Would buy again.

It's cutting oil - it works as intended.

Great product and price

Extended the life of my drill.

Perfect for drilling through a cast iron plate. Should have used this product a long time ago.

I've never used cutting oil for drilling into metal, but then I've never drilled into an i-beam before. I believe that the oil did a great job lubricating and cooling the drill bit. Mission success.

Best for threading aluminum

Good quality cutting fluid

Used this product as a general cutting lubricant, worked well enough for drill bits.