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CORNER

EXPERT’S
EXPLORING THE

QUESTION OF OIL LIFE

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by Pat O’Brien and Ryan Hamilton

It is likely that if you ask 10 EDM experts how
long EDM oil lasts, you will get 10 different
answers. Recently, the question of oil life has
been a hot topic. CLC Lubricants would like to
address this question. We will hopefully dispel
some rumors and bring some clarity to a
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somewhat complex question.

The short answer to EDM oil life is “it depends.”
By understanding the many factors that go into
establishing oil life, you can decide what the
right answer is for you.
CLC Lubricants– Geneva, Illinois – Circa 1977

In considering CLC’s perspective, it may help to understand their background and professional credentials. CLC was
founded in 1976 by Joseph (Joe) O’Brien specifi cally to produce EDM oil. In the early 70s, Joe worked for a major
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lubricant manufacturer in Chicago. He saw that Sinker EDM was quickly being adopted as a metal cutting technology
throughout many industries. At that time, many companies had used K1 grade kerosene as an EDM dielectric. Joe
believed that there was an emerging market for a dielectric fl uid that was superior to K1, and offered benefi ts of
reduced fl ammability, reduced odor/less evaporation, and less impact to human skin.

Joe made a pitch to management
that they should develop a dedicat-
ed EDM dielectric. Unfortunately for
them, they did not see the EDM market
as being substantial enough to justify
the required R&D effort. Undaunted,
Joe left the company and started
Chemical Lubricants Corporation,
later shortened to CLC.
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The fi rst product that CLC produced
was EDM 13. This product proved to
be a great alternative to K1. It provided
good fl ushing and countered all of the
undesirable characteristics of K1.
Over the years, CLC continued to
develop and improve EDM dielectric
fl uids. Today, there are four primary
products that range from high quality
mineral oils, to high end synthetic
oils. Joe O’Brien ran CLC into the early
2000s, at which time he passed the
torch to his son Pat, who currently
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Pat O’Brien
serves as President of CLC.
President, CLC Lubricants
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