WOW!  A bombshell of a chart arrived in our email from Blaser Swisslube in response to our month long reporting on Selection and Application of Metalworking Fluids.  After dishing them for failing to provide a useful product comparison chart, they simply whipped one out for us and said “Here you go.”  More than that, in comparison to everything we have seen in a month of reviewing websites, we consider this chart to be the best of the best.

Remember – the “best” is a small percentage of websites from several suppliers we have reviewed.  We had been informed during our tour of the Blaser Swisslube facility that they maintained detailed charts and other technical data that was not for publication.  The attached documents are part of a group of technical documents developed and maintained for use by their technicians to devise individual recommendations for customers.  In other words – this is not the only tool they have, but it sure is a fantastic summary of the product line.   It includes a very specific series of recommendation levels by application.  Exactly what we wanted.  This is part of a two page brochure that also has a sweet one page view and summary of all of the products with excellent detail and instructions, good uniformity, and modest redundancy only in the last paragraph of each product summary.  This brochure would have achieved the highest ranking of all if we could have found it on their website in a couple of clicks.  So – if you want to know what an experienced End User wants to see - read this.   If you are a Blaser Swisslube user, or you are thinking about using Blaser Swisslube products, skip the website - Use this Chart and Product Description.

Thanks to Blaser Swisslube for sharing this with us and agreeing to let us publish it.  Even with all of this, you should always call the manufacturer and have them visit your shop.  Place responsibility for the final recommendation on them.  Your primary job is to select the supplier and his product line.  Their job as a supplier includes the providing the necessary service to assist you in selecting the best fluid from that product line.  These are very different responsibilities.  They are trained and do this for a living and you probably have other responsibilities.  However, with this level of data in your hands, you can engage in an informed and meaningful conversation with that representative and get his "help" - rather than deferring the decision to him because you honestly don't know enough about the products.  At the end of the day, the responsibility for this critical decision is still yours.  With this level of data, you can generate your decision with confidence.  Without it – you are riding in the back of a Taxi in a strange city with no smart phone and no address for the hotel you hope the driver is taking you to.  Take the map and drive yourself.