Cutting Fluid/Coolant

[Spudland_Dave]

What do you guys use for cutting fluid/coolant when using stuff like holesaws, large drill bits, annular cutters, etc...?

I've been using Dish Soap & Water, which works EXCEPTIONALLY well.. Using it I can keep holesaws sharp forever even after drilling hole after hole in 1/2" thick steel.... The cost is great too :laughing:
BUT, the biggest problem is rush...if I dont spend 1/2 the night wiping everything down with WD40 after I'm done I'll end up with rusty tables, tools, etc..

Been thinking it might be worth it to get a gallon of professional quality coolant and not worry about rust anymore....when I started researching I quickly found out theres more selection of coolants then there are beers in some gas stations...

 

[jayste]

I'm still using a left over container of Tap Magic that I've had for years. When this runs out then I'll look for some good old cutting oil. There's all kinds of water mixable fluids out there. I'd try and find one that works for all applications.

 

[kennyd]

I use Ridgid Dark Thread cutting oil on steel whether I am drilling or milling. Home Depot has it reasonably priced in quarts in the plumbing isle. I use WD40 or K1 for aluminum.

I also have a few of these around: Enco - Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Machinery, Tools and Shop Supplies They are VERY handy.

 

[lostcause]

Been thinking it might be worth it to get a gallon of professional quality coolant and not worry about rust anymore....when I started researching I quickly found out theres more selection of coolants then there are beers in some gas stations...

skip the fancy cutting fluids & buy the beer. the decision making will be easier

 

[wdchyd]

Spudland,

We use machine tool coolants in our CNC lathe, engine lathes & milling machine, band saw where coolant tanks in the machine are used,the coolant mixture is typicaly 5-10 % water soluable oil & the rest water....the only reason for the oil is to keep machines from rusting like yours. basicly the machines would run full speed with plain water but....problem is the coolant mixture if not used enough becomes rancid after 6 months or so ...therefore expensive to replace if not kept up(we use small air bubbler i tank 24/7 to keep solution moving to prevent spoilage)...

If we drill on drill press or outside on a truck or something we use a garden hose with straight water for cooling (thus no mess to clean up)

another problem with coolant mixtures is you have to keep checking the oil/water ratio with a tool to keep from staining your machine

I think your dishsoap & water is a great idea if no built-in coolant tank...much cleaner:thumbsup:

Bill

 

[wldrbob]

i use non flamable breakkleen it works great and no rust or oil all over. i would have never believed it untill i tryed it.

 

[1962]

I like cool mist concentrate. It's inexpensive, synthetic, and mixes with plain water. Never had it go rancid from sitting like some coolants do. Put it in an empty dishsoap bottle for application using the drill press.

 

[Toyboy]

Cat did away with water soluble oil back in the late 60's. It was fine when fresh but when it went bad...it was bad. Synthetic cutting fluids are the only way to go if your running a shop. Houghton and Castrol all make quality fluids that are formulated to the material being cut. What I mean is, you can't use fluid formulated for cast iron or steel to cut aluminum an a production basis. Just won't work. Tool life suffers big time, and time is money.

 

[CURIOUSGEORGE]

I've been using basic windshield washer fluid.
I don't get rusting & don't have the Oil film to cleanup when I'm done.

 

[archerm3]

how about used antifreeze from your last coolant replacement in your vehicle? I've never tried it but it seemed like a good way to reuse/recycle.