Band saw cutting fluid recomendations???

[bx24]

I am upgrading from a 5x6 horizontal band saw (no coolant pump) to a 7x12 with a coolant pump.

Can anyone share their opinion of what is a good cooling fluid to use as well as a source for where to buy it (also in what quantity .... should 1 gallon be enough?)

 

[Renze]

I have a 7x12" also. I just had to install my own coolant pump and reservoir because they were missing... I just picked the cheapest, smalles water pond jet i could find and it works great.

Just dont add engine oil to it as it makes skins like cooked milk, which plug up the jet pump and kill it...

I use a standard cutting oil from the industrial grocery, since the skin incident i use it pure. I just have to add water every month or so, to make up for the evaporation.

 

[sandman2234]

Be careful which ones you pick, as some get to smelling sour after they have been around a while. Depending on what your cutting and how fast, you might be able to run dry. I have never been a fan of a blade coolant system, simply due to the mess they make as the coolant runs down the piece of metal and drips on the floor. Special considerations can stop it, but you might as well figure it is going to happen. Just how much you need to start and how much you will loose during cutting depends on your system and how much drips on the floor. Have you considered a mister?
David from jax

 

[bx24]

I have not thought about a mister.

Am I correct in assuming there are two schools of thought here:

1- Oil based (like or the same as pipe thread cutting fluid)

2- Water based (the "milk" used in larger machinery milling operations etc)

I guess I just assumed that this type of band saw was made to use the milk .... that is the first I have heard of it getting "sour"

 

[digger2]

I know where i work they use the water base stuff,and when it gets old,it does stink.Its not the kind of smell you want to be around all day.
If somebody did'nt know any better they would think you just finished your shift working "sewer repair".
digger2

 

[yomax4]

Greetings.. The Lenox Saw co. Makes a product called an Atomizer. It sprays coolant or cutting fluid so fine that you can not see it. Costs a lot but lasts a long time.

MM.

 

[GuglioLS]

BX24 -

Try the Syn-Kool from Enco it's water based - will not get rancid so it never stinks. I've been using it for over a year now and have only had to top it off every now and then. The longer life you get from the blade is well worth what little mess it makes. Just set the coolant flow valve to a slow rate so the mess is less and loss of coolant is small. Mine never goes on the floor.

Which saw did you get?

Here are some action shots of my 7X12 saw using the Syn-Kool coolant, notice the coolant is not going on the floor? The steel is 12" wide (max cut) X 3/4" thick.





CLICK HERE -> Syn Kool



Larry

 

[DieselPower]

Not all water soluble cutting fluids are the same. Some will have bacterial growth and stink to high heaven and the better formulated oils will have a good anti-bacterial additive package that will prevent it. One of the major advantages of water soluble cutting fluids is that they cool much better than oil only fluids. The heat is wicked away in the water soluble fluids in the form of steam, the evaporation of water. Tends to improve blade and cutter life because the cutting edge does not run as hot. What fluid to use, I'm partial to TRI-X-100 from TRC. Might have something to do with being a lube consultant for them though. Use it on my lathe, mill, saw and shaper and works great.

 

[Renze]

I said since the "milk skin" incident i use the cutting oil pure:
That means i use cutting oil with water, ant NOT mixed with old engine oil.

 

[sandman2234]

Hey Larry,
What happens when you cut a long rod in half? Does the fluid travel down the rod and drip on the floor then? When cutting something shorter than the drip pan, it isn't hard to keep the fluid in the pan.
David from jax