What is the safest drilling fluid to be used around welding

[OutbackL130]

I use RE-LI-ON Cutting Fluid for drilling steel tubing on my drill press. I then weld the tubing into assemblies. There is always some fluid deep inside the tubing that is impossible to remove. Therefore the drilling fluid is burned off during welding.

The smell produced from this fluid burning during welding is extremely pungent and irritating to the nose. Ever since I started using this drilling fluid I have wondered if it is safe in a welding shop. I read the bottle 100 They claim it is non-hazardous, contains no VOC's and no tetrachloroethylene. Every welder knows to avoid tetrachlorethylene because it decomposes into phosgene gas during welding and will kill you.

RE-LI-ON Cutting and Tapping Fluid. Remi Corporation's fluid for machining, tapping, grinding, sawing, milling and as a drawing compound.


So what is safe to use for drilling? I've tried dish soap but it also makes a hazardous smell when burning. Is there any safe drilling fluid that wont kill the welder?

I HATE using chemicals period. I always try to use nothing whenever possible. For any drill bit under 3/8" I always drill dry. There is no noticeable decrease in drill bit life for drilling dry with the smaller bits. However, I build receiver hitches that have 5/8" holes through 3/16" steel and drilling fluid is a must. These are the only parts I use drilling fluid.

 

[OutbackL130]

How would vegetable oil work?

 

[JoeL4330]

There are water soluble cutting/cooling aids such as pictured, as well as solids and "eco" friendly aids ... Buy CE-16 AGS Metalworking Fluids & Coolants from UseEnco

and, of course, if you like the smell of french fries, there's always lard or equivalent

 

[OutbackL130]

View attachment 361736There are water soluble cutting/cooling aids such as pictured, as well as solids and "eco" friendly aids ... Buy CE-16 AGS Metalworking Fluids & Coolants from UseEnco

and, of course, if you like the smell of french fries, there's always lard or equivalent

I cant really tell what is in tri cool from the msds.

 

[CNC Dan]

some use cooking spray, such as Pam.

 

[Bigkrank]

You can always use lard.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Bacon and hamburger grease. I always keep a can handy, and it works pretty good! I fill an old soup can with it in the kitchen, then when full it goes into the garage.

 

[k0ua]

I have been using paraffin (candle wax) for lube in drilling and band-sawing. it seems to work OK, is cheap and not particularly dangerous when you weld over the residue.

 

[Reverser]

James, what is your technique in using paraffin since it's a solid (but readily melts with heat)?
Do you wait till the bit/blade/piece warms up a little and then touch the candle to it?
I know it's one of the best ways to penetrate and loosen a rusted nut, with heat of course.

 

[k0ua]

James, what is your technique in using paraffin since it's a solid (but readily melts with heat)?
Do you wait till the bit/blade/piece warms up a little and then touch the candle to it?
I know it's one of the best ways to penetrate and loosen a rusted nut, with heat of course.

That is exactly right. on a drilling operation.. just drill for a second dry.. then lift the bit, and run it against the paraffin then back into the work, then repeat every once in a while. the paraffin will melt almost instantly. For band-sawing, I just run an old taper candle against the blade, and the teeth will snag out little bits of it. Seems to work.