Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Coolant control.

"Fitch R. Williams" wrote:

> On Mon, 11 Jun 2001 03:10:22 +0000, Jon Elson <elson@...>
> wrote:
>
> >The problem with this is it becomes hard to keep coolant (and chips) out of the
> >works, especially the ways and screws.
>
> Well, this could be another whole kettle of fish, but I'm not using
> water based coolant. The stuff drives me nuts. Instead I use 19.95
> universal hydraulic fluid cut with mineral spirits enough to make it
> flow more easily. More oil, less spirits in summer. It isn't as good
> as the water based stuff, but it sure won't rust or corrode the
> machine.
>
> I use pure cutting oil on the lathe - but just for threading,
> knurling, parting, and drilling. Turning is done dry 99% of the time.

Well, I find that water-based coolants work best in removing heat from the
work. With the right 'HP' additives, it does prolong cutter life. The stuff I'm
using now does not cause corrosion. And, at the dilution I'm using it at, it
will take me a LONG time to use up my first gallon of concentrate.

When I clean up finished parts, I shake them over the coolant recovery
bucket, and then wipe them with kitchen paper towels. The chips go into
a funnel with a kitchen paper towel as a filter, and the coolant drips out to
the bucket. Byt the next morning (or a couple hours after cleanup), I can dump
the bucket back into the sump, and the chips are dry enough to put in the
recycling can. I suspect cleanup is more of a problem with the oil you
are using. I just scape up all the chips into the coolant recovery thing, and
then wipe the machine with a paper towel. (I usually spray with LPS-1
to make sure nothing rusts, too.)

Jon