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.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

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.

I've read the Windshield wash thing on here before...didnt know about the rusting. Mebbe I'll try Windshield Wash + Dish Soap :confused2:...

 

[paulinkansas]

I've been using 90 wt gear oil. It's in one of those oilers you see from "The Wizard of Oz". None of the stuff I drill is super critical, plus I can use the oiler to lubricate other things.

Is there anything wrong with using 90wt gear oil for cutting?

 

[wldrbob]

be carefull with windshield washer fluid it does burn pretty good as do all antifreeze mixes the flash point is 240 deg. if you ever get bronze coloured chips whille drilling it means they are hotter than that, yellow 420 brown 500 purple 600 these are approximate temps .

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I've been using 90 wt gear oil. It's in one of those oilers you see from "The Wizard of Oz". None of the stuff I drill is super critical, plus I can use the oiler to lubricate other things.

Is there anything wrong with using 90wt gear oil for cutting?

My non-scientific observations.... Bits dont last as long when using oil...I used to use whatever oil "scraps" I had left over in the bottom of quarts, etc.. Oil would smoke, make a stink, and when cutting did nothing for heat...which is the #1 enemy of bits. Well I take that back....SWMBO yelling at me saying the whole house stank (my work/machine shop is in the basement) is the #1 enemy... :laughing:

When using my soap & water mix, I'm serious when I say after drilling a 3" hole in 3/8" plate, I could immedietly touch the holesaw and the teeth were room temp. Other then the paint being worn off the holesaw, you cant tell they're used.

 

[wdchyd]

My non-scientific observations.... Bits dont last as long when using oil...I used to use whatever oil "scraps" I had left over in the bottom of quarts, etc.. Oil would smoke, make a stink, and when cutting did nothing for heat...which is the #1 enemy of bits. Well I take that back....SWMBO yelling at me saying the whole house stank (my work/machine shop is in the basement) is the #1 enemy... :laughing:

When using my soap & water mix, I'm serious when I say after drilling a 3" hole in 3/8" plate, I could immedietly touch the holesaw and the teeth were room temp. Other then the paint being worn off the holesaw, you cant tell they're used.

that's because you are using the water for cooling....NOT lubrication....keeping cool=long tool life......I do the same after hogging out with hole saw...

I've cut deep holes with holesaws as long as you flood cool it and blow out chips

I use to use oil/brush on lathes and mills years ago....never again....flood cooling is the way to go, even if its from old dishsoap bottles or garden hose

keep cool,

Bill

 

[bindian]

I use Boelube. BOELUBE PRODUCTS from Aircraft Spruce
Boeing developed it when it started working with titanium.
hugs, Brandi

 

[travis potter]

I needed to drill a few holes one day and all I had was Simple Green in its spray bottle it worked better than the cutting fluid I had been using. My thought oil makes something slide it is not for cutting you don't wont the bit to slide just cut. I do a lot of taping in my work in the field small taps 6/32,10/24 and 10/32, 12/24 and some 1/4-20 for all of these I use Door Ease a stick lube sold only at NAPA auto parts I can tap 6/32 hole in thin metal with a drill motor I never use a hand tap. All of my taps are 2 flute gun or spiral point taps hard to find but will last a long time. I can't rember the last time I broke a tap but when your are older than dirt you can't rember a lot.

 

[Scotty370]

Can't beat this stuff! IMHO:Mistic Metal Mover

Mistic Metal Mover, Cutting Fluid & Penetrant, 16oz $/can

 

[Danno1]

.


For tapping aluminum (and drilling, milling, turning too) you can't beat A9. Especially for tapping.

Should be avail at McMaster-Carr. Also, two flute, four flute, spiral taps, etc.

.

 

[Rob-D]

Dave,
If you're using drills, hole saws, taps and bandsaws the best cutting material is the solid wax bars that stick to the cutters. Someone mentioned Tapmatic (LPS), this is good stuff and I've used it for years in my shop. Stick the drill in it and the wax melts down the drill as you cut keeping things lubed.
Fluids are fine for a lathe where you recoop the fluid but you get too much waste and not enough concentrated cutting fluid on the drills in portable use.

MSC Google Search Results

It's not especially cheap but it lasts. I even use it on aluminum.

Rob