Cutting Fluid, recommendations?

[Dozzer]

Been doing a small amount of lathe work recently, including some interrupted cuts on aluminium.
Haven't got the coolant system rebuilt on the lathe, but want to use some in a spray bottle until its up and running,
Anyone got any recommendations for a good water based cutting fluid?

Was using WD40 on the aluminium, finish was OK, but still got a bit warm.

 

[julianf]

I think that the reason some are spec'ed for alloy is just because alloy can get eaten by stuff easily. If youre not bothered by this issue, just use whatever.

Ive used random water solvable oils on my cnc before, or whatever ive had to hand when ive had nothing solvable. From kerosene to WD though to engine oil (which is a load of bother to clean off the part, so i wouldnt recommend it!)

It largely depends on if youre trying to extend cutter life etc OR if youre trying to cool. Im generally just trying to do the former so, pretty much anything slippery does the job.

 

[Kram]

For alu I would recommend this stuff atleast for a finishing pass but its solvent based.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KAY9U2U

I was running out so just ordered another 6.

 

[dave h 2]

Try paraffin it may cool as well, £12 ish a gallon.

 

[m_c]

WD40 (or similar) is as good as anything for aluminium, as the key thing is to provide a layer that stops the aluminium galling and sticking to itself.

If the part is warming up, then that's more an issue of speeds/feeds/swarf clearance, as nearly all of the heat generated from cutting, should be in the cut chips.

 

[Dozzer]

WD40 (or similar) is as good as anything for aluminium, as the key thing is to provide a layer that stops the aluminium galling and sticking to itself.

If the part is warming up, then that's more an issue of speeds/feeds/swarf clearance, as nearly all of the heat generated from cutting, should be in the cut chips.

Was using a new CCMT for a face cut, only 270RPM, and as it was an interrupted cut, 1mm depth of cut. it was still holdable, but warm.
WD40 was working OK, and have used diesel for aly and cast before, but its a strong smell after a while, but old cutting fluid is not much better.

 

[Ross365]

Try paraffin it may cool as well, £12 ish a gallon.

If paraffin works, then I wonder if central heating fuel might do too. It's around about £2.50 a gallon, if you've got a mate who has oil fired heating. Both somewhat flammable.

 

[MattF]

If paraffin works, then I wonder if central heating fuel might do too. It's around about £2.50 a gallon, if you've got a mate who has oil fired heating. Both somewhat flammable.

Kerosene works fine too.

Judging from the above posts, it sounds like we're all as bad for the: "Chuff it, it's a liquid which isn't water. That'll do" approach.

 

[8ob]

Been doing a small amount of lathe work recently, including some interrupted cuts on aluminium.
Haven't got the coolant system rebuilt on the lathe, but want to use some in a spray bottle until its up and running,
Anyone got any recommendations for a good water based cutting fluid?

Was using WD40 on the aluminium, finish was OK, but still got a bit warm.

I made up a mobile suds pump for the mag drill/bandsaw. cheap as chips. Handy thing to have.

1/4" Single Hole Magnetic Base 16'' 400mm Length Valve Coolant Hose for Milling | eBay

Matched High Quality 15.75" 400mm Length Valve Coolant Hose x 1 Pc. 1/4" Single Hole High Magnetic Base x 1 Pc. This item kit include Item Arrived Ratio. United States.

www.ebay.co.uk

Mag base makes it double useful.

 

[Agroshield]

...it's a liquid which isn't water...

In the real old days, I think they used to use soda water (I guess washing soda).

Because of the specific heat capacity of water, it is a good coolant and the soda stops corrosion.

 

[RichardM]

Could be bicarbonate of soda as in the drinking soda water.
I used paraffin or WD40 and HSS. It will get warm.

 

[dave h 2]

If paraffin works, then I wonder if central heating fuel might do too. It's around about £2.50 a gallon, if you've got a mate who has oil fired heating. Both somewhat flammable.

That's basic diesel isn't it. Paraffin stops the Alu. chips welding to the cutter.

 

[julianf]

That's basic diesel isn't it. Paraffin stops the Alu. chips welding to the cutter.

"basic diesel" is a bit thicker. kerosene takes 28 seconds to go through a hole in a specified container, but diesel take 35 seconds.

hence kerosene is said to be "28 sec"

 

[Kram]

Diesel stinks, I wouldnt be using it indoors or in a workshop. Kerosene also stinks. Is it lamp oil that is more refined without the smell?

DP-60 works better. Contains Dimethyl ether which smells lovely.

Was using a new CCMT for a face cut, only 270RPM, and as it was an interrupted cut, 1mm depth of cut. it was still holdable, but warm.
WD40 was working OK, and have used diesel for aly and cast before, but its a strong smell after a while, but old cutting fluid is not much better.

What diameter? Alu likes a much faster speed if the part is not fragile and is balanced well enough in the chuck.

 

[Dozzer]

Diesel stinks, I wouldnt be using it indoors or in a workshop. Kerosene also stinks. Is it lamp oil that is more refined without the smell?

DP-60 works better. Contains Dimethyl ether which smells lovely.


What diameter? Alu likes a much faster speed if the part is not fragile and is balanced well enough in the chuck.

Hi Kram, it was a MacPherson suspension spacer, 180mm O/D 70mmI/D, but we wanted to make one face angled as it was twisting the damper., and as i dont have mill yet, set it up offset 5mm in jaws, so only one side of the face was cutting, and with mounting holes drilled in it, it was a very interrupted cut,