Bandsaw coolant pump

[Kaizen]

Getting parts to fix up my horizontal bandsaw. It has a coolant reservoir but pump it came with is rusted out. Can I just get a fountain pump to replace it? Existing one does not appear to have any filter on it. If not anyone have a place to get one on the cheap? Not sure if they have some specific features


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[matt_i]

Are we talking aqueous coolant or cutting oil

If aqueous you could probably go with a little giant, there are some offerings on amazon. But then issues with stinky bacteria, not letting it freeze or the mix get too dry in the summer. Have to keep concentrations so that the rest of the saw doesn't rust.

If oil based I'd go with a peristaltic pump but you'll probably have to change the tubing to one compatible with oil. McMaster Carr used to have them which seem aligned for chemical and or pool service but they did also have a tubing which could handle the flex and was oil resistant like nitrile rubber. This will throw slippery oil all over the place while solving the issues of water-based.

My usual advice is to cut dry, belt yourself towards 100sfm and keep feeds reasonable. In a shop where you aren't cutting constantly, a thin edge with <3 teeth engaged in the work wrecks blades 10x faster than you can wear them out from lack of lubricant. My first horizontal saw cut almost 10 years, totally dry, before I changed the blade.

A high end pump would be a Graymills but prepare thy wallet!!!

 

[Kaizen]

Are we talking aqueous coolant or cutting oil

If aqueous you could probably go with a little giant, there are some offerings on amazon. But then issues with stinky bacteria, not letting it freeze or the mix get too dry in the summer. Have to keep concentrations so that the rest of the saw doesn't rust.

If oil based I'd go with a peristaltic pump but you'll probably have to change the tubing to one compatible with oil. McMaster Carr used to have them which seem aligned for chemical and or pool service but they did also have a tubing which could handle the flex and was oil resistant like nitrile rubber. This will throw slippery oil all over the place while solving the issues of water-based.

My usual advice is to cut dry, belt yourself towards 100sfm and keep feeds reasonable. In a shop where you aren't cutting constantly, a thin edge with <3 teeth engaged in the work wrecks blades 10x faster than you can wear them out from lack of lubricant. My first horizontal saw cut almost 10 years, totally dry, before I changed the blade.

A high end pump would be a Graymills but prepare thy wallet!!!

Thanks. I am going water based due to the oil mess. The blade vendor recommended wet cut which is why I went this route. This is the stuff I got. I tend to do batches of cutting so will probably have to refill when I start.
This is the broken fitting that I have to replace. Nice the saw has a dedicated plug for a pump.




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[lis2323]

I ditched the coolant system on my import bandsaw and switched to using a lube stick



I added a solenoid and use compressed air on my Ellis to clear chips and cool the blade.



I hate coolant. Makes such a mess.

 

[Kaizen]

I ditched the coolant system on my import bandsaw and switched to using a lube stick



I added a solenoid and use compressed air on my Ellis to clear chips and cool the blade.



I hate coolant. Makes such a mess.

What is this witchcraft that you speak? So just compressed air does the same as coolant? How does the lube stick work? New at this and never heard these options


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[Merch1]

I found a 120 Volt aquarium pump works fine.

 

[lis2323]

What is this witchcraft that you speak? So just compressed air does the same as coolant? How does the lube stick work? New at this and never heard these options


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On an Ellis you can’t use coolant or a lube stick because the wheels have vulcanized rubber on them. Similar to woodworking bandsaw wheels with rubber tires.



The lube stick works awesome for “normal” bandsaws with steel wheels Walter makes a good one.

 

[lis2323]

A few more pics of my homemade air cooling showing the solenoid which is tied into the saws ON/OFF

 

[Jazz1]

I hate coolant. Makes such a mess.[/QUOTE]

The lube stick is interesting. I don't use any lubricant. Never considered anything and I frequently cutting plate steel.
My blades are custom cut at local saw shop, he buys the blade by the roll. Metal cutting bandsaw a must for any shop IMO

 

[Kaizen]

On an Ellis you can’t use coolant or a lube stick because the wheels have vulcanized rubber on them. Similar to woodworking bandsaw wheels with rubber tires.



The lube stick works awesome for “normal” bandsaws with steel wheels Walter makes a good one.

I will check it out. What psi do you have the blow nozzle at?


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[lis2323]

I will check it out. What psi do you have the blow nozzle at?


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Line pressure is always 90 PSI minimum. I have a valve to regulate flow volume plus I had to enlarge the homemade nozzle a few times to get the desired effect. ( clearing swarf from blade in addition to cooling.)

If you go this route you may as well run a tee and plumb in a coiled hose with blow gun for clean ups.