Cutting Oil

[ShuhornGarage]

Having a non-heated garage, I'm wondering if anyone has added anti-freeze to their cutting oil? Pros/cons appreacited
Thanks

 

[ShuhornGarage]

Plan to use soluable cutting oil re the post about adding anti-freeze
Thanks

 

[Uncle murph]

Having a non-heated garage, I'm wondering if anyone has added anti-freeze to their cutting oil? Pros/cons appreacited
Thanks

Cutting fluid with antifreeze in it is reduced in value as cutting fluid and you definitely can’t put it in your radiator.

 

[nadogail]

I don't have a problem with freezing, but I use a petroleum based cutting oil in my shop for all drilling and threading operations.

 

[metlmunchr]

Better to put a cheap tarp oner any machine with a coolant tank and put a light bulb under it. Things on machines are much more likely to break when operated at low temperatures.

 

[rustyzman]

Never added anti-freeze, not sure how that would work out. I would think the cutting characteristics would be affected and the atomized antifreeze from cutting would be pretty messy and nasty to breathe.

If we are talking about a CNC machine, given the choice I would consider a straight cutting oil instead. I really like Motorex NF-X10, it is the oil I prefer in the machines to use at work when possible. Light viscosity, very high performance oil. Cost is a real consideration on that type of oil because it is quite expensive, but freezing is no issue and the useable lifespan is quite long.

No heat is a tough one if it is a CNC machine. Machines like stable temperatures and depending on the type of machine and way lube system, (oil vs grease, like a HAAS, etc.) things get really thick and stiff in the cold. Manual machines take it OK, but CNC not so much.

If we are talking just drilling and tapping stuff around the shop, then a rich mixture of soluble oil will probably not freeze easily.

Spray mist (Cool Mist) will be a block of ice below freezing, mine is.

Just some thoughts.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I use it straight from the bottle no matter the temperature and im here in Michigan

 

[Stedlin]

Why not put a sample of your cutting fluid in the freezer to determine what temperature it can handle?

 

[dutchgray]

Antifreeze added to cutting oil is not something you should do, it is toxic and will get into the air when using the machine and you will breathe it in.
In some 3rd world places they do actually use antifreeze and water as a machine coolant (no soluble oil added) as it will prevent rust but they also don't care about workers health.

Either add a small heater or an incandescent bulb under machines with coolant or switch to an oil based coolant.