Machine tool coolant

[2007markb]

Does anyone use coolant in a lathe, mill, saw, etc? Were having a hard time keeping the coolant condition up to par. Any suggestions?

 

[TimDaToolMan]

What do you mean "up to par"?

 

[cvcman]

Is it a water soulable ?? You need to keep the refractive index at the proper reading...Is it stinking ??

 

[2007markb]

As soon as the coolant (water soluble) is mixed 10:1 per mfgs suggestions, it closely resembles milk. Within a day or two, it becomes a light yellow color. At first, i thought i was having a hydraulic leak somewhere on my machine, but then it started doing the same in other machines. Its old iron, but the chances of all of them having hyd leaks at the same time seems unlikely. The last batch we put in our new marvel saw started doing the same thing. I use a refractometer to get the proper mixture. The last 55gal barrel was some off-brand that purchasing thought was "cheaper", so i re-oredered the mobilcut that i have always used and thats in the new saw. It doesnt stink per se, but its not the nicest thing in the world either. I also use a biocide to cut down on any bacteria growing and im also throwing deodorant tablets in to minimize any smell that does occur. Should i look into a wheel skimmer? I have always wondered about the tramp oils, but it seems like this has just began within the last two months. Any help is appreciated

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

What do you mean "up to par"?

sit down, read and learn something.

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

Mark, it could be a number of things. Next time you change your coolant wash everything. all the tanks and put a bucket on the lines and run them until clean coolant comes out.
The coolant has to be mixed really good before you dump it on the tank.
Don't let the coolant sit too long. On our problem machines, we run it everyday right before lunch and let the coolant run for a half hour.
If you have an oil leak it will kill it no matter what.
and from personal experience, all skimmers are a gimmick.


This is the brand we use and the coolant/water mixer:

Refractometer: Checks mixture
Description from McMasterCarr

Use two or three drops of your sample to measure concentrations in water-based solutions. All come in a plastic case.

 

[2007markb]

I dont have anything quite that fancy to mix........now im really jealous. Pretty much turn on faucet near equipment and start filling, and coolant, run, check and adjust. I do have the same refractometer as above. Ill try your ideas and hopefully it will work. Thanks for the input!

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

The mixer is a gimmick too (in my opinion of course).
What I do is put high concentrated coolant on a 5 gallon bucket, about %5-10 of the bucket, then get the water hose and pinch the end when filling the bucket. The pressure will mix it really good.

When re-filling the coolant tank, (adding coolant as opposed to filling the whole tank after cleaning), put more water in the mixture. Water evaporates faster and what ever is in the tank probably has more coolant.
The refractometer, is around %100 on McMastercarr. Kind of useful but I don't use it. You kind of get a feel for it after a while.

 

[2007markb]

Thanks for the info, cleaned the lathe out today and ill be refilling it tomorrow

 

[Matt018]

we use hangsterfers green coolant at work. its last pretty well untill it gets pretty old. we put any old coolant in the saw. and fresh in the lathes and mills.

 

[2007markb]

I filled the lathe back up today, everything is a nice white color, so ill see how long it lasts. Ive never heard of hangsterfers, ill do some research and see if it will work for me.