Saving a few coins etc

[Killa Meter]

Hey guys I'm starting to try and save a few dollars by making things myself where I can , when time allows,such a using those old compressor wheels to make a trolley for the welder instead of buying one,etc.
Recycling what I have. Now today I have a clean plastic squirt tomato sauce bottle and lots of different oils and I need some cutting fluid for drilling which I don't have.What is in cutting fluid that makes it so expensive .Has anybody got a recipe for homemade cutting fluid and please feel free to add any other money saving ideas.

 

[cooliorz]

Good idea with the repurposing!
I've found that almost any oil is better than nothing when drilling ferrous metals (WD40, penetrating oil, whatever). Some oils might be a little messier than others. YMMV.

 

[Hantke]

Is WD 40 and option? i know you can buy a big container of it, and i've used when using a drill press, PB blaster works good, i think a bit better, but i don't know about buying in bulk. I'm no expert though, so there may be a better option.

 

[Jay Sco]

I've only needed cutting fluid once, in a pinch. I just used some ****** oil or engine oil, forgot which, been a while. Worked fine.

 

[jefferyb_2]

I haven't tried it, but I keep hearing that milk works pretty good as a lube when drilling. Has anyone heard this?

 

[Killa Meter]

I'm using wd 40 for drilling at the moment because it was sitting on the bench but it's not as smooth as the cutting oil I've used at work .I'm just about going to use automotive oil or a mix but I'd like to get a close homemade version of the real thing after I saw it was 17 dollars for a small bottle.

 

[FordsnFishin]

main thing about keeping bits good is keeping them cool. even if all you have is water its a big improvement.

 

[pete379]

I haven't tried it, but I keep hearing that milk works pretty good as a lube when drilling. Has anyone heard this?

in high school metal shop, we mixed soluble oil and water for coolant-- it turns white -- shop teacher called it "milk"

pete

 

[Wingnut65]

I've just grabbed some 3-in-1 oil because it was near the drill press. It worked.

I've never used cutting fluid to be able to compare them

 

[Steevo]

I haven't tried it, but I keep hearing that milk works pretty good as a lube when drilling. Has anyone heard this?

I have a book, called "The Machinists Bedside Reader", and there is a mention in there of using milk for a lube when tapping threads in copper.

 

[PFSard]

Killa Meter

This is probably not exactly what you are seeking, but it may give you some ideas. And I find the site informative.

Cutting Fluid Types and Uses
http://its.fvtc.edu/machshop1/coolant/cutfluids.htm

HTH
Paul

 

[Cannonball]

I have used WD-40 before to drill stainless bolts on my truck exhaust, as thats all I had at home.
Made it through three bolts with the same pilot and drill bit with no issue.
Used a fair amount to keep things cool and it worked well.

 

[Onefastgsx]

If im out of real cutting fluid, ill grab whatevers closest. WD40 smokes more than others. 3-in-1 works pretty well. I also find marvel mystery air tool oil to do a pretty good job at keepin it cool.

 

[Killa Meter]

Thanks guys , I read that site Paul and I think I need high Sulphur in an oil based fluid. I just happen to have some gearbox oil for a seagull outboard if I remember correctly has a high Sulphur content. Now maybe mix that with some atf that i have to thin it out a bit , and my cost is zero.

 

[GTO]

I just buy the dedicated cutting oil.
Do a search on ebay or Amazon,it's pretty cheap.

 

[McFarmer]

If you are in an agricultural area, most tractors get their hydraulic oil changed frequently. That oil is pretty clean, certainly not discolored. I think small shops or individuals would let you have a couple gallons. I use it for nearly all lubrication needs, and mixed with diesel fluid it makes a decent penetrating oil.

Tractors will take 10-20 gallons or more.

 

[Kevin54]

I use either 30w oil, or I'll use 3in1 oil, or I'll use a mixture of both. At work we used WayLube 99% of the time.

If I'm tapping a hole that I want to keep the shavings from dropping down in, I'll use a heavy grease.

A lot of the old time ways were kerosene and lard

I scanned this from the Pocket Reference Book, but not all shows up because I can't bend the page back that far. Cincinnati Milacron put it out.

The last column says LATHE

Everything is soluble oil except Cast Iron and Malleable Iron. Cast Iron is dry or Soluble Oil, and Malleable Iron is Soluble Oil or Soda Water.

 

[41ratrod]

Spit on it or on something and dip your bit or tap in it it works great.
I've been doing this for years.

 

[madjack]

I keep a tin with lard and an acid brush on the mill table and at the drill press station. Nothing better for tapping a hole.

 

[rockinacummins]

I've used water/antifreeze, penetrating oil, and used engine oil. Any and all of them worked fine for my application

 

[Alienbaby17]

I have some old but un-opened bottles of oil that I was given after someone cleaned out their garage. Even though it had never been opened I wasn't about to put it in my car engine because it was probably 20 plus years old. I use a bottle of that for my cutting oil. It seemed better than just bringing it to the recycling center and it was free.

 

[Racecarl]

I have used anti-freeze for drilling holes and it worked well. I usually use wal-mart cheap 30wt for tapping holes, and for cutting on the lathe. I would like to try some actual cutting oil just to see if it does a better job.