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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
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    moonbi nsw Aus
    Age
    69
    Posts
    364

    Default To Connect OR Not Connect

    Some time back I made up the pipe work out of PVC to bring coolant to the business end of the lathe. As yet I haven't finished it off and use it when I am doing something on the lathe.

    This is probably a question that has been dealt with before, but I was wondering whether by introducing to the lathe soluble oil would I also be introducing rust to the structure of the lathe? At times (rarely) I use a detergent bottle with soluble oil just to cool a small area that is being cut with no rust visible days after the exercise
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Hi Rod
    I too, have the gear ready to fit to my lathe and have put it off for the same reason as you gave.

    I don't use the lathe regularly at the moment .

    Instead when I need some cutting lube it comes from a squirty bottle or I have a syringe body. I have epoxy glued a metal ink tube from a biro onto to the big bore syringe body
    and can accurately place the thicker goop precisely where it is needed.

    When I relocate the the lathe into my new shed I will rig up the pump and delivery head.

    Grahame

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Healesville
    Posts
    2,129

    Default

    G/day Chambezio, i think there are quite a few in here that wont use it, i have never had any rust caused by coolant. I use semi synthetic as I copped infections in fingers a couple of times using mineral based soluble oil, i rarely clean the lathe or mill before pulling the roller door down and have left machines like that for weeks on end at times, pretty slack eh !
    Never had rust from the coolant on anything, coolant is cheaper than carbide and you often can run higher surface speeds for a better finish and reduce machining time. Lubricity is not as good as oil but i have never noticed any wear on my machines.
    I have just got 10 ltrs of full synthetic soluble oil but are yet to try it, my BIL gave it to me to try, he doesn't like it because it foams up to much on his grinders.
    He has never had rust either.

    Cheers, shed

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Oz
    Age
    73
    Posts
    459

    Default

    Depends on the mix. I use water soluble coolant on my lathe and Bandsaw, have used it for years. If you mix too week a solution surfaces will rust. I use a slightly stronger mix and even though my lathe doesn't get a lot of use these days, I don't have a problem with rust.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
    Posts
    3,228

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Grahame Collins View Post
    I have epoxy glued a metal ink tube from a biro onto to the big bore syringe body and can accurately place the thicker goop precisely where it is needed.
    As soon as I get home I'm doing that!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    537

    Default

    Even if a coolant does not rust it can still stain the bed if left there . It's expensive and it goes off quickly and can become contaminated with bacteria . Only use it if you have to and after doing the job if not using teh lathe again for a while get it out of the lathe sump and put in a sealed container . Dry the bed well so no coolant is left sitting on the bed ways , saddle or chuck .
    The volume of a pizza of thickness 'a' and radius 'z' is given by pi z z a.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,444

    Default

    Hi Guys,

    I still got a part used gallon (5 Ltr) container of cutting oil from 30 + years ago. I just checked it and apart from the container shrunk in a little, it doesn't smell bad or seem to have gone off. I've mixed a table spoon full and put it in a plastic bottle, its gone white and milky just as expected. I noticed this morning that the mix in the bottle, the water is still milky but a layer of oil has separated on top. I've left a few drops on a surface to let it dry and see if it rusts and/or stains.

    I normally use WD40 and diesel as lubricants on both mill and lathe along with Trefolex and Rocol speedcut for threading and drilling.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Oz
    Age
    73
    Posts
    459

    Default

    I've been using water soluble coolant for years, I've never changed the coolant in either my bandsaw or lathe, just topped it up and never had a problem with either rust or smell. Wouldn't have a clue about bacteria, but I think there's probably more bacteria jn my dogs gob than in the coolant. The system I use on both lathe and bandsaw aren't fully sealed either as the drains on both swarf tray and bandsaw table lead to the reservoir.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    537

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BaronJ View Post
    Hi Guys,

    I still got a part used gallon (5 Ltr) container of cutting oil from 30 + years ago. I just checked it and apart from the container shrunk in a little, it doesn't smell bad or seem to have gone off. I've mixed a table spoon full and put it in a plastic bottle, its gone white and milky just as expected. I noticed this morning that the mix in the bottle, the water is still milky but a layer of oil has separated on top. I've left a few drops on a surface to let it dry and see if it rusts and/or stains.

    I normally use WD40 and diesel as lubricants on both mill and lathe along with Trefolex and Rocol speedcut for threading and drilling.
    That's not an issue new unmixed coolant concentrate will not go off that I have seen . It's when you mix it with water and then use it on the machine and it sits around in the sump that it eventually goes bad .
    The volume of a pizza of thickness 'a' and radius 'z' is given by pi z z a.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    537

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sacc51 View Post
    I've been using water soluble coolant for years, I've never changed the coolant in either my bandsaw or lathe, just topped it up and never had a problem with either rust or smell. Wouldn't have a clue about bacteria, but I think there's probably more bacteria jn my dogs gob than in the coolant. The system I use on both lathe and bandsaw aren't fully sealed either as the drains on both swarf tray and bandsaw table lead to the reservoir.
    It does go off eventually and in a machine shop situation it gets much more abuse but is used more regular . However it could have bacteria build up and you don't know it when you use it you can be at risk of an infection . Old machinists have bad lungs from dirty coolants . Some shops add chlorine into it to kill any bugs but that's just as bad in my book. Leaving it sit in an unsealed sump for long periods with oil floating on top is risky . When it's used often and pumped about oxygen penetrating the liquid helps to fight bugs .
    The volume of a pizza of thickness 'a' and radius 'z' is given by pi z z a.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    moonbi nsw Aus
    Age
    69
    Posts
    364

    Default

    Thanks for all the comments. Stains on the bed is really not a problem in my case the dear old lathe is well over a hundred years old and has taken a nearly black patina on most of it. I do have some white oil mixed up in a plastic 4ltr container, that I should have a look at to see if its gone off or not. I think I might only use it occasionally when doing some heavy cuts
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    537

    Default

    That Black patina as you say is a combination of converted fine rust and coolant staining over the whole thing . If the coolant is fairly clean when it's sealed up it should be ok. I filter mine back into a drum after use and seal it up . Lasts way longer than leaving in the open sump I find.
    The volume of a pizza of thickness 'a' and radius 'z' is given by pi z z a.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Far West Wimmera
    Age
    63
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    4,049

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    Wouldn't have a clue about bacteria, but I think there's probably more bacteria jn my dogs gob than in the coolant.
    Love this comment. ROFL

    I never worry about bacteria. Only people who worry about bacteria get sick or infected. You soon develop imununity.

    Dean

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    537

    Default

    I know an old machinist that has a lung contamination of some kind probably from contaminated coolants but he can't prove it of course .
    You don't develop any immunity to anything until you have been infected by the germs first and you have to then get better to develop an immunity , most do some don't ! Mist coolant sprays are the worst as it floats around . Some people think they are indestructible and can just ignore every safety guideline . It can't hurt to be cautious and keep your coolant healthy .
    Enclosed CNC machines now are much healthier to operate as they control the coolants better . Long term effects are not well known and they don't want to know them .
    The volume of a pizza of thickness 'a' and radius 'z' is given by pi z z a.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Far West Wimmera
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    63
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    Default

    There is a big difference between long term exposure to coolant mist etc, and a bacterial infection. The infection can be cured.

    Some people think they are indestructible and can just ignore every safety guideline
    And some people have a healthy positive attitude to infection and this positive attidude better enables them to fight said infection. I have had one real cold in about 15 years and I never take any precautions in relation to people in close proximity, but SWMBO can catch a cold from talking to someone on the phone. Attitude makes a big difference. Quite a while ago I ate some off pork. I eventually decided I did not like the taste and stopped. During the night I woke up and noticed a slight tummy ache, rolled over and went back to sleep. End of story. Cast iron gut. My brother is just the same.

    There are times when it is wise to be careful.

    Many years ago I did a lot of centreless grinding. This produces quite a bit of mist. The coolant was changed regularly, every year on the day we knocked off for the Xmas break. For a fair portion of the year you fired up the grinder, turned on the coolant and went somewhere else for a while until the stink settled down a bit.

    Dean

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