Thread: Coolant alternative

An old guy that I see now and again, was telling me yesterday, he got sick of paying for coolant. He said everytime he has bought a 5 L bottle in the last couple of years the price goes up $20 each time.
Lately he has been using cheap hair conditioner, mixed ( 20 to 1) with water.
He reckons he is happy with the results so far.

His theory is the conditioner has coconut oils etc to give a bit of lubrication, the water does the cooling.

I didnt ask him if his machines were rusting any worse since he has been using it, next time I see him I'll ask.

Must be one of those new all in one conditioners, Human Hair, Dogs, cats ,Lathe, Mill, etc, LOL
Seriously though
I wouldn't use it, though I am not saying it doesn't work for him, but find it interesting he even tried it.
I will stick to the recommended coolant, as even it has it's problems.

Buying by the 5ltr is the expensive way to buy coolant, your much better off buying the 20ltr.

Dave

Originally Posted by Dave J

I wouldn't use it, though I am not saying it doesn't work for him, but find it interesting he even tried it.
Dave

Well he is a Scotsman, and you know what they say about a Scotsman and his money .

I dont like the sound of spraying it over my lathe, so I think I'll give it a miss also.
But he is quite adament that it works.

I think the last 5 litres I bought cost $20, so double that $40(even H&F ony charge $49.50 so unless he used to get it for $10 he maybe rounding up a little). Thats $8 a litre. Assuming he is getting the same dilution ratio. I guess his not use TRESemme. lol
You can just use soap and water, thats where the name "suds" comes from they tell me. I think he might need to shop around for his coolant.
Still, if you didnt need much and had nothing else around it might be better than nothing.

Stuart

He said he was getting it from the Castrol distributor. He said he went in there about a month ago to get 5 L and they wanted $80, up from $60 the last time, and up from $40 the time before that, so he walked out without it.

I got the long story of it all from him, because I asked where he was buying his coolant from.
I will do some checking at some other local bussiness's and see if I cant do better.
Might be able to get 20L cheaper, and maybe go halves with him.

I dont blame him! $80, I'd be buying conditioner as well. Surely someone has looked up the wrong price? Maybe some of that new fangled clear stuff like Ray uses.

Stuart

I wouldn't doubt it, I was ringing around the other day about way oil and I can get Vactra 2 and 4 way oil for $109 inc and others where close. I then range Fuchs and they gave me a price of $240 ex gst

Hare & Forbes have coolant in 5ltr for $50 and 20ltr for $165.

Dave

I pay $30.00 including for my solubal oil in 5lt jugs from my local AIS bearing supplies(BJ Bearings) in Bairnsdale. But there are AIS distributors Australia wide..
What I can tell you for sure is I would NOT be sraying conditioner on my lathe or mills......NO WAY IN HELL......I believe it would cause lots of rust..

Originally Posted by matthew_g

What I can tell you for sure is I would NOT be sraying conditioner on my lathe or mills......NO WAY IN HELL......I believe it would cause lots of rust..

But, just think of the silky smooth cuts you would get....

Regards
Ray

I can just see it now.............................
The head on my mill doing the "PANTINE" flick and wave...

Originally Posted by matthew_g

i can just see it now.............................
The head on my mill doing the "pantine" flick and wave...

lol

Edit
I don't think I would bother if thats what it does, it would mean tramming the head in all the time.