Thread: Coolant for alumininium

Evening all,
The post below re the coolant got me thinking about something I learned before the kids knocked off for holidays.

We built a radius tool from some donated 20mm plate scrap.

Naturally the student who had the most to do with it wanted to try it out.

No problems until he tried it on some 20mm ally round bar.
EEyuk the ali stuck to the tool which in caused it to gouge the remainder.

As Sir is supposed to have the answer for every problem I checked to spindle speed which it turns out was too low.We ran the spindle up to2000 rpm The finish was just,so, so using standard coolant.

I then remembered an old fitter had mentioned that methylated was a great coolant for ali. I had some methylated spirits which I put into a squirty bottle.

The finish of the tool was amazing. You could get a reflection off it but it was by no means polished. I was happy and kids were impressed.

I think it worked by rapidly removing the heat.Ihopeit works for you

Grahame

Kerosene is considered the all round coolant for aluminium. If I have a need for ali coolant I will try both and compare. Lucky I don't smoke LOL.

Dean

WD40 also works well, smokes a little though.

thanks for the post Graham. im going to give metho a try

Grahame
Thank you for the hint on Metho for machining Aluminium.
I just evaluated it on the Lathe, in turning a piece of 1" Dia bar with amazing results.
The test included.........
Dry..... Dull finish
WD40..... A little brighter than dull.
Methylated Spirits.....A bright reflective finish, like nothing achieved previously
Very interesting, I do not know why the Metho works so well, perhaps as you say its about heat transfer.
regards
Bruce

All I new was tapping threads in aluminium metho was used. Didn't realise it could be used for cutting ali.

Mild steel, brass and others have there own prefered lubricant for tapping threads.

That was metalwork in High school back in the 70's.

Heres a pic of the of 20mm Ali rod.
That on my cheapy Canon camera.



2000 rpm

Using a 5/16 HSS tool on a Yoke type ball turner tool that the students made.I expect others will see a better finish as the clearances in the ball tool may be a bit loose.

metho delivered from a squirty bottle.


Grahame

Human urine works well as well,and on brass too,just dont use over 100 rpm lol

I think you can buy the correct machining aluminium , 2011 is the best I believe. Not sure how the other grades will machine compared to 2011.



Mike .

If you cant buy it then how do you get it?

Originally Posted by pipeclay

If you cant buy it then how do you get it?

Huh

Exactly.

Originally Posted by pipeclay

If you cant buy it then how do you get it?

Hi PC,

Ah well, then, you need to look a bit harder, .. you can get 2011 from here...

Action Aluminium , rod stock from 6mm to 254mm..

Regards
Ray

Originally Posted by RayG

Hi PC,

Ah well, then, you need to look a bit harder, .. you can get 2011 from here...

Action Aluminium , rod stock from 6mm to 254mm..

Regards
Ray

That is where I buy it from Ray. They have a good selection of plate as well . They usually have some off cuts which is handy.

Mike

Originally Posted by RayG

Hi PC,

Ah well, then, you need to look a bit harder, .. you can get 2011 from here...

Action Aluminium , rod stock from 6mm to 254mm..

Regards
Ray

Think you might need a step ladder there Ray, that one went over your head