Thread: Coolant - yet again

Gday All.

Is anyone using Inox MX3 in their coolant system?
I've finally gotten around to trying to get my coolant systems on the lathe and mill operational again.
Up until 2009 I had been using a semi synthetic water soluble coolant. (I cant remember the name now though)
As I don't use the machines every day, evaporation of the water component has always been a problem (even pre 2009) plus the potential for rust to develop underneath saddles etc is always a concern. Not so much so with a machine in daily use.
So I have been thinking for some time (back as far as 2011) of converting to straight Inox MX3. I can buy a 20 L drum for $229 locally.
As I don't use my machines a real lot I'm thinking of using a single tank with pump that I can move between the mill and the lathe as required to reduce the amount of coolant required. (I couldn't afford to fill the mill tank with Inox. Rough calcs say its about 25-30 litre capacity at least. Even with just 50mm of depth its still about 15 litres).

I'm not interested in a mist system as that would mean I then have to put a compressor in the shed plus I have a few concerns about safety with the mist floating around. (with the amount of use I'll give it that's probably nothing to worry about though).

I pulled the DIY coolant system that my Dad built for this lathe apart yesterday. He's used a small gear pump driven by a small motor with the obligatory dodgy wiring on it. Up until I stopped using it in 2009 it had worked fine, however sitting since then without being drained didn't really help it. I've managed to free the pump up this morning so it could be re used. (there is a good reason gear pumps are not recommended for coolant pumps. lol)

So any thoughts?

peter

No idea about using it as coolant, but i noticed this on their website "Caution: INOX MX3 may effect some natural rubber products with continual long term use."
Might be detrimental to rubber way wipers/covers

Hi Guys,

Personally I'll stick to my squeeze bottles and brushes ! Like you, I don't use my machines on a daily basis.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

No idea about using it as coolant, but i noticed this on their website "Caution: INOX MX3 may effect some natural rubber products with continual long term use."
Might be detrimental to rubber way wipers/covers

I saw that as well but there's not that rubber much on my machines -That I know of anyway.
Apparently Lanotec is better from that respect but at almost $400 for 20 litres its not on my menu.

p

Originally Posted by BaronJ

Hi Guys,

Personally I'll stick to my squeeze bottles and brushes ! Like you, I don't use my machines on a daily basis.

That's what I've been doing on the few machining jobs I've been doing lately but its a stop gap for me. Plus I really need another arm when doing it on the lathe.
I suppose being trained to use coolant most of the time its hard to not want to continue.
p

Originally Posted by bollie7

I couldn't afford to fill the mill tank with Inox. Rough calcs say its about 25-30 litre capacity at least. Even with just 50mm of depth its still about 15 litres.

Get something like a bunch of polyethylene containers/bottles and fill them with water and place these in the tank so they reduce the volume of coolant needed.

I'm sold on the ATF misting system on my small mill. Have used less than 100mL of ATF in over a year. However, I can understand someone not wanting to set up compressed air and shed ventilation unless they already have this handy.

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Originally Posted by BobL

Get something like a bunch of polyethylene containers/bottles and fill them with water and place these in the tank so they reduce the volume of coolant needed.

Thanks Bob.That's a good idea. Hadn't thought of that. I should have though. Sometime I think I might be getting early onset dementia

Originally Posted by BobL

I'm sold on the ATF misting system on my small mill. Have used less than 100mL of ATF in over a year. However, I can understand someone not wanting to set up compressed air and shed ventilation unless they already have this handy.

That's my issue. Its a a 6 X 3 metre shed so not much room with all my stuff in there.
peter

Have you considered using soluble oil and just reducing the ratio of eater to oil?
If this perceived rust problem is an issue over an extended period of time just clean as best you can after a few days and repute your points of concern.
Yes over a period of time dependant on your location or that other thing climate change/ nature you will have the water evaporate out of your sump but it should only require topping up with more water.
If you are susceptible to any type of medical condition that may be exassabated by soluble oil then I am sorry.

Originally Posted by bollie7

That's my issue. Its a a 6 X 3 metre shed so not much room with all my stuff in there.
peter

I have my compressor in an enclosure outside, and reticulated around the inside of, my shed, good for keeping the noise down. An exhaust fan for the size of your shed could be be as basic as a bathroom exhaust fan, very useful for other stuff too like grinding dust and welding fumes etc

bollie7
I gave up using water based coolants years ago for the same reasons that you have mentioned. I use recycled ATF oil on both my mill and lathe. I have both fitted with flood and mist coolant systems both work fine.Solved the rust and evaporation problems and cost next to nothing for the ATF.
Bob

I use low pressure compressed air. A nozzle directed at the cutter with somewhere around 7-10psi of air keeps things under control. It has no lubricating properties but works well to keep the heat out.

Apparently Lanotec is better from that respect but at almost $400 for 20 litres its not on my menu.

Used to use it on bare metal surfaces, but seemed to attract the rats. Haven't used since and no more rat crap.

Originally Posted by jatt

Used to use it on bare metal surfaces, but seemed to attract the rats. Haven't used since and no more rat crap.

Expensive rat food.

p.

I've been doing a bit more reading and I'll probably end up staying with staying with the semi synthetic soluble cutting fluid. Just have to be more vigilant with the corrosion side of it.
I thought Inox was expensive at $229/20 litres unto I saw a price for Rocol Ultra cut long life - Around $400 for 20 litres, although that goes a long way once diluted. It doesn't appear to be available in anything smaller either.
Is anyone using the XDP1800 Soluble Metal Cutting Fluid that Hare & Forbes sell?

Peter

Expensive rat food.

Yeah my pets must have a Lanolin fetish!!!!

Gunna try out some from a mob called Excision once my current supplies run out. Cant vouch for cost at this stage, but they couldn't be more helpful with my bandsaw blades. Ran into them at Jeffs shed last year at Manufacturing show. Have agents all over the joint, inc one here in Bendigo. No not a shareholder, just a happy cust.