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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Rubyvale Qld Australia
    Age
    60
    Posts
    35

    Default What can I use as a cutting fluid.

    I need to cut 10 of the 16, 22 & 32mm holes into 3mm SHS using annular cutting bits and the only business in our small town that sell this kind of cutting oil is completely out.
    I'd like to do this job tomorrow and am wondering what other products could I use to help the annular cutting bits last longer.

    Cutting Bits .jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    1,105

    Default

    I wouldn't even bother if you are only cutting into 3mm thickness.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    1,105

    Default

    Just use some cutting compound such as trefolex if you must.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    We use ordinary coolant mixed with water for our annular cutters, when the machine is being used upside down on 3-4mm RHS we don't use any as it won't flow upside down and can't be bothered putting on a longer tube. If you'r really worried about it, use some CRC/WD40 and the likes, or as ComVC puts it any cutting compound will do.
    You'll probably find that it won't get hot enough to be of any major concern, on that thickness anyway.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Guys,

    In the absence of anything else, lard, ideally mixed with a bit of sulphur ! Just brush it on the face of the cutter.

    Quote Originally Posted by Specialized29er View Post
    I need to cut 10 of the 16, 22 & 32mm holes into 3mm SHS using annular cutting bits and the only business in our small town that sell this kind of cutting oil is completely out.
    I'd like to do this job tomorrow and am wondering what other products could I use to help the annular cutting bits last longer.

    Cutting Bits .jpg
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,540

    Default

    I cut some 2.5mm thick RHS today with a 16mm version and it was fine dry. If you want to be nice to it, I would suggest some WD40 or similar in a spray bottle / can.

    Michael

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    473

    Default

    I'd just use ordinary engine oil.
    Is that bad?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Perth, Western Australia
    Age
    67
    Posts
    362

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by russ57 View Post
    I'd just use ordinary engine oil.
    Is that bad?
    I do too.
    I mix in some WD or CRC to thin it a bit.

    Tony

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Guys,

    The idea behind using something like lard is that it melts easily and is sticky, so it tends to cling to a surface. Adding sulphur or similar improves the lubricating properties. Temaxol is of this ilk !
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    In a former life I did add/move/change work on communication towers. Used to drill a lot of 18 and 26mm holes (M16 and M24 bolts) for splice plates, guy take offs and mounting corsets in everything from 8mm angle iron to 30mm plate, all were drilled dry. Didn’t seem to make much difference to cutter life if we used fluid or not, and not using it meant one less thing to take up.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Gippsland Victoria
    Posts
    733

    Default Cutting Oils

    I've had the impression for a while now that the subject of cutting oil for us hobbyists is a bit like oils for the lathes ways.

    ie. Any oil is better than no oil. I've used cheap olive oil from Woollies at times on my lathe.

    In Sparey's book he talks about using whale oil, other old books talk about using lard as suggested in a post above, somewhere else I found somebody's recipe for stuff he called "angels breath" (= 1 part turps : 2 parts white spirit : 3 parts olive oil) I've seen people recommending Automatic Transmission Fluid in other forums.

    ....... and yes before somebody jumps in, I'm sure that scientifically formulated manufactured cutting oil could be best of all, but if you've gotta do it now and don't have any Tap Magic or Trefolex or Rocol or Venom or Whateverite in the shed then its fine to try some of whatever is available in the "car fluids box" or in the kitchen cupboard.

    Bill

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