I know it's gimicky but i couldn't resist when i saw this

 

So how does it work?

 

Haven't tried it yet. Will let you know once I do, although I was told it's actually becoming quite popular.

 

I think its pretty cool, let me know.

What are you using for coolant?

 

I was using hocut (I think thats what it was called) for a while, but found it was staining the aluminium if I didn't clean parts off right away. Lately I've been using some no name stuff I get from busy bee tools. $20 for 4L. I mix it about 30:1 by eye and have no complaints with it. That being said I've tried 4-5 different coolants and never really found much of a different in them from a cutting standpoint.

 

Sorry my mistake. I just checked and the stuff I am using now is called kut-sol. I do get it from busy bee though.

http://www.forsythe.on.ca/products/mwf/soluble.htm

I actually like it, it doesn't smell too bad and doesn't seam to go rancid.

 

Hocut, haha, thats what I am running right now, got a 5 gallon for free, almost done with it though, last batch is in the machine. It seems alright. but it does smell a bit, but I like the coolant smell, as long as it doesn't break down. Previously I used some clear stuff from kaltenbach, it kicked ***, great cutting on SS and Al.

 

I don't mind the smell of the hocut or the stuff I am using, but some of the specialty stuff has a higher sulphur content and stinks. Reminds me of 80-90 her oil. I cut mostly Al so I don't worry too much about coolant. From what I've been told good coolant can make or break jobs in stainless.

What are you running for a machine now?

 

An old matsuura, super low hours, deadly accurate, its actually a pretty cool machine, just a bit dated in some ways. I should really run more work on it but I am always so busy welding I hardly get to run any production on it,mostly gets used for making basic one off fixture stuff.
I've done a bunch of work to it, blows my mind when I work on it and use it to make stuff that they were that advanced with cnc in the 80's, its much better than a haas that is ten years newer.

 

Well that makes me hate you. I forget the model number but it's big and red isn't it. I almost picked one up for free (blow servo) months back but couldn't organize a rigger and figure out how to get it in the shop on such short notice. Absolutely amazing machines, boxed ways and exceptional castings.

 

Yep big red, except mine is about 50% white now because I built a big enclosure and painted it white.

 

well if you ever decide to sell give me a heads up. That machine is on the short list for when I upgrade.

 

Try coolmist 77. I have that in every machine from the cnc mills to the cnc lathe both the cold saw and doall horizontal. There is probably something that works better but this is easy and it doesn't stain and I don't need to clean the parts. Leaves no real film and the steel parts I cut on the cold saw I can weld without any cleaning. I have 1 job that uses allot of 1 sq mild steel tube. The machines will blow off clean and not rust. Biodegradable
I do mostly aluminum but just ran 450 idlers out of steel. I do mix it on the very rich side.

As far as engraving or really small endmills the easiest thing is to mount a laminate trimmer to the quill for that purpose. Less wear and tear on the spindle motor and spindle. If needed I just do the engraving as a seperate op

 

How does it cut on stainless?

 

Yeah they are great machines, I'll let you know when it comes time for me to upgrade.

 

We use the same. Good stuff. Won't kill you, and won't kill the environment.

 

I did a run of about 400 pcs of spacer/bushings for idlers out of 1.125 dia 303 and it was just fine. turning drilling and parting didn't need to clean that parts either just let dry then boxed and delivered Like I said I am sure there is better for different applications but for me this works so well I have no desire to even think about changing. I do always mix it much richer then it says especially when using it as a mist doing deep grooving cuts in aluminum. 1 1/2 x dia in depth or more Everything except the mills use flood all the time. The cnc mills I tend to use mist more. habit probably a bad one haha