Cutting fluid

[Paul Smith 37Participant @paulsmith37]

Any recommendations for cutting fluid fort eh lathe thats doesnt stink? The workshop is just off the kitchen and er indoors dont like stinky stuff. many thanks pauly

[Paul Smith 37Participant @paulsmith37]

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

I use one from Castrol called Alusol which is used on aluminium but is also suitable for all metals. The smell is minimal even after being in use for two years.

I dilutes up to 20 to 1

Brian

[Martin ConnellyParticipant @martinconnelly55370]

Most modern cutting fluids are fine. I use a trigger spray bottle rather than flood coolant and only small quantities. I also use water from a rainwater butt to dilute it so it has no minerals or chlorine in it. Your tap water may be ok but why risk it if you have rainwater. I think the biggest problem is from flood coolant collecting in a sump and just lying there for a long time. I use a paint brush and RTD thread cutting oil for threading, just a smear on the surface is all that is required.

Martin C

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Brian H. I thought that was for the treatment of Haemorrhoids ?

[peak4Participant @peak4]

When my Warco GH1330 arrived, it came complete with a partially full tank of neat cutting fluid.

Well almost empty tank really; on the advice of my local Pennine Lubricants, I ordered 20l of Metacut CF from their range.

A lot nicer and cleaner than suds, seems pretty universal, and didn't cost the earth.

It's also made parting off far less traumatic, even with just a dribble feed on the Myford.

I just use the coolant pump / nozzle on the Warco to act as an on demand tap to fill a small squeezy bottle for use on the Myford.

Bill

Edited By peak4 on 10/02/2020 14:33:01

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Posted by Speedy Builder5 on 10/02/2020 14:22:17:

Brian H. I thought that was for the treatment of Haemorrhoids ?

Easily confused; I nearly took a tube in to the man cave until I read the label .

George.

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

I use Rocol Ultracut 370 plus at (theoretically) the appropriate dilution. Probably 40:1 (ish) in practice given my sloppy top up habits for both water and lubricant. I even put it in the Bujur Spraymist systems but they are tweaked to be more micro drop than mist and I'm well careful over aim with transparent shielding where appropriate to ensure I don't breath it in.

Lasts for ages. Over 10 years for the last 5 litre bottle and its nowhere near empty.

Being synthetic there is negligible odour and no bacterial growth.

Worst point is that residues slowly build up on pretty much everything so chuck and collet grip tends to fall off over the years needing serious cleaning efforts to remove. That stuff is slippery.

Clive

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

What causes the smell are the bacteria that set work in soluble oil when held in a reservoir, for some time, such as over a week end.

If you are applying with a brush, spray, or drip feed, you are unlikely to have problems, based on my limited experience.

Howard

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Most people with hobby lathes cut dry? If using neat cutting fluids, the biggest problem might be smoke?

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

My last lathe a super 7 used soluble oil, my new Warco 290V lathe is going to use Neatcut cutting oil, unfortunately my first foray with it on ended with loads of it on the floor due to a poorly designed rear guard.

Tony

[Philip PowellParticipant @philippowell34749]

Posted by not done it yet on 10/02/2020 17:02:27:

Most people with hobby lathes cut dry? If using neat cutting fluids, the biggest problem might be smoke?

Only if you don't dilute it enough.

Modern soluble cutting oils don't go off like the good old stuff that could make a real pong if left too long.

Phil.

Edited By Philip Powell on 10/02/2020 18:14:42

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Only if you don't dilute it enough.

Shirley if you dilute it, it’s no longer ‘neat’? Is the OP asking about cutting fluid or coolant?

[Paul Smith 37Participant @paulsmith37]

Cutting fluid

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Shirley???

Brian

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Use carbide tooling and no cutting fluid is needed for usual hobby use. A squirt of whatever oil you use on the lathe ways is good when screwcutting.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Brian H on 11/02/2020 07:30:01:

Shirley???

Brian

A reference to a joke in the film 'Airplane!'

'One of the movie's most famous lines comes as Rumack asks Ted is he can fly the plane. Shocked, Ted says "surely you can't be serious," to which Rumack responds with the iconic "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley." While the line is certainly funny, Nielsen's stone-faced delivery makes it a classic.'

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

I have 5l of this. Never used it yet.

**LINK**

I use WD40 on aluminium occasionally and CT-90 on ferrous.

**LINK**

Perhaps an extraction fan (away from the direction of the kitchen) might be a good investment?

edited to add another – I suppose it is classed as a fluid (certainly not a ‘solid’ solid) – I use this for threading and sometimes for drilling.

https://www.orbitalfasteners.co.uk/products/ct-90-cutting-tapping-lubricant-480gm-compound-action-can-1528

Edited By not done it yet on 11/02/2020 12:02:03

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Posted by Hopper on 11/02/2020 09:10:01:

Use carbide tooling and no cutting fluid is needed for usual hobby use. A squirt of whatever oil you use on the lathe ways is good when screwcutting.

And for knurling & parting off?

Tony

[Paul Smith 37Participant @paulsmith37]

Thanks Guys, good advice. !

[Raymond AndersonParticipant @raymondanderson34407]

Castrol, Hysol X or Alusol B

[clogsParticipant @clogs]

my plan is to use Hydraulic oil as a cutting fluid when my machines are unpacked from the big move…………..

previously only ever used Q8 dilutable cutting fluid……think it was about £100 for 25 ltrs……when left standing u get a frog spawn type growth in the tank….had enough of that……..

My as new Super7 and VMF mill only gets Hydraulic oil…….dont want water anywhere near em…..

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by Tony Pratt 1 on 12/02/2020 10:45:55:

Posted by Hopper on 11/02/2020 09:10:01:

Use carbide tooling and no cutting fluid is needed for usual hobby use. A squirt of whatever oil you use on the lathe ways is good when screwcutting.

And for knurling & parting off?

Tony

Same as for screwcutting. Squirt from the oil can. (Usually leftover 20/50 engine oil in my case)

[Brian MorehenParticipant @brianmorehen85290]

Metercut CF Found this on EBay a few years ago , The best I have found to date forThread Cutting Hacksawing and thing else you need to cut

Bian Morehen

[Paul Smith 37Participant @paulsmith37]

I’ve bought some ct90 . Seems to work quite well, a bit stickier than oil for sure

[Author]

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