Ethanol mist for cutting aluminium

[magicniner]

is this the article the OP is refereing to?

http://www.mmsonline.com/articles/al...ndly-machining

I doubt it as extraction, containment and fire suppression equipment are stated to be implemented for alcohol use, you wouldn't need to worry about the smell in the workshop if that was or was intended to be the case,

- Nick

[Billythefish]

You can definitely do it. You probably also need to run it in conjunction with some sort of extraction, filter, return system. A few things to consider. First of all you dont use much with a minimum quantity system. You dont want to be breathing to much so it is sensible to suck out of the work area and filter/recondense. You could make a system to do this. There are many advantages....

[PaisleyPCdoctor]

I don't know why you are trying so hard to find pure ethanol.
Pure ethanol is subject to alcohol tax as it can be used to make alcoholic drinks.

To avoid this tax, the ethanol can be spiked with about 5% Methanol making it UNDRINKABLE. hence the term 'methylated spirit' or 'denatured ethanol'.

Methylated spirit smells almost identical to ethanol. Methylated spirit purchased in pharmacy or supermarket is further spiked with purple dye, bitrex and some horribly smelling crap that I forget the name of. Obviously to stop idiots drinking it.

You can easily buy methylated spirit without the stinky additives etc.

Small quantities vaporised with decent ventilation would be fine (healthwise), If you went crazy with it, you'd get high as a kite and or start a fire. I'd worry about electric motor in fume extraction equipment.

It may be possible to dilute the alcohol with water to decrease risks?

[cropwell]

If you have to use an alcohol then Isopropanol is cheaper, http://www.newshinyhardware.co.uk/Ch...nol/1000ml.nav and is not loaded with purple dye, bitrex and pyridine like meths. I would avoid a flammable liquid which is dangerous to inhale if possible.

[m_c]

More to the point, why are we resurrecting a year old thread?

[magicniner]

More to the point, why are we resurrecting a year old thread?

Holy Thread Resurrection Batman! :D

It's a fair point but if there is pertinent information to add which may help others searching later I think it's OK, your suggestion of Isopropyl Alcohol is a good one, I use it for many things as it's available at very reasonable cost for 5L

- Nick

[cropwell]

More to the point, why are we resurrecting a year old thread?

It is the spirit of Christmas past

[Boyan Silyavski]

I stopped using mine own mixture or soluble oil. Now i use pure kerosene/ or paraffin you call it/, the one for the stoves they sell in 10 and 20l bottles. And right now is the time to buy, as in summer there is nowhere to buy it from. It's perfect for aluminum or whatever. And as my transparent container was a good quality one/ the water filter/ there is no problem with the plastic from the kerosene.

[PaisleyPCdoctor]

For those using alcohol for cooling, does it also have any effect on aluminium sticking to cutters or is it purely for cooling?

[Desertboy]

I stopped using mine own mixture or soluble oil. Now i use pure kerosene/ or paraffin you call it/, the one for the stoves they sell in 10 and 20l bottles. And right now is the time to buy, as in summer there is nowhere to buy it from. It's perfect for aluminum or whatever. And as my transparent container was a good quality one/ the water filter/ there is no problem with the plastic from the kerosene.

kerosene (28 Sec) is readily available all year long if you ring a fuel supplier I used to run my steam cleaning machine on it it's was cheaper than red.

I remember you could buy it in B&Q for £4 for 0.5l at the time or I could buy it from fuel supplier for 58p a litre a mile down the road lol.

was a few years ago now.