My Coolant System

[Tenson]

I blocked the nozzle to reduce the size and increase the pressure of the stream. I expected the flexi things would handle some pressure since coolant is meant to be quite powerful, isn't it? Enough to blast the swarf away I thought.

[Robin Hewitt]

coolant is meant to be quite powerful, isn't it? Enough to blast the swarf away I thought.

Coolant keeps things cool, if you add lubricant it can stop things sticking, maybe ease the tool through the metal somewhat. It washes the swarf away, but if you are end milling with only one nozzle you have to aim it high on the tool above the depth off cut. Coming down from above helps avoid any metal holding fixtures. Quantity is more important than velocity, without air in the mix it is a "flood" coolant.

Yes, you do see it used at higher pressure with multiple nozzles but usually the machine has a closeable door to keep it in. The door is plastered with coolant, nobody cares if the hoses leak a bit. Was the original nose better than the cheap Chinese version? I can't remember.

[Tenson]

Well I did my first cut today using the coolant. Big smile!

I still have a leak in the bed to track down but I think I know where to look. Other than that, it worked really well!

This test cut was on a piece of cheap aluminium that comes on the front of a tweeter unit for some speakers I make. I've tried to cut it before with an occasional squirt of WD40 but it always jammed up the cutter. 3mm cutters broke and 6mm cutters jammed and went blunt.

In this picture you can see both climb and conventional sides of the test cut. This was a 3mm cutter without any finish pass. Just to the left corner you can also see the poor finish I was getting before I had coolant. I imagine with good quality aluminium plate, 6mm cutter and a finish pass I'll get a really beautiful cut!

I'll post some pictures of the actual set-up later. Just to say though, with a skirt on the spindle I actually get very little splash from the coolant, just lots flowing over the bed.

Oh and I have a mix of 90% water 10% oil.

[Tenson]

A video of stuff in action -