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Cutting oil of choice

M

Megar arc 5040dd

Super User
What is everyones cutting oil/fluid of choice for the home shop? Do you have different ones or a one size fits all for all your needs. I am at the end of the bottle and thought I would look at what is out there and maybe try something new. I have been using this https://www.homedepot.ca/product/masters-cutting-oil-500ml-spray-bottle/1000723450 for the last 10 or 12 years at least. I use it for steel on the lathe, mill, drill press, and for tapping. I would just pick up a bottle from home depot every few years but last time they no longer carried it in 1L bottles. it works good but it smokes more than I would like especially in the winter when I don't want the window open and the fan going. I have found it online at home hardware so I can still get it locally if I decide to go with it still. for aluminum I use WD-40. I know this has probably been asked before but I am really bad with the search function on this site.

Also wondering how much you guys use and how you are applying it on the lathe and mill? I am starting to think I am using it a little to liberally but not sure how to apply less. I am just bushing some on the work with an acid brush but usually end up with an oily mess on the machine when I am done a part. Or is it normal to have a fair bit on the surface of the part? do you reapply between each cut or less often?
 
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Jswain

Thread 'Jswain's active projects'

Figured I would make my own thread as I'm always tinkering in the shop. Be forewarned I am a very amateur machinist :p

First project is adding one of the cheap vevor power feeds to my RF45 mill. Of course I did not splurge for the more expensive bolt on unit, why make it easy?

I started by swapping the x axis lead screw end for end, as well as the thrust bearing was moved to the left so I can install the power feed(hopefully) on the right, clocked clockwise enough to clear the table.

I used the cast iron lead screw support I removed to measure & make an adapter in fusion360 which is...
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The info you’ll find here is a good place to start for a Forum discussion about cutting oils.

You have to skip ahead - the cutting oil topic starts at post #109
 
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For a fluid (concentrate mixed with water) I use Trim microsol 585xt, only one I've found that doesn't rot.

more on the last page here

J

Thread 'Bought a diamond in the rough mill probly'

So I picked up my first mill it's a king 1050vs and for the most part seems in good condition not that old, used in low production environment and comes with dro and power feed head and table and some light abuse.

Anyways long story short the gib is stuck In the knee and they broke gib lock screw and lost the tightening screw :( and looks like an attempt to free it up has been made and was unsuccessful hopefully resulting in no real damage but I will not know untill I investigate further.

So currently looking into the various ways people have solved this issue and seems to be few...
 
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If we're talking tapping/boring I use Rapid tap for metal alloys and A-9 for aluminum. If we are talking coolant in the lathe I use a product called Super Saw, synthetic water based stuff that doesn't go rancid.
 
Megar arc 5040dd said:
What is everyones cutting oil/fluid of choice for the home shop? Do you have different ones or a one size fits all for all your needs. I am at the end of the bottle and thought I would look at what is out there and maybe try something new. I have been using this https://www.homedepot.ca/product/masters-cutting-oil-500ml-spray-bottle/1000723450 for the last 10 or 12 years at least. I use it for steel on the lathe, mill, drill press, and for tapping. I would just pick up a bottle from home depot every few years but last time they no longer carried it in 1L bottles. it works good but it smokes more than I would like especially in the winter when I don't want the window open and the fan going. I have found it online at home hardware so I can still get it locally if I decide to go with it still. for aluminum I use WD-40. I know this has probably been asked before but I am really bad with the search function on this site.

Also wondering how much you guys use and how you are applying it on the lathe and mill? I am starting to think I am using it a little to liberally but not sure how to apply less. I am just bushing some on the work with an acid brush but usually end up with an oily mess on the machine when I am done a part. Or is it normal to have a fair bit on the surface of the part? do you reapply between each cut or less often?
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Best I have found is LPS gold. I have a #30 drill bit that drilled through over 50 inches of tool steel and is still going strong. Drill life used to be a couple of holes. Each hole is 1" deep. Drilled half way from each end. I think the gold refers to the price though. I find it to be far better than Rapid-tap.
 
I’ve been using a mix of stuff, had some LPS Gold, I think it’s all gone now, have a bunch of rapid tap, used to have some of the old school ‘Cool Tool’ that I think had ingredients that were eventually banned.

At current rate I still have enough for another 2-3 years, then I may have to actually buy some.

Most of mine was either sales samples, or trade shows back in the day.
 
I've used either a brush or oil can. Is anyone using mist spray. I'm thinking of it. What do you use for cutting oil. Some people are mentioning that there is stuff that spoils is this water based?
 
I use regular old Rigid sulfurized cutting oil for general use, Tap magic and, for the really tough stuff, Moly-Dee. Apply with an acid brush or from the tip of the squeeze bottle. I recently purchased Trim Sol 690XT for mist cooling but haven't needed it yet.
 
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