[Newbie] Machine Housekeeping

Gerry

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Feb 21, 2015
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How do y'all keep your machines clean? I gave up on using water based coolant in my system because it goes away so fast. Thinking about using kerosine instead to allow me to direct a flow to clean up after use? Smart? Stupid? Better ideas appreciated!
 
I would be concerned about the fire hazard using kerosene.

Tom S
 
Why not use oil ?? Cutting oils can be had now that are clear ? No rust no problem a little more but not much when you factor in the chance of fire damage.
 
Everything just seems to stick to oil. Swarf builds up in places that are almost impossible to get to without disassembly of my machines. With the taper attachment and DRO always seeming to be in the way I'm just looking for an easier way to do things. I seldom use flood coolant because of the mess so I was thinking about using the flood system with something to assist in keeping the machine clean. BTW, it's a PM1340.
 
How do y'all keep your machines clean? I gave up on using water based coolant in my system because it goes away so fast.
What do you mean by "...it goes away so fast"?

If you are referring to evaporation, I replenish my system periodically by adding water. I use a Brix refractometer to measure the coolant concentration and adjust accordingly. I have only used about 1-1/2 gallons of coolant/lubricant since December, 2011.

I use a length of PVC hose which I connect to my coolant nozzle for washdown. It allows me to direct a fairly high pressure stream into tight corners to wash the chips into the chip pan on the coolant reservoir where I can easily remove them.

Stay away from the kerosene. Hot chips and large amounts of kerosene are disaster waiting to happen.

Bob
 
I guess I have a bit different take on machine housekeeping. I keep the swarf out of the moving parts, and wipe down the ways and keep things oiled. I don't allow too much build up where stringy stuff can grab and throw it across the room. The rest of it I just grab a handful and put it in the trash. I do use air on my machines to blow things off, but am very careful not to blow chips into the moving parts. I don't worry about the small stuff that seems to get stuck in the non-critical areas. I also use a shop vac to get most of the small stuff. Occasionally I wipe the machines down with some solvent on a rag, but it's not a daily housekeeping chore. It's a shop, not an operating room.:)
 
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