mill and lathe.....what should I use for coolant/lubricant?

A little tip that I took too long to learn... If you are going to use WD-40, get the gallon jugs and put it in a spray bottle. You will get much more WD-40 for a lot less.
 
Second vote for WD-40. Although when I installed my Fogbusters I switched to A9. It even work resonably well for light work in steel (and I don't have to change fluid). :)
 
I ran lathes and mill with flood collant where I used to work. I would at home if I had the machines that where setup for it.
On the lathe just setup with a drip at the tool and it won't make any more mess than a mister. On the mill drip just ahead of the cutter.
Just because it is called flood coollant doesn't mean you have to flood with it.
 
lots of good comments....I will try a few of them....see what I like the best for my situation.
 
You can also buy kerosene, by the gallon or in bulk, for far less money, and it will work just about the same.
I've heard of using kerosene as a lube/coolant on glass, but, given its flash- and autoignition-points, how do the temperatures generated by milling/turning not cause it to combust? Or, is it just a matter of pouring enough over the workpiece that it never gets that hot?

(Maybe I'm paranoid, but it still seems dangerous. Either way, thanks for reminding me to check my extinguisers!)

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I agree, flood coolant for the hobbiest is a mess. I am all in for a Kool-Mist system.
WD-40 on aluminum is incredible IMHO.
 
I've heard of using kerosene as a lube/coolant on glass, but, given its flash- and autoignition-points, how do the temperatures generated by milling/turning not cause it to combust? Or, is it just a matter of pouring enough over the workpiece that it never gets that hot?

(Maybe I'm paranoid, but it still seems dangerous. Either way, thanks for reminding me to check my extinguisers!)

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Flash point of WD40 is 122F https://www.wd40.com/files/pdf/msds-wd494716385.pdf
Flash point of kerosene is 100-162F per your link https://www.wd40.com/files/pdf/msds-wd494716385.pdf

Both are about the same. Both are much less flammable than gasoline. I have not heard stories of flames caused by using either while machining. I would not use either as flood coolant, but for small amounts I am not too concerned.
 
Its been my opinion. and that is all, but if you take kerosene and put it on the ground, like on a concrete driveway or on steel and put a match to it, it wont ignite. Put it with paper or cardboard and it ignites because there is something else that is flammable that can sustain the ignition.

I believe what we are concerned about is the autoignition temperature of kerosene. That is the lowest temperature at which a mixture will ignite in the absence of spark or flame. That temperature for kerosene is 428 deg F (220 C). This is at atmospheric pressure, increase the pressure like a diesel engine and that temperature drops significantly.

If I had some kerosene I would demonstrate and take a video....the temperature of a lighted match is about 450 degrees F, that is the ignition temperature of dry wood and paper.

Disclaimer...I am not a scientist, take these comments with a grain of salt...my attorney advises I put that down.... :)
 
I work in a small machine shop, we have 6 mills and 5 lathes of varying sizes, all use flood coolant except when milling with a facemill when the manufacturer recommends doing it dry.
In aluminum materials water soluble flood coolants are excellent.

Dry face milling steel
you can use flood coolant because you have a door and contained area to keep the splash in. Also you or your maintenance people test the coolant on some kind of regular basis and change it out as needed....that was how it was done when I was working....
 
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