cutting paste verses coolant system

I have a Proxxon PD 400 lathe, this lathe is not provided with a coolant system. I have much to learn and have just started on a project using mild steel. I currently apply cutting paste applied with a brush but everything is now becoming covered in a sticky residue. I did consider squirting a metal cutting liquid over the work but as it would need to be drained from the watertight drip tray beneath the lathe I thought maybe to go the whole hog and fit a water diluted cutting fluid, pumped system . Can others please give me the benefit of their experience.

I apply a water soluable cutting liquid with a small brush, does not leave an oily or stick mess as what does not evaporate is soaked up by the swarf

I use a washing up liquid bottle with a small nozzle . for longer cuts I use a drip can with adjustable tap . both using soluable mixed at 80-1
Nobby

Edited By Nobby on 20/03/2014 16:35:35

Edited By jason udall on 20/03/2014 16:55:36

Hello, you say you have much to learn. Well to be honest we all do, however, one thing to remember is that cutting pastes are mostly for application to hand operated cutting tools and some slow working mechanical ones such as pipe threading machines. Soluble and non soluble liquids are used for turning, milling drilling and boring in order to lubricate the cutting edge of the tool and also to cool it. This is not acheivable with cutting paste. I use either a brush or a trigger operated spray bottle to apply my soluble oil and also the neat cutting oil. It used to contain kitchen spray and when the pump wears out theres always another spray bottle just about to come empty from some household cleaning fluid or other. Good recycling and cheaper than a lathe coolant pump that will possibly spray it all over the place.

Happy engineering

Rick

13sigs -

Some years ago I bought a tin of tapping grease to use on my TAIG lathe (now sold) but found that the stuff got everywhere and it smelt. (Great for tapping though).

Generally, the need for some sort of flood coolant can increase as the size of the lathe increases. For instance, with a small TAIG lathe, flood coolant would be OTT, brushed on cutting oil or suds from a squirty bottle would be more appropriate. Once you reach the size of shall we say a Myford, flood coolant versus brush or squirty starts to depend on the size of the job in hand.

My lathe is a 10x24, a little larger than a Myford. Some very small jobs I'll just brush on a little cutting oil but for some serious swarf removal I turn on the pumped cutting oil. Others may do things differently but this is my way!

Rik aka 3infREME