Metalworking Fluid for Acme Gridley's

[jck26]

I am considering a change from water-based cutting fluid to oil (mineral or vegatable) on 13 Acme Gridley 8-spindle bar machines. The material we are running is 1215 with the traditional tooling and speeds for these machines. We are considering this for better lubrication of both the cutting tools and machine.

There are many issues to consider (i have 5 pages of them). Does any one have experience in going back to oil after using water based fluids for bar turning.

 

[BillPSU]

I've worked in one place where the coolant was changed because of the material being cut and made changeovers on several occasions. I assume you are changing over to either the old sulfurized cutting oils or one of the newer lighter cutting oils. Your term of mineral oil or vegetable oil would not be my choice of fluids. When you change to a cutting oil there will be changes in the ability of the fluid to cool your tools. Deep hole drilling will present challenges and the heat generated will not dissipate as rapidly.

Cleanup around the machine will increase as floor dry will have to be used to control oil around the machine. Parts will be covered in oil and will probably have to cleaned with solvent.

My real question is why you want to change? Water soluble coolant will be cheaper, cleaner, give better cooling characteristics. Your material of 1215 is readily machinable. If you are trying to solve you coolant problem of tramp oil contamination this change might hide the problem but cutting oil is not a lubricating oil and will not solve your machine seal problem. It will probably make it worse.