Chester 949 Turret Mill, Good Buy?

I havent used Lube finder, but they now on the radar for the next time I need some.

I use flood coolant on my Colchester Lathe, it’s probably because I’m a newby to all this, but I found that despite advise form Sandvic etc, that using it extended the life of carbide cutters considerably. However, I’m always concerned about cleaning down the lathe meticulously in case the coolant causes rust. With the mill, I’m concerned that coolant will get under the vice and may cause rust.....is this a justified fear? and if so, apart from using Metalguard and wayoil is there anything else I can do to project the table from it?
 
Hi Mike, a surface grinder...... now there is a machine I would one day like to own. Which one did you get?
 
Yes, that's a legitimate concern. Good soluble coolant is a good corrosion inhibitor and I've found that splashes evaporate before doing any harm. Areas where coolant wicks into and the water can't evaporate are another matter.... I'm extremely sparing of my use of coolant, and even then only use a mister, not flood, or just brushed on. More often than not, I just use air. It clears chips more effectively than any liquid. My experience has been that clearing chips so they're not recut has more impact on tool life than cooling them, then a few dabs of coolant applied with a brush to the part for finishing cuts seems to do the trick in most cases. The "Dromus B" from lube finder has been excellent for my use.
 
Great looking mill!
Looks a lot like my Jet JTM-2
I'd go with a DRO Pro setup and never look back.
I sure do like mine.
Congrats!
 
Lo-Fi said:
Yes, that's a legitimate concern. Good soluble coolant is a good corrosion inhibitor and I've found that splashes evaporate before doing any harm. Areas where coolant wicks into and the water can't evaporate are another matter.... I'm extremely sparing of my use of coolant, and even then only use a mister, not flood, or just brushed on. More often than not, I just use air. It clears chips more effectively than any liquid. My experience has been that clearing chips so they're not recut has more impact on tool life than cooling them, then a few dabs of coolant applied with a brush to the part for finishing cuts seems to do the trick in most cases. The "Dromus B" from lube finder has been excellent for my use.
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Lo-Fi,
I just used the Kool Mist for the first time. It worked great to lubricate the drill bit and blow away the chips but even though I used a small amount of coolant, I had a mess I'm not use to dealing with.
If I had placed a pipe fitting at the end table trough and directed the coolant into a container, I wouldn't have had it all over the floor and the base of my mill. There are times when it will be nice to use coolant. It came with the mill.
 
I'm pretty stingy with the mister - mine has adjustable air and coolant feeds - and pop a few rags down either side of the vise to stop it heading all over the table. "Too much can never compare to just enough" as the Chinese proverb says.

There are times when I'd love to be able to go nuts with the flood coolant, but not enough to justify the work setting up, cleaning up and maintaining for my use.
 
I could have turned down the flow, probably should have. I went through about half a pint of coolant.
 
Lo-Fi said:
Yes, that's a legitimate concern. Good soluble coolant is a good corrosion inhibitor and I've found that splashes evaporate before doing any harm. Areas where coolant wicks into and the water can't evaporate are another matter.... I'm extremely sparing of my use of coolant, and even then only use a mister, not flood, or just brushed on. More often than not, I just use air. It clears chips more effectively than any liquid. My experience has been that clearing chips so they're not recut has more impact on tool life than cooling them, then a few dabs of coolant applied with a brush to the part for finishing cuts seems to do the trick in most cases. The "Dromus B" from lube finder has been excellent for my use.
Click to expand...
appreciate your suggestions, is the air cooling for carbide or for HSS cutters?
 
Deema said:
appreciate your suggestions, is the air cooling for carbide or for HSS cutters?
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I tend to use air only for carbide. It really doesn't like re-cutting chips, so coolant can be a liability. Air if aimed correctly evacuates chips immediately and I've had good results that way. Carbide doesn't care so much about heat, and I've found that getting the speed and feed right with air to clear the chips takes the heat out with the chips and the tool and work stay fairly cool anyway.

I do the same with HSS, but tend to use a tiny bit of mist when it feels appropriate. Sometimes I just brush on a bit of straight cutting oil - it depends on the cut, how the chips evacuate and what I'm trying to achieve. On side milling ops, a brush with coolant mix is sometimes all it needs to bring up a good finish, all else being equal.

At the other end of the scale: slitting saws and suchlike seem to like a good mist of coolant, and would probably be very happy with flood. Tools like that with limited room for chips don't tend to like straight cutting oil as it clags the chips to them, and thank you for the "cleaning" action that the air blast and mist provide. Again, just my limited experience passed on in the hope it helps.

I've found some really good UK milling tool suppliers if you're interested? Both carbide and HSS. I purchased a little 12mm fine pitch roughing end mill a few weeks back and can honestly say its worth it's weight in gold on the bridgeport! With so much good stuff from the other side of the pond not so easily accessible, I think spreading the word about what we have available in the UK is worthwhile :)
 
QUOTE="Deema, post:"
Hi Mike, a surface grinder...... now there is a machine I would one day like to own. Which one did you get?

Hi Deema, attached is the only photo of my Jones and Shipman 540 surface grinder, that I have, the machine came with an extract and all the wheel balancing 'stuff'. I sold the extract as I have no room for it in my workshop. Unfortunately, since buying the Bridgeport and surface grinder, my breathing has deteriorated (COPD) and I have not been able to manage to do anything in the workshop. I have only used the Bridgeport a couple of times and have yet to clean up the grinder and run it for the first time in it's new home. Today, I feel a bit better, if I feel this good tomorrow, I may attempt to venture out. If I do it will be the first time for a couple of months. It has been very depressing after being used to being active with 'my toys' since I retired 15-years ago.

IMG_2250s.jpg
 
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