Wet or dry....that is the question

[Suzuki4evr]

Hi guys.
This is a question for all,but I guess the older(more experienced ) guys would give their opinions best.
I usually and almost always mill with coolent no matter what the matrial,but I have noticed on alot of posts on
H-M that people do mill without coolent or lubricant. Why is that and what do you chipmakers think or recomend. I know how I do it,so this is just a "What do YOU think" question.

 

[markba633csi]

Flycutting aluminum is one case where I usually cut dry. But drilling and tapping it, 50/50 wet or dry. Cutting steel I almost always do wet.
Brass and cast iron, dry.
Mark

 

[Doubleeboy]

If I am doing a surface where surface finish matters I use a little cutting oil or coolant smeared on work and run a air nozzle behind the cutter to blow chips forward, so flycutter or facemill does not drag a chip around and scratch finish. I run the air at low pressures so it does not blow the cutting oil away.

 

[Suzuki4evr]

Flycutting aluminum is one case where I usually cut dry. But drilling and tapping it, 50/50 wet or dry. Cutting steel I almost always do wet.
Brass and cast iron, dry.
Mark

I agree on the aluminium, brass and cast iron

 

[Cadillac]

I was told a long time ago by a old timer. He said boy lubrication is essential in EVERY aspect of life. Seriously if you want good tool life and better finish then you want lube. Since I built a mister it’s a lot easier than fussin with bottle brush cut.

 

[Silverbullet]

Cutting fluids should be used even fly cutting aluminum . As others have said brass and cast iron are cut dry. At some point even brass ends up needing it to keep build up on cutters from marking finish.

 

[Groundhog]

I almost always use flooding with a coolant/lubricant on my CNC small mill regardless of material (Trim C350). If for nothing else than to move swarf away from the tool. But I have a good flooding system and an enclosure to keep the mess down.

On lathe projects I usually brush either Tap Magic Aluminum Cutting Fluid (aluminum) or Rapid Tap Heavy Duty (ferrous metals). I am less likely to use either on the lathe just because I'm lazy. I plan on adding a mister or flood to the lathe soon.

There are way too many coolants and lubricants and combinations of both to keep up with. (note that there are coolants, there are lubricants and there are coolant/lubricants.)
For my mill I ended up just finding a company that I had a warm fuzzy feeling about, calling and went with their recommendation. Worked for me!
For the lathe I've just been using whatever was available locally and works ok (purchased in in small cans/bottles so I could try something else if needed) to work.

 

[dulltool17]

50/50 Auto Transmission Fluid/WD-40 works for almost everything.