Thinning cutting oil

[Taylorbok]

I've seen guys using ATF to thin out their cutting oil, I'm wondering why not use mineral spirits or paint thinner?
should be able to thin it out easier than ATF

I asked a few times in the barrel flush thread but never got any responses.

 

[DaveTooley]

Those will evaporate in an open system. Better to start with an oil that doesn't need thinning.

 

[Taylorbok]

Those will evaporate in an open system. Better to start with an oil that doesn't need thinning.

I guess I should have thought of evaporation.

What oil do you use/ recommend?

 

[urbanrifleman]

I've seen guys using ATF to thin out their cutting oil, I'm wondering why not use mineral spirits or paint thinner?
should be able to thin it out easier than ATF

I asked a few times in the barrel flush thread but never got any responses.

Atf is mineral oil. Same as cutting oil.

 

[DaveTooley]

I've tried many over the years. When I setup my Haas TL-1 I tried water base but didn't like it. I had several oils that I liked but companies changed hands and they were discontinued. I got a cold call from a rep from Monroe Fluid Technologies one day, he stopped by and their engineers recommended Astro Swiss HD LV. Since then I switched to their Astro Swiss HD MV. I'm happy with that. There are lots of oils that would work. What we do is not difficult in the machining world. Go to MSC's website and explore all the cutting oils they have. Somewhere price and performance will meet up for you.

 

[LVLAaron]

Atf is mineral oil. Same as cutting oil.

With a bunch of detergents and additives. A half quart in my 5 gallon tank really made a big difference in chip flow.

 

[Taylorbok]

I've tried many over the years. When I setup my Haas TL-1 I tried water base but didn't like it. I had several oils that I liked but companies changed hands and they were discontinued. I got a cold call from a rep from Monroe Fluid Technologies one day, he stopped by and their engineers recommended Astro Swiss HD LV. Since then I switched to their Astro Swiss HD MV. I'm happy with that. There are lots of oils that would work. What we do is not difficult in the machining world. Go to MSC's website and explore all the cutting oils they have. Somewhere price and performance will meet up for you.

That Astro Swiss doesn't seem to be available in Canada.

I'm literally brand new to this and just getting set up so trying to sort out what works well for others.

I'll find a thin cutting oil that's available in my area and roll with it. Make changes if needed I suppose

 

[swd]

I use Rigid or Oatley dark cutting oil and adding about 20% ATF gives an improvement in surface finish.

 

[urbanrifleman]

With a bunch of detergents and additives. A half quart in my 5 gallon tank really made a big difference in chip flow.

Of course, I guess I should have also elaborated more. They are NOT the same but the basic liquid is the same. It's all about the additives.

 

[hogpatrol]

Back in the day ('60s) sulfur based cutting oils I cut with kerosene. Some guys used carbon tet for good finishes. AFAIK, they all got cancer or some sort.

 

[Will Henry]

One barrel-maker friend of mine uses oil of wintergreen to cut his cutting oil. I Don't know if it does anything as far as cutting is concerned, but I like the smell. WH

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have used spindle oil before and it worked well.

 

[FireMedic]

I run wd40 through my flush system and the chambers have mirror finishes. It’s cheap and works well

 

[xr650rRider]

Interview with Jim Borden and he hints that some of his health problems might be attributed to cutting oil mixtures. Of course he was using trichloroethylene and that should be a no-no for anyone.