I’m here in the machine shop and all of the oil/lubricant is empty. And idea where to get refill? Can I use some 5w-20 from the auto rack?
If you mean for cutting fluid, WD-40 is commonly used at DMS for this. I think there are cans of it around in various places.
The WD-40 is for aluminum. Not sure the current lubricant used for steel, or where it is stored.
Something is better than nothing! Label whatever goes in there meanwhile. Sounds like it’s time to order some more bulk three in one or something similar.
Believe in yellow fire cabinet. WD40 is great for soft metals like Aluminum.
Need to ID a reasonably priced steel specific lubricant. Every will swear by Product XYZ … which can be up to. Need to find something more reasonable. Tap Magics is about Tap Magic is about $74 agallon
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As those oil cans die out (which I personally hope is soon), they are being replaced with the brushes and spill-resistant small tanks. Oil is applied directly where needed. The new lathe has coolant which is better than using oil based lubricants because it cools the cutter and part and keeps it constantly lubricated.
We do have Way Oil for the Haas, Bridgeport and Lathe. Sherline specifically recommend 3-in-1 for the Ways.
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That is a concentration formula. It’s used for the lathe & cold saw.
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There is premix in a 5 gallon container. That is 20-30 times as concentrated as needed.
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I think a cheat sheet or cliff notes regarding the what/where/when/how of cutting fluid use in the Machine Shop – laminated and somehow affixed in one or two noticeable places – would help out a lot. Just from looking at that jug and a cursory reading of the label it would never occur to me that it need a ~25X dilution.
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It says concentrate and gives a brix for dilution.
I think you would agree that if the front of a container has words on it that you don’t understand, you shouldn’t use it.
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Additionally, the various machines have different concentration levels.
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Looking at picture provided I still can’t locate “concentrate”, etc. Then again I am all hopped up on Geritol at the moment…
Normal people might not use something they didn’t understand. What group are we talking about again?
Cliff Notes/Cheat Sheet is still a good idea no matter what…
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I would say as a good general rule: If you really don’t know what it is - don’t pour it into a machine. And it appears Paul is following that by asking first (I’m assuming he didn’t use the concentrate).
There should be a 5 gallon container in the Machine Shop marked “Pre-mix”. It should be noted this is for flooding type coolant, not “brush on type cutting fluid” - i.e. it is pumped by the machine over the cutting area. The Haas, Cold Cut, and Engine Lathe all use flooding coolants/cutting fluids. Each has slightly different recommended coolant concentrations.
The Haas has a very tight range and a refractometer is used to determine how much water or coolant to add.
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Agreed, and also with the talented Mr Busby as well. Best rule hardly anyone ever follows: If you don’t know or aren’t sure, Ask!
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I made some premix of the solution for the cold saw/ lathe. It is in the 5 gallon bucket under the drill press “sharpied PRE-MIX”
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Add about 1 gallon. If coolant flows, you’re good. If not add half-gallon at a time until it flows.
Pour in too much and the tank inside will overflow and you’ll have a major mess to clean up.
Thank you all for the comments. Reading back over my original question and even my follow-up regarding the Trim Microsol, I realize I wasn’t being completely clear as to what I was actually needing it for. So to back up for a minute. I was only needing some cutting oil for the Colchester lathe to brush on the cutting tool as I was turning steel. I did end up using a very small amount of the Microsol in the Spillmaster tub but barely enough to just cover the bottom of the cup. I definitely didn’t pour any of this stuff into any of the machines. 
When the thread cutting class began, I asked Rich (the teacher) about it and he mentioned it needed to be diluted. So, i learned something, but don’t worry, it was barely more than a cap full.
So in terms of cutting fluid specifically for the Spillmaster tub, what should I use? I still am not entirely sure.
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Future reference, you can use the pump. It should be what you need. If you turn the pump on & the valve is open with no flow then we may need to add more premix to the pan.
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Ditto on the pump. You will get much much better results flooding the cutter with coolant. It keeps the part and cutter very well lubricated, cutter and parts cool, and flushes away chips so you can see what is going on.
No harm done and if you learned something - then you and Makerspace has had a good day!
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Will do. Thanks everyone!
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