Machining oil

[Bodgy]

Another stupid question, I'm afraid.

All the texts and manuals refer to 'Soluble Oil' as the most common choice for working most metals on the lathe. I understand that this is oil that is soluble in water.

Where do you get it?

[glock40sw]

G'day.
I buy mine from the local engineering supply place.
I take in a 1 litre milk bottle and they fill it up.
Cost $5 per litre.
When I get home, I mix the 1 litre to 20 litres of water.
and fill the suds tank as needed.

[hux]

Soluble oil is used in flood coolant system. That is on lathes and mills that have a coolant tank and pump.
Now great idea, but man are they messy particularly on a mill. Flood cooling is really only necessary for really high cutting speeds....have a look at a CNC machine. They need it to cool the tool to get life out of them

Most home machinists use normal high sulfur cutting oils or Tap Magic or whatever is needed for the task applied with an oil can or squeeze bottle or a brush. It does a similar job particularly with the lower cutting speeds and demands.

Tradetools Qld sells both normal and soluble cutting oils.

Be aware that soluble oils can grow fungus in the holding tank and promote rust on your machines.

[Bodgy]

Thanks Hux. I been Googling and reading up on general lathe machining issues and I was beginning to think that a spray can of thread cuttng oil would do for my very amateur efforts. You've confirmed this, One book suggests that on a small lathe no cutting lubricant is necessary unless you're cutting a thread.

Lots to learn