Thread: hares & forbes coolant pumps?

Regarding the pumps, my apologies. About three years ago the pumps selling then were two x 240 and one x 415vac as I described. I saw the three types in a supply shop the other day and assumed they were the same. They may heve been older stock. Anyway, the pumps in the 2011 First Edition H&F catalogue look the same as they were, so I believe the intake into the impeller is on the top of the housing and therefore, the actual submerged depth is 25mm less than advertised.

Regarding the size of the tank, with a maximum heigt of coolant above the pump inlet of 100mm, my 370mm long by 250mm wide tank could only provide 9.25 litres regardless of the actual depth of the tank. So even if the actual effective output of the pump were only 50% of rating, my tank would drain to below inlet within one minute at full flow unless the drainage was excellent. Of course if you don't need max flow to wash shavings way from the tool, 9 litres may be enough.

A plastic tank would be cheap (~$20) and you could experiment with the size of the tank that would suit you. The pump would need to be mounted on a firm support (6.5kg would be too heavy for a thin plastic lid); the pump screwed to two wooden planks, one each side of the pump stem) and those sitting on the lid would be fine. Use wood not particle board/MDF.

By the way, the correct concentration of coolant is important to avoid rust. The use of a refractometer allows you to check that evaporation or added water has not varied the concentration very much. I notice that H&F are selling one for $198. Tormach in the US are selling the very same model for US$58. I have just purchased one and the shipping via United States Postal Service (USPS) cost me US$18. A total of about AUS$84... 42% of H&F. If you are interested send an email to [email protected] asking for a quote and shipping via USPS and askinfg for instructions of how you arrange for USPS shipping as you order on-line (www.tormach.com). And no I don't work for them either.

Regarding the coolant, I paid $45 for 5 litre container. At recommended concentration of 5% it will last me a long time. I don't use coolant all the time. Reading the label just now I note they recommend avoid contact with the skin. It hasn't worried me so far. Their website should have a safety sheet; I think all companies have to prodcue one for each of their products... a Material Safety Data Sheet MSDS I think they are called.
Bevin