Got called out for my coolant mix being too weak on a tough 316 stainless job

I was running a long slotting job on some 316, and the finish was just awful, lots of built-up edge. The old timer who runs the big horizontal mill walked by and said, 'Kid, your coolant looks like weak tea. That steel will eat your tools.' I was using about a 6% mix because I thought it saved money. I bumped it up to a full 10% like he said, and the next part came off clean with no chatter. How do you guys figure out the right mix for different materials?

2 comments

2 Comments

kevin_roberts413d ago

Watched a guy try to machine titanium with straight water once, the smoke was impressive.

hunt.jana3d ago

Man, that old timer saved you a ton of headache. I saw a guy blow up a brand new face mill on duplex stainless because his sump was basically colored water. He was so focused on toolpath and feeds he forgot the basics. The right mix isn't a suggestion, it's part of the cut. For 316? You want that coolant strong and mean.