My first milled parts and milling lubricant questions

[lappyx86]

So we finally got our mill up and running after it was damaged in shipping. I have been doing training sessions with the company who made it and ran a few parts. They have ran pretty successfully after a few minor tweaks to the code. Anyway, we will be milling aluminum extrusion almost exclusively. Previously when we manually milled stuff we used something called AnchorLube http://anchorlube.com/anchorlube.html)Problem is, if we use it in a spray bottle it clogs the bottle. Sadly, my request for a flood/mist type system was denied on the original purchase because they thought it was unnecessary. So, anyone have suggestions for a spray bottle friendly lube that works well with aluminum?

Also, this is the first part I programmed and ran on the CNC mill (not the first attempt however, took about 2-3 attempts to straighten out some weirdness in the code VisualMill was producing)

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And yes, that wierd gash on the third picture is not meant to be there. We fixed that too, the zero command for a tool change was causing the tool to go plowing through the part unintentionally. It no longer does that. Also, if anyone is curious this is the machine we got and I am learning to use.

http://www.cncmasters.com/index.php?page=cnc-max

Nifty little thing. I know its not big iron like Doc loves, but its definitely a good way to get broken in.

[Simon]

A very simple but good solution for a spray bottle lube is simply WD40.

Buy the big cans and get a few of the manual spray bottles so you always still have one even when someone steals the other

It's cheap, works very well, and has other great uses too.

[Luke]

I use WD40 on my knee mill, works great on aluminium, just don't breath the smoke.
I buy it at Homedepot in the gallon container then apply it with a squirt bottle.

[BTAutoMag]

I got through a gallon of WD-40 a week. cudos to the lube gods

[lappyx86]

hmm. Interesting. I'll have to try that. This stuff we had here is absolutely disgusting.

[BTAutoMag]

yea head down to a hardware store and they usually have wd40 in gallon jugs and you can buy spray bottles for it. non of this aresol crap

[lappyx86]

yep, we'll be trying that monday at work.

[Luke]

I use it for tapping also, seems to work OK.