Oh Blimey I bought a CNC Lathe !!!!

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awemawson:
I think I should perhaps point out that I cannot do any serious machining yet, as the machine hasn't had it's coolant tank filled. And I'm not going to fill the coolant up until I get the special 'liquid grease' that the Sauter Tool Turret has to be packed with - currently it is un-lubricated.

But the special grease is on back order - another 4-6 weeks :bang:

Molykote Longterm 00 Fluid Grease is what is specified, and no one seems to be able to come up with stock or an equivelent.

AdeV:
Looks like you're getting the hang of it though, and what a piece of kit!

If you want long-life soluble coolant, I cannot recommend this stuff enough: http://www.lubetechshop.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=25_51&products_id=249

I've had it in the sump of the Interact since I turned it on, mumbleteen months ago, and other than regular top-ups due to the fact the Bridgeport seems to have more holes in it that a sieve, and it's never gone weird or smelly on me.

awemawson:
Thanks Ade, yes I remember you mentioning it. I already have the coolant - it's 'Castrol Hysol Excel' which I have in my other machines - I bought another 20 litre drum of it when MSC had it on special offer. At 7% dilution it will take the entire 20 litres :bugeye:

I'm going to pump the old coolant from my Partsmaster along with a biocide, and use that to clean out the Traub by running it with the coolant circulating for a few hours. Then pump out and replace the fluid in both machines with new.

I've been experimenting with a 'Tramp Oil' remover - a belt dipping into the tank, and as it revolves the tramp oil tends to stick to it. As the belt comes 'over the top' a scraper removes the oil which then drips into a can. Seems to work quite well. I'll see if I can get the camera near it to do a video.

vtsteam:
Liquid grease eh? What will they think of next? Solid oil maybe! :)

If when you get it, it smells a lot like bacon, Andrew, I'd start asking some questions!

awemawson:
I've uploaded a video of the Tramp Oil skimmer working:

Here I'm removing the tramp oil from the Beaver Partsmaster CNC milling machine, before transferring the coolant to the Traub lathe to use it to clear out the lathe tank before putting new coolant in both machines.

Tramp Oil is mainly 'way lube' that is pressure fed to all sliding ways on the machine and is a 'total loss' system - so the oil finds it's way by gravity to the sump, where it floats on the soluble oil coolant. This is a 'bad thing' as it excludes air so unless the machine is in constant use stirring it up, it promotes anaerobic bacteria growth, bad smells and acidic coolant that becomes corrosive.

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