Cheap Cutting Fluid for Aluminum

December 15th, 2011

Hope it Works

I learned something interesting the other day. You can use diesel for cutting and tapping aluminum. I haven’t tried it yet, but a machinist recommended it to me, and I’ve seen it elsewhere on the web.

I’m mentioning it because a lot of people recommend WD40, which costs over $14 per gallon. I just got a fuel-safe container plus a gallon of diesel for about $11.

I will post my observations after I try it.

Posted in Tools | 7 Comments »

7 Responses to “Cheap Cutting Fluid for Aluminum”

  1. Sigivald Says:
    December 15th, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    Might try kerosene.

    Same base oil, no automotive additive package, no fuel tax.

  2. Steve H. Says:
    December 15th, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    WD40 is a wonderful thing to have around, so I will probably never give it up completely, but everyone claims it’s mostly kerosene, and I think it’s dumb to use it for machining. As for diesel, I was told it’s actually superior to WD40, not only for cutting, but for tapping.

  3. onmilo Says:
    December 17th, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    itwfpg.com
    Steve look these guys up on the net.
    They make a metal cutting fluid called Ultracut Green and another called Ultracut Green CF
    These are biodegradable, water soluable, and mixed @ 20:1 for the medium cutting you are doing so they are much more cost efficient.
    They are also a heck of a lot safer than Diesel in a cutting operation.HTH

  4. Steve H. Says:
    December 17th, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    The diesel worked beautifully–better than WD40, I think–and I can get it for less than $3.50 a gallon, without paying for shipping. What’s dangerous about it?

  5. onmilo Says:
    December 21st, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    The fumes from raw diesel aren’t good for your lungs and when used as a cutting fluid it vaporizes which will make that little issue even worse since you can breathe the fluid directly into your lungs.
    I use diesel as a cleaning solvent, but only out of doors. HTH

  6. Steve H. Says:
    December 21st, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Somebody gave me a link to an MSDS for diesel. I don’t know if I’m inhaling enough to matter, but I suppose it could be a problem. Thanks for the heads-up.
    .
    The main issue I’ve had with it is the lingering smell that finds its way into the house.
    .
    Now, kerosene…

  7. Bill Says:
    May 20th, 2012 at 1:18 AM

    I used to use floor wax years ago when it contained real wax. Now it’s hard to find as most floor “waxes” are acrylic. I’ve also used Armor All liquid protectant for vinyl.