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Hot take: I thought coolant concentration didn't matter that much
My boss made me track tool life on a specific aluminum job for a month. After bumping the mix from 5% to 8%, the end mills lasted almost 30% longer. Anyone have a different sweet spot for 6061?
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blair_davis501mo ago
You really needed a month of data to figure that out? Coolant is just water and oil, it's not magic. I run 7% on most stuff and it's fine, chasing the perfect mix seems like a waste of time.
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angela_knight1mo ago
Your 7% mix works fine on aluminum, but what about cast iron or older machines? Coolant breakdown can cause real issues with tramp oils and bacteria over time. That's why some shops bother testing beyond just the basic mix.
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