I keep seeing new guys skip the coolant check on aluminum jobs

At my shop in Tacoma, I watched a trainee run a 2 hour job on 6061 without even looking at the sump. The tool got so hot it welded chips to the flutes and snapped. My foreman said 'that insert cost more than your lunch, kid.' I always dip a finger in the tank now before hitting cycle start. How do you guys make sure your coolant mix is right for different materials?

3 comments

3 Comments

tessaperry17d ago

Seen that exact thing happen with a new guy on some stainless. He just assumed the auto-fill was working and smoked a brand new end mill. Now I keep a refractometer right on the cart. Makes it a habit you can't ignore.

lucast8117d ago

Yeah, keeping the refractometer right there is the only way to make the habit stick.

colescott16d ago

Man, I used to think that was overkill. Like, just check it when you mix up a new batch, right? But then I saw a coolant sump go totally rancid because everyone kept forgetting. Honestly, having it right there on the cart is a game changer. It just becomes part of the routine and you stop having those stupid little failures.