Wild Bill, I tried cutting identical 12L14 steel rods with and without
coolant. The finish quality was much better with coolant.

I also bored a pulley, something I coubt I could do without coolant
due to a tiny cutting tool tip that would otherwise overheat.

The coolant also does a superb job at not letting the lathe rust in
garage conditions.

I do want my lathe to look like an industrial machine and I do not
feel that it is wrong. I had this coolant in the lathe since January
and it lasted pretty much until now despite some neglect.

The question of what cutting fluid to use is a very good one and I do
not make any claims about what is best. But as of now I have no doubts
that the ability to use coolant is very helpful.

i