These results demonstrate the practical reasons for using cutting
lubricants.. they reduce the amount of power required to cut metal.
Regular oils won't accomplish the same increase in cutting performance.

An additional benefit is reduced dulling of the sharp cutting tool edges. By
increasing cutting tool performance, the wear on the cutting edges is
reduced.

Seeing the improvement in surface finish is visible evidence that the
cutting lubricant is enhancing the cutting action taking place.

There is the same improvement whether the machine's motor is rated 400W or
4HP.

Not having the machine's protection circuit activate is another indication
that the edge of the cutting tool is performing better than it had been
without a cutting lube.
One doesn't need to utilize a pump and recovery system for cutting
lubricants.. just dribbling or brushing a small amount of lube in the
cutting path area is all that's required in most cases.

I've previously mentioned a great product I discovered only because a friend
gave me a bottle of it.. Lenox ProTool Lube. The PTL product is much cleaner
to use than thick sulfur oils.. it washes off with water, which means that
clearing a tapped hole can be done with a trigger spray bottle of water.
PTL doesn't contain any silicones, so it doesn't affect any paint or other
coatings which may be applied after it's use. I generally just wipe down
parts with lacquer thinner or a naptha solvent prior to applying primer and
paint.

I routinely use PTL for any metal cutting application, and apply it with
lab-type washdown bottles, which is much more convenient than typical bottle
application, because the washdown bottle has a long plastic tip to put the
liquid right where it's needed.
Small cheap natural bristle brushes also work well for applying a cutting
lube.

The only unexpected property I discovered is that PTL will soften the low
grade paint products on Chinese machines.. it doesn't have this effect on
other cured paint products IME.

--
WB
..........


"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
...
A buddy of mine brought over some bending dies and asked me to change their
shape and size on the lathe. He also brought a brand new can of Tap Magic
as a gift for helping him out. The bending dies were very hard, and I
tried both oil and the Tap Magic. We went with the TM if for no other
reason than it smelled better.

Yesterday I was making a stepped shoulder pin with a head out of a bolt
for an special application. I was using the mini lathe just because I
finally got it into tolerable condition. I made a rough pass that stalled
the lathe and tripped off the over load. I reset it, put a couple drops
of tap magic on the work piece, and tried the pass again at the exact same
DOC, feed, RPM, etc. The cutter not only breezed right through it, but it
looked really good.

I think the jury is still out for tapping aluminum, but time will tell. I
have used it to tap some 10 32 holes nearly the full length of the cutting
portion of the tap, but I don't have that many holes on this tap yet.

Anyway, to whoever suggested Tap Magic. Thank you. I was planning on
ordering some sooner or later to try, and to my buddy who brought me a
can... a BIG THANK YOU. I now also know its available locally. Makes
getting more easier.