Lloyd... Since you have the same coolant pump on your Bridgeport...

I noticed that the coolant flow is not quite what it used to be.

Do you think that the strainer on the pump needs periodic cleaning?

i

Ignoramus334 wrote:

Lloyd... Since you have the same coolant pump on your Bridgeport...

I noticed that the coolant flow is not quite what it used to be.

Do you think that the strainer on the pump needs periodic cleaning?

i

The coolant isn't slushing up in the cold, is it?

Ignoramus334 fired this volley in
:

I noticed that the coolant flow is not quite what it used to be.

Do you think that the strainer on the pump needs periodic cleaning?



I deliberately do NOT have a strainer on the inlet of my pump. There was
a wire "sock" around it, which I removed, for the reason that it's a
several-minutes procedure to undo all the mounting screws and lift the
pump out of the sump to clean it.

Instead, I have a "catch basket" over the main drain into the sump pan,
along with coarser screens ON the table at the two drain ramps (your
should have those ramp-like screen-mounting platforms and screw holes on
your table, too).

I use a wet/dry vacuum to clean off the screens, which sucks out the crap
from the side it went into the wire with, and gets them very clean
between parts.

I do find, from time to time, that a small chip will lodge in the little
quarter-turn valve I use to regulate the coolant flow. As soon as it
picks up one chip, it tends to collect more of them quickly, and rapidly
diminishes the flow. Simply opening it full-bore clears it out.

LLoyd

On 2011-01-19, Pete C. wrote:

Ignoramus334 wrote:

Lloyd... Since you have the same coolant pump on your Bridgeport...

I noticed that the coolant flow is not quite what it used to be.

Do you think that the strainer on the pump needs periodic cleaning?

i

The coolant isn't slushing up in the cold, is it?

No, not at all.

i

On Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:48:22 -0600, "Lloyd E. Sponenburgh"
lloydspinsidemindspring.com wrote:

Ignoramus334 fired this volley in
:

I noticed that the coolant flow is not quite what it used to be.

Do you think that the strainer on the pump needs periodic cleaning?



I deliberately do NOT have a strainer on the inlet of my pump. There was
a wire "sock" around it, which I removed, for the reason that it's a
several-minutes procedure to undo all the mounting screws and lift the
pump out of the sump to clean it.

Instead, I have a "catch basket" over the main drain into the sump pan,
along with coarser screens ON the table at the two drain ramps (your
should have those ramp-like screen-mounting platforms and screw holes on
your table, too).

I use a wet/dry vacuum to clean off the screens, which sucks out the crap
from the side it went into the wire with, and gets them very clean
between parts.

I do find, from time to time, that a small chip will lodge in the little
quarter-turn valve I use to regulate the coolant flow. As soon as it
picks up one chip, it tends to collect more of them quickly, and rapidly
diminishes the flow. Simply opening it full-bore clears it out.

LLoyd

I also use no pump screen and instead sreen the coolant going into the
sump. But that swarf has a way of getting EVERYWHERE. And one little
chip anywhere really slows it all down. I've got 3/4 hose up to the
manifold and then small nozzles right at the orifice. nearly always
its either in the manifold or the nozzle.

Once, I needed serious flow for a deep bore on my Mazak lathe and just
didn't have it. Taking the pump apart and cleaning, replacing the main
hose and cleaning the manifold and nozzles produced amazing results

Karl

Karl Townsend fired this volley in
:

Once, I needed serious flow for a deep bore on my Mazak lathe and just
didn't have it. Taking the pump apart and cleaning, replacing the main
hose and cleaning the manifold and nozzles produced amazing results

My pump (and Iggy's) has impeller passages about 3/8" square. All of my
screens are below 10-mesh, and my final screen at the sump drain is 14-
mesh.

There's nothing that small that can snag in the pump. It may make it
into the sump, but it just sits there - at best - or circulates - at
worst - to eventually clog up my manifold valve when I've got it set to a
mere dribble.

I don't walk away from my machine when it's running a part, so if the
coolant flow starts to sag, I just twitch the valve for a second, and
everything is back to normal. I'd say it happens - maybe - every four or
five hours of cutting time.

LLoyd

....
My pump (and Iggy's) has impeller passages about 3/8" square. All of my
screens are below 10-mesh, and my final screen at the sump drain is 14-
mesh.

There's nothing that small that can snag in the pump. It may make it
into the sump, but it just sits there - at best - or circulates - at
worst - to eventually clog up my manifold valve when I've got it set to a
mere dribble.

I don't walk away from my machine when it's running a part, so if the
coolant flow starts to sag, I just twitch the valve for a second, and
everything is back to normal. I'd say it happens - maybe - every four or
five hours of cutting time.

LLoyd


I've got similar screens. But my swarf is smarter than your swarf.
Mine can find ways around the screens. My swarf also knows how to get
inside a bolted tight enclosure on the machine. VBG

Karl

Just a little update on the coolant situation. The problem was that
debris such as milling chips, found its way to a steel tube with a 90
degree bend and lodged there, right in the bend.

They were very stuck in there.

You can see the tube in the middle on top of this picture.

http://igor.chudov.com/projects/Brid...tober-7820.jpg

Since this seems to be a regular occurrence, I bought a strainer at
McMaster-Carr, item 9875K413. This is an awesome deal at $15, it is
actually large and can clearly do a great job trapping chips. It is
also easy to clean and replacement screens are available, not that
they are needed. I got one with clear bowl, so I cal see the situation
inside.

i

Ignoramus27303 fired this volley in
:

Since this seems to be a regular occurrence, I bought a strainer at
McMaster-Carr, item 9875K413. This is an awesome deal at $15, it is
actually large and can clearly do a great job trapping chips. It is
also easy to clean and replacement screens are available, not that
they are needed. I got one with clear bowl, so I cal see the situation
inside.

It shouldn't be. No chips large enough to clog your lines should ever
get into the sump.

I have 10-mesh screens at both table drains, then another finer screen
(14 mesh) on the sump return. I have similar tee fittings, and have
never had a clog. If you keep the chip size under about 14-mesh, they
just aren't going to affect the system, except for the occasional bind-up
at a restricting valve, which you can remove by opening the valve full-
bore, then re-closing it. I chose rotary valves for the reason that when
they're open, they're full open, with no restriction to flow.

I think the strainer is nice, but wholly unnecessary.

LLoyd

"Ignoramus27303" wrote in message
...
Just a little update on the coolant situation. The problem was that
debris such as milling chips, found its way to a steel tube with a 90
degree bend and lodged there, right in the bend.

They were very stuck in there.

You can see the tube in the middle on top of this picture.

http://igor.chudov.com/projects/Brid...tober-7820.jpg

Since this seems to be a regular occurrence, I bought a strainer at
McMaster-Carr, item 9875K413. This is an awesome deal at $15, it is
actually large and can clearly do a great job trapping chips. It is
also easy to clean and replacement screens are available, not that
they are needed. I got one with clear bowl, so I cal see the situation
inside.


When adding makeup coolant to the sump make sure and turn the pump off
first--afterwards, let settle for 10 minutes or so before turning it back
on....

--

On 2011-02-02, Lloyd E. Sponenburgh lloydspinsidemindspring.com wrote:
Ignoramus27303 fired this volley in
:

Since this seems to be a regular occurrence, I bought a strainer at
McMaster-Carr, item 9875K413. This is an awesome deal at $15, it is
actually large and can clearly do a great job trapping chips. It is
also easy to clean and replacement screens are available, not that
they are needed. I got one with clear bowl, so I cal see the situation
inside.

It shouldn't be. No chips large enough to clog your lines should ever
get into the sump.

I have 10-mesh screens at both table drains, then another finer screen
(14 mesh) on the sump return. I have similar tee fittings, and have
never had a clog. If you keep the chip size under about 14-mesh, they
just aren't going to affect the system, except for the occasional bind-up
at a restricting valve, which you can remove by opening the valve full-
bore, then re-closing it. I chose rotary valves for the reason that when
they're open, they're full open, with no restriction to flow.

I think the strainer is nice, but wholly unnecessary.

I agree with your reasoning. I have no idea how those chils could have
entered the line.

1. There is a mesh where coolant re-enters the sump.
2. The pump itself has a mesh screen.
3. I cleaned the sump pretty well soon after I got the mill.

And yet, I got this elbow clogged!

So, I hope that the strainer will help.

i

On 2011-02-02, PrecisionmachinisT wrote:

"Ignoramus27303" wrote in message
...
Just a little update on the coolant situation. The problem was that
debris such as milling chips, found its way to a steel tube with a 90
degree bend and lodged there, right in the bend.

They were very stuck in there.

You can see the tube in the middle on top of this picture.

http://igor.chudov.com/projects/Brid...tober-7820.jpg

Since this seems to be a regular occurrence, I bought a strainer at
McMaster-Carr, item 9875K413. This is an awesome deal at $15, it is
actually large and can clearly do a great job trapping chips. It is
also easy to clean and replacement screens are available, not that
they are needed. I got one with clear bowl, so I cal see the situation
inside.


When adding makeup coolant to the sump make sure and turn the pump off
first--afterwards, let settle for 10 minutes or so before turning it back
on....


I think that you got it! It happened exactly as you said, I added make
up water, and the elbow clogged shortly thereafter!

i

"Ignoramus27303" wrote in message
...
On 2011-02-02, PrecisionmachinisT wrote:

"Ignoramus27303" wrote in message
...
Just a little update on the coolant situation. The problem was that
debris such as milling chips, found its way to a steel tube with a 90
degree bend and lodged there, right in the bend.

They were very stuck in there.

You can see the tube in the middle on top of this picture.

http://igor.chudov.com/projects/Brid...tober-7820.jpg

Since this seems to be a regular occurrence, I bought a strainer at
McMaster-Carr, item 9875K413. This is an awesome deal at $15, it is
actually large and can clearly do a great job trapping chips. It is
also easy to clean and replacement screens are available, not that
they are needed. I got one with clear bowl, so I cal see the situation
inside.


When adding makeup coolant to the sump make sure and turn the pump off
first--afterwards, let settle for 10 minutes or so before turning it back
on....


I think that you got it! It happened exactly as you said, I added make
up water, and the elbow clogged shortly thereafter!



Doh !!!

--