Hey all, I've heard that dowfrost can be replaced with regular old anti-freeze, if changede regularly. have any of you tried or heard of this. What are some of the draw backs if you have?

Thanks,

Mark

Not recomended, here is a link to last time this came up.


http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26853

mad mark--
DO NOT use anti-freeze in the Cool Power system. Number 1, the system is calibrated for the DOW Frost and will not react as it should for temp control with anti-freeze. Number 2, Anti-freeze will clog up the system and ruin seals. Number 3, If your machine is under warrenty, you just threw the warrenty out the window!

Neal

Why do you need to add or change the coolant? A properly operating system is closed loop and should not need replacing and rarely needs coolant added. I have never needed to add DF to my machines except when the "Certified FADAL Repair Technician" forgot to connect a coolant line after servicing the spindle.

Good luck getting any Dow Frost I have been given the runaround for aover a year by Fadal on it they replaced a y axis seal unit that was leaking. the tech put lines together and ordered the part. He replaced the seal unit , did not order any dow frost cant get it some B.S. about shipping it. so my machine is running with only about 1/3 of a tank.
If your in the Midwest good luck getting Fadal service from Integra they lie and string you along beyond belief !!! When it was G&L out of Wisconsin service was great, then it went back to Cali. which I thought was bad!! It really sucks now. I most likely will not buy another Fadal because of this service issue not because of the machines.

I purchase Dow Frost from my local oil distributer. They seem to have it in stock, or at least close by the few times I needed some.

Dowfrost is just a tradename for propylene glycol antifreeze. It is used widely in the food processing industry as a heat transfer liquid in chillers. You should be able to get it from a variety of suppliers.

Anyone checked the MSDS on Dowfrost???

http://www.sciencelab.com/xMSDS-Dowfrost-9925835

Regular antifreeze is ethylene glycol, Dowfrost is propylene glycol, with potassium phosphate dibasis (which leaves your hands feeling springtime fresh).

I don't think that Fadal is actually making a killing on profits from Dowfrost sales here........

Maybe I am missing the point, but why would you even think of compromising the engineered system of a $50,000 - $100,000 machine tool to save less than $100?
I'm not looking to start an argument, but I fail to see the logic.

Respectfully,
James Winn

I agree with James.

You should be able to get DowFrost from your local FADAL rep. If yours is like ours which it sounds like they are, call FADAL directly and request the parts department and explain that your local rep won't, can't or whatever get you the parts you need. They (FADAL) should help you. If they give you crap talk to Pat Grantz @ (818) 678-2248. He was the head of the parts department as of the fall of '06. The way things are going at FADAL he may not be there.

I have found a place in the Boise, Idaho area that sells FADAL parts to anyone. They seem to be reasonable and have a fair selection of older FADAL parts in stock. Check out www.FadalCNC.com if you cannot get anywhere with FADAL.

I use Golden West Lubricants 800-540-LUBE
They carry Dow Frost in 5 gallon and 55 gallon drum.

We just picked up some dowfrost at Star Metal fluids in Phoenix http://www.metalfluids.com/ .

We found out our Y axis seal on our 6030 is bad, anyone have any idea how much this will be to fix?

Thanks,

If your seal is gone I would take a close look at the bearings as well.

Yes

Once a seal is gone the dowfrost doesn't take long to ruin the bearings.
The bearings are inexpensive anyway - if you know where to get them