I'm wanting to make an air compressed system for my mill to keep the chips from clogging. I have the loc line and tips, just need an idea of what kind of air compressor or whatever to use?



Any suggestions ?


Thanks

Chris

Chris, Keep in mind I'm prejudiced toward this type of system, not necessarily this brand. Check this out but go over the whole thing. www.unist.com
I'm NOT a proponent of the regular mist type systems, just the "near dry" type.

When set-up properly, they take a few seconds to even dampen a piece of white paper enough to darken the surface. The "coolant" is a bio-degradeable vegetable based oil. I usually set it up for a higher air flow to blow the chips out but not high enough to scatter them all over the place. I personally believe the oil is a lube and the air is the coolant. Also, I usually use more than 1 air line at the tool.

There are multiple suppliers of this type of system besides Unist such as Trico and I read about "Fog Buster" here on the Zone.

As mentioned above, I am not a dealer, salesperson or ? but I do like them.

Thank you for the link.

I'm thinking of maybe just an air compressor, just something to blow the chips. Maybe walmart, lowes, home depot.

Any suggestions?

air alone wont prevent cloging in aluminium

I've used an air compressor can (dust sprayer) to remove the chips that clog while milling. So I thought maybe if I got something like an air compressor, that might save me some money$$ (cans being $5.00 dollars each). I've read others using this method, keeping those chips out of the way.

An air compressor is a must for any shop.
you'll find it useful for more than just blowing out chips.
Get as big a tank as you can afford, (less times the compressor has to come on to refill it)
I found a little portable 15 gal at BigLots for $99, There's a store in Naples.Sears (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&pid=00916724000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Air+Compressors+%26+Inflators&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes) has one for $180.
Works great for keeping the mill chip free.
I have a big 80 gallon too for big jobs like painting etc. but prefer the little guy most of the time.
Later, Hoss

I've actually got an 80 gallon as well, tank tied to a 40 gal.. the 80 is a 17cfm 220 unit and the 40 is a 5cfm 110.. i have the pressure switches staggered so that the 110 unit comes on first, so that way if i'm just using a little air, the 110 cycles, and if i pull out the 1"drive impact, then they both come on (when tank pressures drop due to lots of usage) the sand blaster, impact, and da sanders and die grinders are the only things that use enough air to turn the big compresser on.. most of the time just the 110 is all that runs...sure does cut down on noise in the shop..

twocik, I'd still add the "lube". Aluminum loves to stick to the cutting tools.

Thanks alot guys, I'm on my way as we speak!!! :rainfro:


I've bought the loc line, is there any other attachment pieces I'll need?


I was told I could use WD40 to help the aluminum from sticking, and keep my feedrate and plungerate at low speeds? Eventually I'd like to use a coolant system, but at the moment I can't really afford it (money or time to make another milling enclosure).

Thanks alot guys, I'm on my way as we speak!!! :rainfro:


I've bought the loc line, is there any other attachment pieces I'll need?


I was told I could use WD40 to help the aluminum from sticking, and keep my feedrate and plungerate at low speeds? Eventually I'd like to use a coolant system, but at the moment I can't really afford it (money or time to make another milling enclosure). WD40 (I have Duck Oil but I don't think there's any Duck in it!) Works champion for me :rainfro: With compressed air and flood coolant covers all bases...I must investigate the idea of mist though as it's sounds good....And there's an old space-heater in the shed which has it's own compressor on a ¼HP motor that draws the diesel and sprays a mist :idea:

I have not set up mine yet but I got the idea off this site.

His setup is at the bottom.


http://www.cuttingedgecnc.com/cncsetup.htm




I have a pump I bought at walmart for around $15 to $20 and a loc line for $7 I forget exactly how much I paid but it was close.

All I need to do to get it up and running is make a bracket for the mill head and some connectors for the hose to loc line.......

The poor mans blower system.

I have read somewhere that WD-40 is not the best thing to use.

Although it does lubricate. Its main function is as water displacement. Thus the name.


The issue is.......


The problem is that WD-40 acts as a solvent to grease and oils and if it gets into bearings/grease fittengs etc. that can be bad.

I've heard that as well, but something is better than nothing.. what about air tool oil?

I use cutting oil although it is a bit thick and sticky.

I have heard of kaerosene being used as well.

I suppose you could thing cutting oil somehow....

Maybe someone else has some suggestions.

Cutting oils are normally not used for aluminum.

Many people use wd40 for aluminum. I use it all the time for quick jobs when it's not worth bothering with my fogbuster. It's dirt cheap and easy to use in a spray can. I hate the smell of it though.

Some people even use ethyl( ethanol,not methanol!) alcohol on aluminum. That does work real well but it is sort of expensive and tends to promote rust from my limited experience with it. It's main benefit is no slimy mess to cleanup.

A system like the fogbuster with a synthetic coolant mixed with water, either purchased or homemade will work wonders for longer duration jobs.
Just my .02

Steve

I have read somewhere that WD-40 is not the best thing to use.

Although it does lubricate. Its main function is as water displacement. Thus the name.


The issue is.......


The problem is that WD-40 acts as a solvent to grease and oils and if it gets into bearings/grease fittengs etc. that can be bad. I usually give whatever I'm hacking a good spray...Point taken on the solvent issue...I've noticed that WD/Duck oil or whatever all attract moisture after a while...It may be of interest that the old WD40 cans had Hardraw Force on the adverts....The location used in Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves...Waterfall! Although I personally don't think Robin Hood would have been so far north as to get into Wensleydale...And Sherwood Forest is is Mansfield lol