This is my first of hopefully lots of posts here as I learned the limited knowledge I do have mostly from CNCzone.
I researched building my own CNC for a year before I built myfirst of MDF, a gantry machine.
This did some awesome work
But now that I have proved to myself that the heavily researched project isn't a complete failure I built an aluminum one that's way more accurate.
Now I decided to get rid of the long ugly cooling lines and move the cooling to the Z trolley, with pc radiators and pump.
Now that I've moved to this new cooling system I have to ask what to cool it with as it is in a shop that freezes every night in the winter? I work seasonal construction in Minnesota and am coming into the heavy hours and won't have but weekends to mess around with it. I have used RV antifreeze up to this point but am afraid that the long times uncirculated it will get sticky in the spindle as it utilizes mostly sugar from what I understand to keep from freezing. Can I use regular car antifreeze or will this eat up the aluminum and or plastic pump and rubber tubing? If I can use car antifreeze should I use red or green? will it be ok in the machine for months if by chance I don't get around to playing with it all summer God forbid.
Another question what can I do with the old wood one that's not as accurate? Can I sell it? its not perfect by any means.
I recently purchased a TIG welder with a water cooled torch. Everyone told me to NOT use antifreeze for a car. The welding stores sell an antifreeze that is recommended for TIG torches without the "sealant" chemicals. It is pretty pricey (about $25-$30) per gallon and you can dilute it with distilled water but the ratio is not very high. As I remember the ratio is like 1/2 gallon of distilled water to two gallons of antifreeze. If you want to install a filter in the line here is a link to a TIG filter:
I don't know anything about it but, there is also antifreeze for windshield washers. Windshield washers have tiny holes so there is nothing to clog holes.
You need Dow frost. Works for everything (in fact the welding supply companies sell it under a rebranded name). Stuff never causes problems and I believe is used in food packaging plants as well.
Best coolant for radiators.
Reply with Quote
