Coolant Tank Choices?

[kevperro]

I'm going to copy the one from the Tormach web site. It looks like I need to buy a coolant tank, pump etc... I was going to use the one from the Grizzly web site.

http://www.grizzley.com/products/7-G...k-System/H8140


It looks as complete as any I've seen and the price is reasonable. Any input on different systems or choices is welcome.

[skullworks]

I bought an Enco Model 296-2060 to use on my X3 conversion.



I get the "Hot Deals" sales fliers in the mail and bought it on sale with free shipping to my door for $115.95

For other small table top users - check out Model 296-2030

Edit: The Enco has a SERIOUSLY higher output pump which will help getting the coolant up and over the Tormach head.

[BlueFin]

Originally Posted by skullworks The Enco has a SERIOUSLY higher output pump which will help getting the coolant up and over the Tormach head.

That is a concern of mine, but I don't see the specs for GPM (GPH), do you know what it puts out?

[skullworks]

I honestly don't know.

I put the pump in a bucket and flipped the switch for a few seconds. It shot a large stream across the yard and the bucket was empty almost instantly. Now by the time you add inline filters, manifold blocks and other plumbing it will choke down the performance.

BTW This pump looks Identical to the units supplied on early Haas mills ( The "Tupperware" models ), except it has a switch on the pump.

[kevperro]

I agree there isn't a lot of data on the Grizzly pump. I like the 3 gallon Enco because it would be easier to pull for cleaning. I've seen tanks as small as 1 gallon and the upper size for this type of machine is about 10 gallons. I assume you have to keep a steady flow of coolant and I could see a situation where the 1 gallon might get low easily, starving the pump.

I think I'll go with the 3 gallon Enco.

[Cruiser]

Going with such a small tank can be detrimental to productivity. Pump three gallons into machine and see how fast it can return to tank. Consider chips piled up around the drain screen. Also how much coolant can your pan hold. I use a 55 gal barrel on side with a large hole to hold a bucket with cheesed bottom and screen as secondary chip catcher, so far i find no chips in it. When running a job, my chip pan soon begins to fill up but as it does the head pressure builds on the return so that most of the time it keeps up with the pump. The pump i use is from harbor freight and is an impeller pump not a membrane pump and it can really put out flow. If I'd gone any smaller I'd run out during the run and cook the tool. you need to consider the hold inside machine, chip interference to drain, as well getting the coolant to tool. Any less than my 50 and I'd have problems. I get enough to cool tool and clear chips out of pockets for tool and keeps most of the chips off top of work area. One or three gal tank would be fine if you used air and a mister type nozzle but it isn't as universal as lots of flow.

[kevperro]

Originally Posted by Cruiser Going with such a small tank can be detrimental to productivity. Pump three gallons into machine and see how fast it can return to tank. Consider chips piled up around the drain screen. Also how much coolant can your pan hold. I use a 55 gal barrel on side with a large hole to hold a bucket with cheesed bottom and screen as secondary chip catcher, so far i find no chips in it. When running a job, my chip pan soon begins to fill up but as it does the head pressure builds on the return so that most of the time it keeps up with the pump. The pump i use is from harbor freight and is an impeller pump not a membrane pump and it can really put out flow. If I'd gone any smaller I'd run out during the run and cook the tool. you need to consider the hold inside machine, chip interference to drain, as well getting the coolant to tool. Any less than my 50 and I'd have problems. I get enough to cool tool and clear chips out of pockets for tool and keeps most of the chips off top of work area. One or three gal tank would be fine if you used air and a mister type nozzle but it isn't as universal as lots of flow.

Thank you.... and noted. Ok... I'm not in a production environment. It is short run and prototype work. I like the idea of the extra bucket under the collection point with the cheesecloth. I assume that acts to collect tramp oil and fine particulate?

I'm building my entire stand and coolant collection and return so I have the freedom to do whatever I want. I like the idea of a easy to clean wire trap for shavings on the top. I also like the idea of a smaller bucket under that return with the cheese cloth and perhaps another wire trap. Then finally return that to maybe a 10 gallon tank with the pump. Make the bucket easily removable for cleaning and replacement of the cheese cloth. Keep the 10 gallon tank clean enough that it only rarely requires removal and cleaning.

[Cruiser]

By cheesed i meant the bottom was drilled with lots of holes then covered by a screen. inside my machine i have two drains with a screen wrap of two or three layers held in place by some air cleaner covers from my motorcycle. The bottom of my chip pan is quite large and deep enough to hold most if not all of the 50+ gals of coolant. i kinda wish i'd been able to incorporate some draft to the bottom of pan to facilitate faster draining, but it didn't workout that way. Your 10 gal tank may be fine especially if you reduce nipple size for spray, My nipples (two) have 1/4" outlet and make for a healthy stream to the tool. I found that the finer nipples needed too much adjusting than the large flow ones. Keeping the tank as close as possible to the drain or drains will help loads in the return and design something that will block the chips from blocking the drain ! Good luck !

[kevperro]

Originally Posted by highspeedmazak Hey I have been useing a little giant salt water fish tank pump for a year now and it is rebuildable, chemical proof and man gph you can choose mine will run 4 large coolant lines strong.

Hey... that sounds like it would be within my budget. :-)

[skullworks]

I went with the 10gal tank for a small X3, for a Tormach I figure it would be perfect.

As stated above it doesn't take many chips to build up and act as a sponge, and I'm talking about during a single part cycle. Having extra volume is good. If you find you don't need the extra capacity you can always fill up some ziploc plastic containers with straight water and put them in the tank to reduce coolant volume without reducing coolant level.

I used a CNC Knee mill with a 6gal tank and a 3ph coolant pump and it was just barely adequate for the machine.

Edit: I would use the 3 gal Enco on a small surface grinder.

[zephyr9900]

Originally Posted by Cruiser I use a 55 gal barrel on side with a large hole to hold a bucket with cheesed bottom and screen as secondary chip catcher, so far i find no chips in it.

I want to see a picture of that, Cruiser! I would like to make a larger tank for my Tormach but I'm finding the usable height is limited by needing to keep a decent slope in the drain line from the chip strainer. I've been leaning towards a chunk of PVC pipe (18" diameter) and gluing on ends and baffles... The Tormach steel tank is not well made, and coolant leaks around the baffle that is supposed to keep the floating tramp oil in the "input" end of the tank, so the whole thing tends to gum up with a congealed mess...

Best regards,

Randy

[Cruiser]

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...t=68404&page=2

This link will show a few pics already posted, i don't have any better at this time