From the course: Introduction to Mill and Lathe Operation

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Coolant

Coolant

- Before you start cutting anything, you'll need to seriously consider how to cool the part and the tool as the cutting is happening. If you do not properly cool the part as it's being cut, several bad things can happen. It can cause distortions on the part or warping. You may lose the temper on the tool, causing it to wear out or even melt, and depending upon the material of the tool, it could even explode. As you can see, making sure that the tools and the part remain cool while the machining is happening is critical. Now, there are several factors to consider when selecting the coolant type. First, what are the materials that you're dealing with? There are various types of coolants specifically made for the different materials of your tools and workpiece. Second, coolants have differing viscosities and PH values which will affect the overall performance of the cooling. Some coolants are oil-based, and some are water-based. There are natural and synthetics as well. Third, if you…

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