I am on the hunt for a flood coolant for the lathe and mill that will resist freezing. I added rv antifreeze to my saw last year without issue, but I can't do that on my machine tools. I do not want to have to sweat it if we go out of town for a week, and I really do not want to have to drain my tanks. Any ideas?
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Gunsmithing flood coolant?
- Thread starter hero's machine
- Start date
Re: flood coolant?
I was hoping for a secret sauce. I guess I can drain everything when we leave. We often get a sub zero spell and I fret another week without power if I am out of town.
I feel kind of proud to toss out a stumper in this crowd.
I was hoping for a secret sauce. I guess I can drain everything when we leave. We often get a sub zero spell and I fret another week without power if I am out of town.
I feel kind of proud to toss out a stumper in this crowd.
Re: flood coolant?
Go to an auto store and get one of those "block heaters" that attaches to your oil pan magnetically. They have low current draw and depending on the size of you your reservoir, should keep water-based coolants from freezing.
Go to an auto store and get one of those "block heaters" that attaches to your oil pan magnetically. They have low current draw and depending on the size of you your reservoir, should keep water-based coolants from freezing.
Re: flood coolant?
I think Im with Chad on that one. I hate being cold in my little work area. I bought a smaller Dayton heater that mounts to the ceiling and keeps the shop space toasty. Keep it on a T-stat.
Kc
I think Im with Chad on that one. I hate being cold in my little work area. I bought a smaller Dayton heater that mounts to the ceiling and keeps the shop space toasty. Keep it on a T-stat.
Kc
Re: flood coolant?
My shop is heated, but I do a lot of snowmobiling in the winter and am often away for days. I am only concerned about when I lose power. A few days at zero could be spensive'
My shop is heated, but I do a lot of snowmobiling in the winter and am often away for days. I am only concerned about when I lose power. A few days at zero could be spensive'
Re: flood coolant?
The block heater will work, but this is what I envision happening.
You'll plug it in as you leave for a week only to find when you get home your coolant sump resembles a 1950's B Horror movie scene cause the heater evaporated all the water from the sump and your left with this X files looking scale on the walls/floor of the tank.
When pushing the CNC's hard in the summer (even with the shop's AC set at 68) the temp of the water gets to around 90*F. I have to routinely/constantly add water to the sumps to keep things going smoothly.
A block heater will go at least to that temp.
Heat the shop and/or drain the sump. All you have to do is keep it above 32*F. You also might try contacting a tech at the coolant manufacturer. Maybe you can add a % of glycol to it without ruining it. My gut says no way, but who knows?
Good luck
The block heater will work, but this is what I envision happening.
You'll plug it in as you leave for a week only to find when you get home your coolant sump resembles a 1950's B Horror movie scene cause the heater evaporated all the water from the sump and your left with this X files looking scale on the walls/floor of the tank.
When pushing the CNC's hard in the summer (even with the shop's AC set at 68) the temp of the water gets to around 90*F. I have to routinely/constantly add water to the sumps to keep things going smoothly.
A block heater will go at least to that temp.
Heat the shop and/or drain the sump. All you have to do is keep it above 32*F. You also might try contacting a tech at the coolant manufacturer. Maybe you can add a % of glycol to it without ruining it. My gut says no way, but who knows?
Good luck
Re: flood coolant?
Why not build a little "Dog House" style box to put over the tank and heat it with a light bulb like a chicken coup?
Why not build a little "Dog House" style box to put over the tank and heat it with a light bulb like a chicken coup?
Re: flood coolant?
If you loose power quite often might look at a transfer switch. I got tired of being cold and without power. Put one in a couple years ago. I can run the pellet stove, TV, lights, Sat. Dish Coffee Maker.
If you loose power quite often might look at a transfer switch. I got tired of being cold and without power. Put one in a couple years ago. I can run the pellet stove, TV, lights, Sat. Dish Coffee Maker.
Re: flood coolant?
It would seem that a redundant generator system set up to feed power to heater blocks would be a potential option
Don't have the blocks heating on your shop power as that's what a heater and thermostat are for. But if the shop were to lose power, your generator would start up and have your sumps kept above freezing thanks to the heater blocks powered by said generator.
Just a shot in the dark idea.
- Brandon
It would seem that a redundant generator system set up to feed power to heater blocks would be a potential option
Don't have the blocks heating on your shop power as that's what a heater and thermostat are for. But if the shop were to lose power, your generator would start up and have your sumps kept above freezing thanks to the heater blocks powered by said generator.
Just a shot in the dark idea.
- Brandon
Re: flood coolant?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hero's machine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I guess I will look into a propane heater, that would solve it. </div></div>
If you loose power your still in the same boat. A stand-by generator would seem to be the only solution if your gone and the power goes out. It is a pricey solution.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hero's machine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I guess I will look into a propane heater, that would solve it. </div></div>
If you loose power your still in the same boat. A stand-by generator would seem to be the only solution if your gone and the power goes out. It is a pricey solution.
Re: flood coolant?
In thinking about it, a few block heaters for your sumps would be very low pull in terms of electricity. You might be able to get away with a very small redundant generator system.
You would have to make sure that you only place emergency equipment on the generator if you are going that route. No use powering unneeded equipment during a power outage.
Yes, much pricier than some of your other ideas. But potentially much cheaper than having your business lose power and have all your equipment locked in ice.
- Brandon
In thinking about it, a few block heaters for your sumps would be very low pull in terms of electricity. You might be able to get away with a very small redundant generator system.
You would have to make sure that you only place emergency equipment on the generator if you are going that route. No use powering unneeded equipment during a power outage.
Yes, much pricier than some of your other ideas. But potentially much cheaper than having your business lose power and have all your equipment locked in ice.
- Brandon
Re: flood coolant?
I have a diesel backup here, I just do not want to feed the monster for a week to run 1500 watts. I am thinking a 12v self ignited heater should do it. The thermostat is battery powered anyhow, and as long as I am not shoving a fan, a battery should last.....or, I could tap into my forklift battery, that sucker should run a inverter for a year.
I have a diesel backup here, I just do not want to feed the monster for a week to run 1500 watts. I am thinking a 12v self ignited heater should do it. The thermostat is battery powered anyhow, and as long as I am not shoving a fan, a battery should last.....or, I could tap into my forklift battery, that sucker should run a inverter for a year.
