Changed my tune on using coolant for aluminum after a crash

I was running a batch of 6061 parts on a VF-2 last month and thought I could get away with air blast to keep things clean. The tool grabbed, snapped a half inch endmill, and wrecked the fixture. Now I always run flood coolant, even for simple jobs. Anyone else have a hard rule they learned the hard way?

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3 Comments

phoenixwalker7mo ago

That "learned the hard way" rule is everywhere. I see it with people skipping safety glasses for one quick cut or not backing up files before an update. It's always the simple job where you think you can cut a corner that bites you.

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ryanh567mo ago

Disagree, I've cut corners on small jobs for years without any issues.

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nina_jenkins6mo ago

Come on, it's not like the world ends over a small shortcut.

4