The Two Main Types of Band Saw Coolant

Band saw coolant plays an important role in the cutting process. As the name suggests, band saw coolant helps distribute heat away from the immediate cutting surfaces of the blade and the material being worked on. Furthermore, band saw coolant serves an extremely important lubricating function. It helps reduce friction between the surfaces, reducing blade judder, vibration and, ultimately inaccuracy.

 

Band saw coolant comes in a number of forms, including liquids and pastes; and whatever your cutting need there is a variant that is suitable for it.

 

Another important function of band saw coolant is to ‘wash away’ swarf, chips and filings that are generated during the machining operation. Given these factors, band saw coolant is an extremely important constituent of the cutting process. However, there is not one single band saw coolant that can effectively service all types of cutting and machining operations.

 

In this piece we are focusing on two of the major forms of band saw coolant. Each has its relative benefits and is suitable for different operations.

 

Spray mist- A type of band saw coolant that is used in more heavy duty applications such as shearing, cold forming and milling. Spray mist is, therefore, a very versatile fluid, one that can be used in a number of applications. It is a relatively viscous fluid, and as a result is preferred for near dry machining. Industrial Bandsaw Services can retrofit this type of unit to all band saw machines and brands with a variety of specialty mist applicating nozzles to choose from.

 

Concentrated liquid – Band saw coolant concentrate is an extremely popular type. There are many types of coolants too, suited for various metals, cutting and individual applications. As the name suggests, this concentrated liquid has to be diluted with tap water. Typically, one starts off with 1 part of coolant to 20 parts of water, but the ratio is adjusted depending on the application. Concentrated liquid offers a number of advantages. Not least, it is low misting, it is highly transparent allowing operators to monitor the cutting process, and it allows chips and filings to settle quickly.