andrew916•2mo agoProlific Poster

Just realized everyone at my shop is scared of running a 4th axis dry

We got a new rotary table for our mill last month, and all the other guys keep saying you need coolant on it constantly or it'll seize. I ran a whole batch of 50 aluminum brackets yesterday with the 4th axis dry, just a light oil wipe, and it ran smoother and cleaner. The coolant was just making a mess and washing away the lube. Has anyone else tried this on longer jobs, or am I just lucky so far?

3 comments

3 Comments

wright.drew2mo ago

Yeah, dry with a wipe down is the move for aluminum on a rotary. Coolant just gums it up and washes the good lube out. Ran a 3-day job like that, no issues.

wesley8012mo ago

Honestly, dry aluminum on a rotary can still cause some nasty built-up heat over three days.

the_sean1mo ago

So you guys just run the thing dry for three days straight? That sounds like a great way to test your shop's smoke alarm.