spindle coolant

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Gearhead123
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Oct 07, 2023 5:22 pm

spindle coolant

Post by Gearhead123 »

I just inherited a old Shark CNC, HD3 I believe, and it has the spindle motor instead of a router. The coolant lines run to a bucket with a small pump. What cooling liquid would you recommend and at what flow? Water, distilled water, ethylene glycol?

Poptime
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2022 12:47 pm

Re: spindle coolant

Post by Poptime »

Distilled water is probably the most suitable. It must be maintained regularly. I use Propylene Glycol Inhibited in my chiller since my shop could be subject to freezing temp on occasion.

Gearhead123
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Oct 07, 2023 5:22 pm

Re: spindle coolant

Post by Gearhead123 »

Thank you! I'll try the distilled water.

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Bob
Posts: 1269
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 3:35 pm

Re: spindle coolant

Post by Bob »

I use RV Antifreeze (Propylene Glycol) in my spindle. It is made with pink dye in it to indicate that it's relatively nontoxic. RV Antifreeze is recommended by the manufacturer. I don't need to thin it with water. It is ready to use directly from the bottle.
Bob
"Focus"
Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek (Developer of the microscope.)

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gmm50
Posts: 48
Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 5:22 pm

Re: spindle coolant

Post by gmm50 »

We are a heavy user. We have 4,000 hours on our spindle. We are located in 88049 New Mexico, 6000 ft. Temp of highs in the 100+F in the summer and lows of 10-20 in the winter

We added a temp controlled cooling unit because we make 4 to 6 hour runs. Unattended.

We selected distilled water and antifreeze 50/50 as the coolant mix.

The equipment is in an unheated, uninsulated building.

This all works quite well and I feel we have some margin for temp extremes.

George
George

mtlakejim
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2023 11:15 pm

Re: spindle coolant

Post by mtlakejim »

Has anyone heard if they are going to offer a water cooled spindle for the RS 1000pro router system?? Seems like the logical next step in router table evolution to me. My Bosch motor works but really isn't DESIGNED to work UNDER a table inside of a dust collection box at that!!

In fact, I can see a lot of people retrofitting their tables and lifts if someone would make a proper sized motor that will fit current market of lifts!!

Zeph
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2022 2:37 pm

Re: spindle coolant

Post by Zeph »

I build custom cooling loop computers which are very similar to the eCool system. I've found that distilled water with a mix (up to 50/50) of RV antifreeze works well. You can also purchase a coil of colloidal silver (a natural antibiotic) from computer suppliers like NewEgg and drop it into the reservoir - that will keep your system bacteria free for much longer. I'd recommend a drain/flush/refill annually anyway.

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Bob
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Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 3:35 pm

Re: spindle coolant

Post by Bob »

Zeph,
Is there a reliable pump/reservoir that you can recommend? There seems to be a whole bunch available with a wide price range, and it's hard to choose.
Thankyou,
Bob
"Focus"
Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek (Developer of the microscope.)

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