I just realized something about my coolant mixing habits.

For years, I've been adding coolant to water without measuring. A part with a rough finish made me check with a refractometer. The mix was too weak, and I think it's been causing extra tool wear. Do you use tools to keep your coolant right?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_viola1mo ago

Wait, you mentioned a refractometer, so you have the tool now. How often are you actually using it to check the mix? I messed up for ages by just eyeballing it too, and it totally wrecked some inserts before I figured it out. That weak mix doesn't lube right at all, it's basically just colored water. Are you checking it like once a week or just after you top it off?

the_nina1mo ago

Seriously? I mean, I get it but checking every week seems like overkill. Some guys at my shop check like once a month and their machines run fine. Maybe it's not as big a deal as everyone says.

joseph_fisher951mo ago

Man, my own mixing habits were a DISASTER before I got that tool. My eyeball measurements had the consistency of a fire hose on full blast, just pure guesswork. That refractometer is the only thing keeping my coolant from being useless wishful thinking.