p.mulwitz(at)worldnet.att
Guest
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 Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 10:24 am Post subject: Magic Hole Cutting Fluid. |
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I just discovered some really good cutting fluid for making smooth
holes in thick aluminum. It is called "Option 1" made by Relton
Corporation of Arcadia,CA. I found it at my local tool store, the
Tool Peddler, but I am sure there are other stores that carry this
stuff. A 4 ounce bottle was plenty to make the 6 holes I needed in
my wing spar and cost a few dollars.
After reading about the problems others have had and trying my skills
at dry drilling thick aluminum and also reaming those holes I
discovered I could not make nice smooth holes. My first approach was
to build a fixture to keep the reamer straight. That helped a
little, but still I had rough finish inside my 5/16 holes needed to
mate the XL wing spar to the center section.
I decided to try this fluid. Just a few drops on the cutting tool
(either drill or reamer) made a huge difference in the smoothness of
the hole. The drilled holes using the fluid were smoother than the
reamed ones done without the fluid. With the fluid, reamer, and
reaming fixture the holes are really nice.
The fixture I made for the hand reamer is just a piece of 1/2 inch
UHMW plastic held around 3 inches from the work piece with a little
sheet metal box. A hole drilled in the plastic and another in the
opposite side of the box allow the reamer to go into the target hole
and stay aligned. If anyone wants a picture just send me an email.
Paul
XL wings
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