Go to Machine Cleaning Procedure

[BagOfChips]

It’s that time of year for house keeping. We just finished cleaning out 3 of our Haas mills and it sucked as usual.

I have been shopping for a good sump cleaning vacuum for a while but I didn’t want one that took up much space. I also didn’t want one that leaked everywhere during change overs. I checked out every vacuum at IMTS and settled on the OilVac 130 from National Machine products. It has the ability so suck and pump at the same time, which empties the tanks quick. We just roll in a plastic tank and pump out the coolant directly into the tank. It cost us about 6k delivered.

After pumping out all the coolant you still have to get inside and scrub everything down. Even with a wash down hose and tank cleaner, it still doesn’t get off the gunk.


For the outside of the machines
We have always used Purple power, Zep, Citrus, Krud Kutter, etc.

For the inside of the machines
WD40 first to remove the gunk, then use degreaser for ceilings, windows, and other indirect coolant areas. To avoid contamination.

Rust preventative
Fluid Film or CRC SP-400

I kept thinking to myself that there has to be something better and faster, but I may be in denial.

I say all that to ask this question…

What is your go to procedure for cleaning your machines and what products do you guys use?

Also, I attached a picture of the new vacuum. It’s a game change for our shop.

 

[Blaser Swisslube]

Regarding coolant cleaning, we like to suggest that when cleaning is complete to fill the machine with your current coolant at 2% concentration. That's just enough coolant so the pumps can circulate. Run for 30 minutes to flush the lines. Next, empty tank and refill with the proper concentration. Then, done!

 

[DouglasJRizzo]

I use Simple Green 50/50 mixed for the outside and WD-40 for the inside.
Coolant flush about every two years.

One trick I learned was to thoroughly wipe down and brush the chips away every day. Keeps the inside less cluttered.

 

[Mr. Atoz]

A couple of days before cleaning, we use a product call Renoclean. I cant remember who makes it. You just add it to your sump and run production. It busts up a lot of the crud, including what is in the lines.

 

[BagOfChips]

Regarding coolant cleaning, we like to suggest that when cleaning is complete to fill the machine with your current coolant at 2% concentration. That's just enough coolant so the pumps can circulate. Run for 30 minutes to flush the lines. Next, empty tank and refill with the proper concentration. Then, done!

Thanks for the tip. That’s a great tip.

 

[CarbideBob]

What do you do with the stuff you clean out?
I grind carbide. Any output has to be accounted for and no putting that in the drain or dumping.
Floor mop water is included in that big no-no now.

 

[Mtndew]

Regarding coolant cleaning, we like to suggest that when cleaning is complete to fill the machine with your current coolant at 2% concentration. That's just enough coolant so the pumps can circulate. Run for 30 minutes to flush the lines. Next, empty tank and refill with the proper concentration. Then, done!

Why not straight water if you're flushing it after 30 minutes? In case you weren't aware, coolant isn't cheap.

 

[DouglasJRizzo]

What do you do with the stuff you clean out?
I grind carbide. Any output has to be accounted for and no putting that in the drain or dumping.
Floor mop water is included in that big no-no now.

Waste water collector, perhaps?

 

[BagOfChips]

What do you do with the stuff you clean out?
I grind carbide. Any output has to be accounted for and no putting that in the drain or dumping.
Floor mop water is included in that big no-no now.

We have a company here in dallas that will pick up any oily coolant, with or without chips. Costs $1.50 a gallon, but I guess it’s worth it. There’s no where else to call. I hope they don’t dump it down the drain .

 

[BagOfChips]

Why not straight water if you're flushing it after 30 minutes? In case you weren't aware, coolant isn't cheap.

I have never had any luck with straight water on metal. I think the point would be to have some oil to prevent rust or any separation. I was also told you never add just straight water to your coolant. I’m sure there is some scientific reason.

 

[BagOfChips]

I use Simple Green 50/50 mixed for the outside and WD-40 for the inside.
Coolant flush about every two years.

One trick I learned was to thoroughly wipe down and brush the chips away every day. Keeps the inside less cluttered.

Just regular old simple green?

 

[CarbideBob]

We have a company here in dallas that will pick up any oily coolant, with or without chips. Costs $1.50 a gallon, but I guess it’s worth it. There’s no where else to call. I hope they don’t dump it down the drain .

I had a ten man offshoot shop just outside of Houston in Humble.
Don't know now but back then everything was so different in Texas.

 

[DouglasJRizzo]

Just regular old simple green?

Yup. Like you buy in the big box stores. I mix with water and use soft blue wipes.

 

[Orange Vise]

Why not straight water if you're flushing it after 30 minutes? In case you weren't aware, coolant isn't cheap.

Plus it costs another few hundred dollars to dispose of the flushing coolant. More than the coolant itself.

And realistically, flushing lines takes closer to 30 seconds than 30 minutes.

Not a great idea.

 

[Mtndew]

Not a great idea.

It's a fantastic idea when you're a coolant salesman.

 

[604Pook]

A couple of days before cleaning, we use a product call Renoclean. I cant remember who makes it. You just add it to your sump and run production. It busts up a lot of the crud, including what is in the lines.

Fuchs Lubricant's makes the renoclean. I use it as well along with their coolant. I was told to not let it sit in the machines for more than a few hours, as I guess it isn't a coolant/rust inhibitor.

 

[Blaser Swisslube]

Why not straight water if you're flushing it after 30 minutes? In case you weren't aware, coolant isn't cheap.

Through many years of testing different methods, we have found the best results are when you flush with low concentration of coolant vs water.

 

[Ozworks]

I've never tried WD40 for this inside. Going to give this a try.
We had a "boiler" for the used liquids. It greatly reduced our disposal expenses.

 

[gkoenig]

So far, Simple Green's Aircraft cleaner has been an incredible machine cleaner. Exterior, interior, and windows. Hell, everything around the shop is getting cleaned with it at this point, including parts.

 

[wmpy]

So far, Simple Green's Aircraft cleaner has been an incredible machine cleaner. Exterior, interior, and windows. Hell, everything around the shop is getting cleaned with it at this point, including parts.

What dilution are you using it at?