Lubricant

[tmuir]

When my next package of material and tools arrive from the shops I'm finally going to have a go at making an oscillating cylinder and piston to replace a missing set of an old steam engine I'm restoring.
I plan to drill and them machine ream the cylinder out and I'm assuming for reaming some lubricant will be in order.

The cylinder will be brass.
I went and visited my a local shop I knew that sold cutting and lubricating fluid but the stuff they had they wanted $57 (Australian) for a 500ml bottle.
At that price I declined to buy any.
Can anyone recommend a good lubricant for brass that won't burn a hole in the side of my wallet?

Thanks

 

[Bernd]

I'm here in the states. Now with that in mind. I have a quart of transmission fluid. I used it to ream the bore of Elmer's Wobbler engine. Worked just fine for me. The cylinder is made of bronze. I won't think it will make a difference on what material it's used.

Bernd

 

[mklotz]

Normally, brass is machined dry.

 

[Mcgyver]

like Marv says, dry. and with zero rake. it'll cut and finish beautifully. for 500ml at that price, I hope it's some 200:1 super concentrate or something

 

[tel]

I'll third that - always cut brass dry.

 

[Classic]

I'll third that - always cut brass dry.

And again, don't use lubricant on brass.

For steel, I find that cheap de-watering fluid, similar to WD40, does a good job.

 

[tmuir]

Thanks for that just wasn't sure whether I needed lubricant or not and didn't want to trash my new reamer when ever it arrives.

I've got a four year old son and I feel a bit like him, having to ask a dozen questions every time I come across something new to me. But its better to ask and get it right than just trying to muddle your way through and messing it all up.

 

[rake60]

As everyone else has already said, I machine brass dry at home.

At work it is a different story.
We use TrimSol.

I haven't found a consumer supplier for that product yet, but when
I do I'll be buying it for home use.
It works very well and the worst comment in the Material Safety Data Sheet
states that "Spilled product may cause slippery floors."

Rick