Shop Made Tools - Cheap and Effective Home Made Flood Coolant Tramp Oil Skimmer for 30 Dollars

[@MichaelS3013]

Hello Stuart, there is always something to improve. It's nice to see how you adjusted the lathe to your needs. And I always admire your beautiful workshop. Clean, tidy and good light! Greetings Michael

[@StuartsShed]

Thank you for the kind words, Michael! Very much appreciated.

[@edsmetalworks8426]

Nice economical upgrade to your coolant tank. Thanks for sharing it!

[@daveticehurst4191]

Well done Stuart. That is another video under you belt to get the subscriber numbers up hopefully. Regards from Australia. 43 C here today in Adelaide. 23 rd January.

[@StuartsShed]

Cheers Dave! Growing little by little - that works for me. 43C is toasty warm! I don’t envy you that. We were -23C overnight a few nights ago. We’ve warmed up now - it was 0C during the day yesterday. 🥶

[@randalallen4020]

Excellent upgrade!

[@mvpmachine]

Stuart, you have an interesting channel! I subscribed!

[@StuartsShed]

Thank you! Greatly appreciated!

[@paulhammond7489]

Came across after a shout out for your channel on Paul's HaxbyShed. Enjoyed this upgrade project, subscribed :)

[@StuartsShed]

Thank you!

[@chip-load]

Many thanks for the idea and the links, Stuart. Its 9 months later and I would like to know how that screen has worked out for removing the oil and what is the mesh size? Also, any changes you would suggest? All the best.

[@StuartsShed]

@@chip-load thanks for your comments and questions. In the end, the stainless screen does kind of sort of work, but is fiddly. I found a small scooping spoon to be easier. Everything is working really well, so I wouldn’t change anything as such, but for the easiest tramp oil scooping use the widest area plastic container that you can fit in the sump. I made another one of these for my mill coolant tank, which is much easier to scoop just because it has easier access. Both systems have had the pumps running 24-7, and the coolant is still in good condition. I monitor the concentration and ph levels and top up as needed with water and concentrate - have not had to do a coolant change at all. But I’m a home machinist, so the coolant isn’t getting pounded for 12 hours a day. Hope that helps!

[@chip-load]

@@StuartsShed Wow, very quick reply and THANK YOU for the additional information and experience! All the best from a New subscriber.

[@EitriBrokkr]

With a deep enough sump, shouldn't the tramp oil just float on top and never be drawn into the main pump? Asking because I'm thinking of building one for my lathe

[@StuartsShed]

Although that is true, one of the problems of the oil floating around is that it helps promote the growth of the bacteria that can cause the coolant to start to smell. That in turn can lower the ph value (make it acidic). Also even if not drawn in to the main pump, the oil floating on top can emulsify with the coolant - so the best bet is to keep removing it. Thanks for commenting! Good luck with your own coolant project - my surface finishes improved dramatically when I started using coolant - plus dimensional stability is better for tight tolerance work. Cheers!

[@EitriBrokkr]

@@StuartsShed thank you for the feedback

[@mikebarton3218]

Ah, you’re in the USA are you?

[@StuartsShed]

Yes indeed!