Grinder Coolant

by DavidA
(NC)

Hi Sue,
I read somewhere that one can use normal car antifreeze as an effective coolant in glass grinders. It greatly extends the life of diamond cutting heads. Are there any negatives to this? And, if its OK, what would an appropriate mixture ratio with water be?
Many thanks and keep up the great work,
David

Answer
Hi David,

I had not heard of antifreeze being used as a coolant. We always put a few drops of dishwashing detergent in the water instead of using a commercial coolant. It seems to work. I get years out of a grinder head.

I did some investigating and found 2 references to antifreeze and grinders.

The official Inland site stated "(DO NOT use antifreeze)". I would imagine using antifreeze in an Inland grinder would make the guarantee null and void.

In another article about makinging holes in glass using a small grinder head, the following was written: "A fifty-fifty percent solution of automotive antifreeze and water will also work quite well." This was in reference to grinder coolants.

One thing to take into consideration...what will you do with the water/antifreeze that is left when you are rady to clean the grinder. I don't think you'd want to pour it down the drain. I don't think I'd even want to get the solution on my skin, which happens when you grind.

I'm going to have to let you make up your own mind as to what you want to do. I don't feel that I'd be giving you good advise by telling you to use antifreeze.