Extend the Life of Your Cutting Tools

When it comes to cutting tools, you know they see a lot of action and are prone to wear and tear. You also know that their quality and longevity directly impact the efficiency, budget and quality of work in a shop. That is why it is important to take extra steps to extend the quality and life of your cutting tools.

To ensure your tools remain sharp, effective and safe to use, you need to properly maintain them. Using cutting fluids on your tools is a simple but great way to protect them.

Cutting fluids include lubricants and coolants, which come in different forms such as liquids, gels, aerosols and sticks.

Coolants absorb heat during cutting, thus reducing friction and preventing overheating. Lubricants, on the other hand, minimize friction and wear between the tool and the workpiece.

Using coolants and lubricants can create a protective barrier that can enhance your tools’ performance and lifespan. So, cutting fluids not only help you save money in the long run, but they also ensure your work remains precise and efficient.

Kimball Midwest offers a variety of coolants and lubricants. Here are some products that will help you extend the life of your cutting tools:

Our Ultra-Cut Synthetic Cutting Fluid provides the friction-reducing lubricity and high film strength of oil-based fluids combined with the cooling performance and easy cleanup of water. It is versatile, so it can be used for all types of metal cutting and machining applications. It can also be used in recirculating or automatic flood coolant systems. It is available in a gallon bottle or 5-gallon bucket.

The Ultra-Cut 2 Cutting Tool Coolant absorbs heat and lowers the operating temperatures of your tools to ensure they last longer. It also reduces friction to increase cutting ease and efficiency. It is ideal for applications such as drilling, tapping, reaming, threading, milling and machining.

Ultra-Cut Gold Cutting and Tapping Fluid liquid keeps your tools running smooth and cool to provide extended tool life. Its formula is great for just about any kind of metal-cutting application. It is available in a squeeze bottle, a spray bottle and gallon jugs, so there is a size to fit any application.

Ultra-Cut Gold Gel a great option for metal removing and forming applications like cutting, drilling, tapping and reaming. Its gel formula resists throw-off and doesn't splatter like thin-bodied fluids, which means less mess for you.

The Ultra-Cut Gold Stick is a high-performance lubricant that comes in a large stick dispenser. This makes it ideal for an easy application on tools like large cutters or drill bits. It’s also easy to transport, and you don’t have to worry about spilling it.

Our Roto-Kut™ Stick reduces friction for cleaner, faster cutting and provides superior adhesion to your cutting tools. It can be used with portable drills without coolant feed systems, and its stick form makes it easy to apply to Roto-Kut™ cutters, as well.

The Hard-Kut Hi-Performance Metal-Working Lubricant is designed for tough operations on stainless steel and other hard metals. Its thick paste stays where applied, so it is ideal for vertical and overhead applications. It can also be thinned with water for use in coolant flood systems. It is available in a squeeze bottle, a wide mouth jar and gallon jugs.

No matter what cutting tools you use, it’s important to properly maintain them, and using cutting fluids can help with that. If your tools are feeling the heat, your Kimball Midwest sales representative can help you find the right products. If you don’t already have a rep, we can help you