[cheetahcnc]

Looked seriously at options for non-flood coolant for the 1100, as I was getting weary of the spray bottle system. Tormach offers the Fog Buster system which has been mentioned in a few other coolant posts. Chose to purchase from Fog Buster as they offered a double nozzle system. Also got the check valves and solenoid for automatic operation. I wanted a spray bottle-less system. Hooked it all up, and here is what I found. With the two nozzles, it required way too much air flow to get coolant flow. The info included with the double nozzle warned of the necessary higher pressure. The flow just seemed too inconsistent. Here is where the tweaking comes in. The original set up has the main air going through the solenoid (or air switch for the manual system), through the regulator to the coolant tank. The coolant and the air flow come from the tank. I took the air flow tubes off the ports on the tank. Looped a piece of hose from one of the ports to the other to block them off. Then added a second 0-30 psi regulator and gauge tee'd in after the solenoid, but before the regulator for the tank for the air flow tubes. Now the tank is set at 8 psi, and the air flow at 6. Way more control with far less compressed air use, probably will really help if you run a smaller air system. While plumbing this all up, I also got a extra 0-30 psi regulator and gauge for a dedicated extended blow nozzle for the deep pockets and cleaning coolant/debris from finished parts. This one is set at 10 psi, tee'd in before the solenoid so it works all the time. That way full blast isn't sending coolant/debris all over the Tormach and shop. Another thing for the Fog Buster is the addition of a bracket to allow two magnets to be mounted on the mount. The unit comes with one simple stand per nozzle, and I added one of their optional mounts per nozzle. Each one had a magnet, so I put the extra magnet to good use. The mount is much more secure now. Also shown is a mod to the Tormach extended chip guard which was getting in the way of the longer tools on the ATC. I like the open access now, the ease of running larger parts, and it still contains the majority of the mess.

















My overall rating on the Fog Buster system is now a "10" out of "10". Precision control on less air. I also like having it mounted close to my bandsaw, to use on some of the larger cuts. Might even have to move the chop saw closer, too.


Jim

[Steve Seebold]

I agree with about 90% of what was said here. The ONLY disagreement is the FogBuster is not that great for DEEP pockets or drilling because there is not enough air pressure to bolw chips out of the pocket or the holes.

I have been using Fog Buster products since 2004. I used them on my Haas, FADAL and now my PCNC1100.

[al010964]

Thanks Jim,

I just bought this system as I didn't want to run flood in my hobby room. I did a dry setup as I didn't get time to mix the coolant.

It gives me some hope as I connected up an airbrush compressor, as I had one lying around and I need to be quite as I run the machine at night with close neighbors.

I could only get 10 psi out, sounds like it will be enough to cool/lubricate but not blow chips?

Cheers,
.adrian

[kstrauss]

What do you use for coolant? What mixing proportions?

[MichaelHenry]

I tried using the Premier coolant that Tormach sells for the Fog Buster I bought from Tormach, but was not happy with the effect on machine paint and it seemed like it wasn't working as well as the Hangsterfer S-500 I'd used previously for flood coolant. I switched to the S-500 for the Fog Buster a few months back and have been happy with the performance of that coolant. No effect on paint and the cutting seems good, using an 8-10% solution.

Mike

[mountaindew]

Nice design c-cnc! btw


Ordered one of these fog busters to install this week.
Reading the install manual it is recommends the reservoir to be set at spray outlet level.
This modification would allow placement of reservoir at almost any convenient location correct?
Coolant supply is under pressure this way and not gravity fed.

Any other tips on install or use?
Anyone install switch to change from fog to flood ?
md

[FoxCNC1]

Just learned about this systems (sorry for bringing this thread back to life).
Why is it important to place the tank at the same level as the nozzle?

How are you guys liking the system? - Can it be used to flood, I wonder if the nozzle can be replaced with one of those loc-line nozzles?

How is this system better than a flood systems? I too have my machine in a "hobby room".

Thanks

[SCzEngrgGroup]

Just learned about this systems (sorry for bringing this thread back to life).
Why is it important to place the tank at the same level as the nozzle?

How are you guys liking the system? - Can it be used to flood, I wonder if the nozzle can be replaced with one of those loc-line nozzles?

How is this system better than a flood systems? I too have my machine in a "hobby room".

Thanks

If the tank is much higher than the nozzle, it'll siphon, and the nozzle can leak even when the air is turned off. If the tank is much lower than the nozzle, the coolant can drain back into the tank when the air is turned off, and it can take a while for the line to re-fill when the air is turned back on, so you'll run a while without coolant. It can also cause erratic coolant flow. It works best when the tank is at about the same level as the nozzle.

Regards,
Ray L.

[FoxCNC1]

okay, thank you.
I can always mount it to the back on the gantry or on the wall next to my control panel enclosure.

would your recommend this kit over flooding for alum. and plastics ? (considering if also works as an air blower)
I am thinking I can always just run water too.

[Steve Seebold]

Just learned about this systems (sorry for bringing this thread back to life).
Why is it important to place the tank at the same level as the nozzle?

How are you guys liking the system? - Can it be used to flood, I wonder if the nozzle can be replaced with one of those loc-line nozzles?

How is this system better than a flood systems? I too have my machine in a "hobby room".

Thanks

I use the Fogbuster on my PCNC 1100. I have been using their products for a long time and I really like it. Mine is their 1/2 gallon dual nozzle system.

They work great in a small enclosed room. I run the nozzle pressure at about 12 PSI, and adjust the coolant accordingly. For most applications, if you can see the coolant coming out of the nozzle, that's too much.

[FoxCNC1]

I use the Fogbuster on my PCNC 1100. I have been using their products for a long time and I really like it. Mine is their 1/2 gallon dual nozzle system.

They work great in a small enclosed room. I run the nozzle pressure at about 12 PSI, and adjust the coolant accordingly. For most applications, if you can see the coolant coming out of the nozzle, that's too much.

That sounds great.
Where did you get your kit from? I got a quote from Fogbusters.com and some images of how they attach their solenoid and its hanging off the side of the tank.
Seems like it would break off.

[kstrauss]

My solenoid valve is something generic that I picked up locally. My shop air is distributed via pipes hung from the ceiling and the solenoid valve is simply at the bottom of the drop pipe behind my machine. Incidentally, although my solenoid valve draws only a few watts, it was causing erratic behaviour of the Tormach when coolant was turned on/off. Installing a Tormach electrical noise suppression kit (33059) completely cured the problem.

[FoxCNC1]

Thank you.

[Steve Seebold]

That sounds great.
Where did you get your kit from? I got a quote from Fogbusters.com and some images of how they attach their solenoid and its hanging off the side of the tank.
Seems like it would break off.

I get my Fogbuster directly from Fogbuster. They are made about 3 miles from where I live.

I don't use their solenoid, I just use an on and off switch.

[FoxCNC1]

I just ordered from them their 1/2 gallon single nozzle kit.
I ordered the solenoid just in case if I ever decide to use the M codes ( something I will have to learn)

Why did you choose to use a manual switch?

[smokediver576]

Ok, not to thread jack but is there a difference in what the Fogbuster does v/s the Trico Micro-Drip system http://www.tricocorp.com/product/md-1200-micro-drop/ That is other than paying Trico about $300 more per unit. I was recommended the Trico unit as what I should purchase v/s flood coolant.

Just another Newbie question from the guy down South.

Thanks

[Steve Seebold]

I just ordered from them their 1/2 gallon single nozzle kit.
I ordered the solenoid just in case if I ever decide to use the M codes ( something I will have to learn)

Why did you choose to use a manual switch?

Cancel your order for a single nozzle and order the dual nozzle set up.

[kstrauss]

I ordered the solenoid just in case if I ever decide to use the M codes ( something I will have to learn)

There isn't a lot to learn. Plug the solenoid into the outlet for the coolant pump. Put an M8 into the Gcode to turn the mist on and M7 to turn it off. Most CAM software can automatically include the codes. If not, the post can often be easily modified to include the M8 in the header and M7 in the trailer. Works a treat!

[SCzEngrgGroup]

Ok, not to thread jack but is there a difference in what the Fogbuster does v/s the Trico Micro-Drip system http://www.tricocorp.com/product/md-1200-micro-drop/ That is other than paying Trico about $300 more per unit. I was recommended the Trico unit as what I should purchase v/s flood coolant.

Just another Newbie question from the guy down South.

Thanks

FogBuster and the Trico are completely different. FogBuster is intended primarily as a coolant dispenser, while the Trico is for lubrication. FogBuster dispenses a coolant which consists of about 97% water, and the rest is corrosion inhibitors. Atomization and evaporation of the coolant creates the primary cooling effect. It should not be used with any other fluid. The Trico dispenses oil, in micro-droplet form, providing very localized lubrication. It must not be used with any water-based fluid. The dispensers operate on completely different principles as well, with the FogBuster providing a very strong, but low-volume, flow of air and coolant, which does a very good job of clearing chips (from its rather small "aim point"). The Trico dispenses an extremely fine, extremely low volume of oil mist. Which is "better" depends to a large extent on what (and how) you're machining. You should download and compare the benefits, and limitations, of both before buying.

It is also quite easy to make your own FogBuster, with about $40 in commonly available parts, and a few simple fabricated bits. The FogBuster patent is readily available, and explains the system in great detail.

Regards,
Ray L.

[smokediver576]

Thanks for the input Ray L.

Has anyone ever seen or built a cooling system using pressure washer tips? Shop Blue Hawk 5-Pack Hi-Pressure Spray Tips at Lowes.com

I've had this idea in the back of my head for a few weeks and it seems like you could control the width and so forth of the spray.