source of diy protective ‘rubber’ film for mills/ drills?

[jon hill 3Participant @jonhill3]

I recently grabbed a joblot of end mills and slot drills without their original boxes and was wondering if it is possible to source the rubber protective film that sometimes comes with new slot drills & endmills.

Currently the lot is rattling around in a tin, not the best for precision cutting tools.

If anyone knows of a source of such protective dipping rubber I would be very greatful…

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

The stuff is called Crocell.

You also need a means of melting it.

Sit down before you look at the price.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

I seem to think it was called peelable grease, but that was not a trade name.  Noel.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

You can get a hot dip waxy stuff like Seba Protecta-Coat 

or alternatively I wonder if the sort of plastic used for plier handles etc might do a more permanent job; PlastiDip is one type.

Bill

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Is this for long-term storage or do you want ready access to the cutters for use? For the latter, you don’t want the melt-on stuff.

Polythene tube sleeves can be used to protect the cutting edges; lubricating-oil or grease inc. petroleum jelly (‘Vaseline’), or lanolin, will protect the steel from rusting.

Wipe the shank clean before fitting it in the collet – for a screwed-shank cutter ensure the protective has not also stuck dirt into the thread.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

I forgot to mention, There is also this sort of protective meshing, which you could maybe colour code for metric/imperial 2/3/4 flute etc.
I’ve no connection with this firm, or used their products

Bill

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Crocell easily found on Ebay, but as DC31K says, not exactly cheap.

Rob

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

..wrap a piece of oiled acid-free tissue round them, store them in a plastic organiser box.. ..?

..pretty sure that job-lots of empty boxes turn up on Ebay now and again, I guess when CNC apprentices have their ‘practical’ week..

 

[Ian ParkinParticipant @ianparkin39383]

I store my smaller and valuable bits in freezer trays for making ice sticks…silicone rubber and quite cheap

[John Doe 2Participant @johndoe2]

How about dipping them in melted candle wax? As long as they don’t get bashed around too much in their storage, that should be OK, and very cheap and easy !

Might need several dips to build up a reasonable layer.

Just be very careful if melting wax over an open flame, gasses can be given off which can ignite.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Two parts to this. One is mechanical protection and the other part is rust protection.
For the latter never use a paper product as it will eventually lose its protective juices, even raw oil, absorb moisture and promote rust. Clear Waxoil car underbody treatment is convenient and evaportates to a thin wax film. Hot wax is awkward and chips. If your church has 7 day candles in plastic tubes burning continuously ask for some spent ones. The small amount of wax left in each is a soft paste (the beeswax ones are rather firmer though.

For the mechanical part recover the 2litre milk bottle from your recycling. Cut off the handle including the curved bit at the top. A small mill fits in this and the curve stops it falling out the other end. Cut off the bottom of the bottle 1 in high as a tray. Cut the flat section in the middle that has the label on it into one long sheet and roll it up. Tie it thus and pop  it into some hot water, (experiment needed) to set it in this shape. Then you can cut sections of it to make tubes to stop the mills touching in the earlier mentioned tray.

[Grindstone Cowboy]

On Grindstone Cowboy Said:

Crocell easily found on Ebay, but as DC31K says, not exactly cheap.

Rob

On peak4 Said:

I forgot to mention, There is also this sort of protective meshing, which you could maybe colour code for metric/imperial 2/3/4 flute etc.
I’ve no connection with this firm, or used their products

Bill

I would go for the above ‘mesh’, Crocell isn’t really practical for cutters you are using on a daily basis.

Tony

[jon hill 3Participant @jonhill3]

Thanks guys, I dont think Crocell is that expensive after all I will probably need is a kilo bar and a suitable hotplate if I go done that route. I would imagine a little goes a long way, and very hand for reamers and slot drills.  Of the latter I have too many that I can use so will probably sell or swap for other useful things.

Can anyone recommend a suitable hotplate that can be found 2nd hand for cheap?

I like the mesh and sleeve ideas too.

[ZanParticipant @zan]

Bond 2 layers of white covered chipboard from eg an old kitchen unit

drill a grid of holes to match the shank sizes

mark in pencil the mill diameter

easey safe Storage and identification

[ZanParticipant @zan]

Bond 2 layers of white covered chipboard from eg an old kitchen unit

drill a grid of holes to match the shank sizes  or diameter of mill if putting in current down

Fill holes with oil and allow to soak in

mark in pencil the mill diameter

Easy  safe Storage and identification

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

Dipping rubber?

[Andrew EntwistleParticipant @andrewentwistle]

For often used cutters I like these trays:

https://www.machine-dro.co.uk/tool-storage-black#mz-expanded-view-1700615589643

Out of stock for singles, but available from machine-dro via eBay 12 for £17

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

Tony English has been selling various sizes of clip together plastic containers for milling cutters recently, the same type that many new cutters are sold in, I had some from him and use them for storage of all types of cutters, they work out low cost storage that can be marked with any permanent marker, I have no connection with Tony other than a satisfied customer on many occasions.

Tony English
Wareham
BH20
UK
01929 473901

[Grizzly bearParticipant @grizzlybear]

@ bazyle,

I like your take on the milk container.

You are certainly thinking outside of the  box.

Bear……..

[Emgee]

On Emgee Said:

Tony English has been selling various sizes of clip together plastic containers for milling cutters recently, the same type that many new cutters are sold in, I had some from him and use them for storage of all types of cutters, they work out low cost storage that can be marked with any permanent marker, I have no connection with Tony other than a satisfied customer on many occasions.

Tony English
Wareham
BH20
UK
01929 473901

I wanted a couple of these but had to bulk buy. If you want a couple pm me and we can come to a deal

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Oops, quoted the wrong thread, I meant The MDRO trays

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