Most machining on aluminium with a Lathe or Mill is cooled AND LUBRICATED
with coolant. That stops that dragging bits of aluminium around and galling
of the material.

Machine Coolant is vegetable oil and water.

WD 40 is a light lubricant and would be good when there's no coolant
delivery system and reservoir
.
I use Kerosene when tapping, as it has a light oily base and the cut looks
as if it's done on a expensive CNC.

So Kerosene may be a good and cheap alternative to the wax and WD40. I use a
spray bottle and small squeeze bottle.
George  (down under)

>   Kevin,
>   I keep a block of bee's wax near the table saw to help with cutting
>   aluminum.  Also, I purchased a special aluminum cutter for my die
>   grinder from the local machine tool supplier (Dixietool.com).  It has
>   many fewer, but deeper flutes than ones made for ferrous metals.  It
>   works really great on aluminum.  My experience showed that it gives a
>   much better finish than a carbide wood cutter does and it was easier to
>   control (you still need to pay attention).
> """
>
> The attack and relief angles on cutters meant for wood vary dramatically
from
> those used on metal cutters.   A [wood-cutting] router bit will get you
> through in a pinch, but a real milling cutter or burr will perform much
> better.  I use WD40 for all my aluminum machining, works really well,
although
> a bit messy.  It's excellent for lubing taps when cutting aluminum.  I buy
it
> by the gallon and dispense it with a plastic squirt bottle.  FWIW.
>
>   <Marv>
>
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