by Bernard Martin

For over a century, Hangsterfer’s Laboratories has been at the forefront of metalworking fluid innovation, specializing in high-performance coolants, cutting oils, and lubricants. Founded in 1937, the company built its reputation on straight cutting oils designed for Swiss-style screw machines, earning the trust of precision manufacturers in medical, aerospace, and high-production machining.

Over the decades, Hangsterfer’s has expanded its product line to include water-soluble coolants, way lubricants, and bio-friendly formulations, all designed to optimize tool life, improve surface finishes, and enhance machine performance. Whether it’s deep-hole drilling, high-speed milling, or ultra-precision turning, Hangsterfer’s continues to be the go-to choice for machinists worldwide.

Hangsterfer’s product range includes specialized formulations designed to optimize machining performance across different applications.  Here's a quick summary of their more popular products:

Emulsifiable Oils: S-500 & S-500CF
S-500 is  Semi-synthetic and full synthetic coolants offering long sump life, excellent lubrication, and resistance to bacterial growth. Commonly used in high-speed CNC milling, turning, and Swiss-style machining. This Boeing approved product for general machining of all metals. Due to its extreme pressure (EP) properties, outstanding results have been generated on all metals, including nickel alloys, stainless steels and aluminum alloys. The S-500CF version is chlorine free with specially formulated anti-weld and anti-wear compounds for use on ferrous and non-ferrous metals especially aluminum alloys.

Semi-Synthetic: 5080 & 5040
Hangsterfer’s semi-sythetics, like 5080® are chlorine-free, vegetable based micro-emulsion semi-synthetic coolants that represents the Next Generation® in technology. The unique characteristics of thier semi-sythetics allow for excellent results high-pressure applications with exotic aerospace and medical alloys. The natural translucent formula provides good work piece visibility, very low consumption, and often reduces coolant consumption by more than 20%! 5080® is non-hazardous, non-toxic, contains no noxious chemicals, is low-odor, mild to the skin, does not damage paint, and is compatible with machine elastomers. Additionally, the 5040® low hydrocarbon formula utilizes special vegetable derived ingredients to achieve outstanding results in a wide variety of applications. The unique lubricity characteristics of 5040® allow for manufacturing of ferrous to non-ferrous materials.

Synthetic: Crystal Cut 322 & R-100
Crystal Cut ® 322 A Boeing approved full synthetic, which is excellent for machining and grinding of all materials, especially aerospace materials. Crystal Cut 322 is based on Alternative and Renewable Resources, and its unique formulation significantly eases the cutting process and also provides excellent corrosion and rust protection reducing oxidation of the freshly cut surfaces.  R-100: An excellent grinding synthetic, especially useful in Blanchard grinders and deburring tumblers. Hangsterfer’s R-100 is a full synthetic machining and grinding coolant. The transparent biostable formula offers extended sump life, reduced coolant consumption and minimal waste. R-100 is free of oil and grease while remaining transparent in both hard and soft water. It provides a unique cleaning action to help reduce wheel loading and leaves behind a thin corrosion inhibiting film.

Straight Cutting Oils: Hard-Cut 5418 & Hard-Cut NG
Hard-Cut® Series - Heavy-duty oils designed for deep-hole drilling, gun drilling, and high-pressure applications, particularly in aerospace and medical implant manufacturing. The Hard-Cut ® series is recognized as the ultimate in high quality cutting oils. Hard-Cuts are intended to make the hardest applications easier and more profitable by improving part quality and by reducing tooling costs. Hard-Cut 5418, an outstanding all-around cutting oil, can be used in Swiss-Style automatics, milling machines or light stamping. Hard-Cut NG is the Next Generation® of Hard-Cuts and contains an infused combination of synthetic and vegetable compounds and derivatives. Delivers extreme pressure and anti-wear additives to the tool work-piece interface without compromise to other features that you expect.

Way Lubricants
The full range of Hangsterfer’s WayOil series of products offers superior slideway adherence, stick-slip friction characteristics and complete water soluble coolant separation. WayOil 2 is formulated with high quality additives, resulting in products that meet or exceed international specifications established for slideway oils. By separating quickly and completely from your water soluble coolant, you will achieve the maximum in cutting performance and sump life. In addition, because they minimize water solubility, they are less likely to be prematurely washed off the ways. The Way Oil series is available in 5 viscosities that meet the International Standards Organization (ISO) viscosity requirements for machine lubricants..

Coolant Compatibility: Hangsterfer’s S-Series and Blaser Swisslube
One of the key advantages of Hangsterfer’s S-Series coolants, particularly S-500, is its ability to mix with certain Blaser Swisslube coolants without requiring a complete machine cleanout. Many shops have successfully transitioned by slowly introducing S-500 or S-500CF into their existing Blaser systems, reporting minimal foaming or separation issues. However, as with any coolant transition, it is recommended to conduct a small-scale test to ensure full compatibility before making a complete switch.

Machinists who have used Hangsterfer’s coolants and oils often share their experiences on forums like Practical Machinist, where real-world feedback highlights how these fluids perform in different applications. Many users praise S-Series coolants for their lubricity and tool life benefits, with one machinist noting, “We use S-500 and are satisfied with it. Great lubricity, easy on the machines. Life is indefinite.”

When it comes to Swiss machining and deep-hole drilling, Hard-Cut oils have earned a strong reputation for performance. One forum member recommended Hard Cut 5258 Light as “a great general-purpose cutting oil... I use it in my manual lathe and in brush-on applications.”

Beyond cutting fluids, Hangsterfer’s coolants are also known for their operator-friendly properties. Some machinists have reported that they’re gentler on the skin and produce less odor compared to other brands. As one user put it, “I have been running Hangsterfer's S-388 for years. It's been kind to my skin, virtually immortal, and quite effective for the kind of machining I do.”

From coolant longevity to cutting oil effectiveness, real-world shop experience continues to reinforce Hangsterfer’s reputation for reliability and performance across a wide range of machining applications.

Hangsterfer’s extensive range of coolants, cutting oils, and way lubricants makes them a versatile option for shops focused on performance, longevity, and compatibility. Whether you’re looking for a coolant that integrates well with existing systems, a high-performance cutting oil for Swiss machining, or a reliable waylube for precision movement, Hangsterfer’s has a solution tailored for your needs.

For shops considering a switch, tapping into machinist communities and conducting small-scale trials can help ensure a smooth transition with minimal downtime. To learn more or find out which lubricant is best for your shop get in contact with the team at Browne & Co to schedule a call.

Mentor, Ohio – Browne & Co., a leading manufacturers' representative agency specializing in metalworking and machining solutions, proudly announces its partnership with Hangsterfer’s Laboratories. Known for their advanced metalworking fluids and cutting-edge lubricants, Hangsterfer’s Laboratories is now part of the exceptional portfolio of brands represented by Browne & Co.

Hangsterfer’s Laboratories has been a trusted name in the industry since 1937, delivering high-performance solutions in metalworking fluids, cutting oils, machine lubricants, and coolant concentrates. Their products are engineered to optimize tool life, surface quality, and operational efficiency across a range of applications, including aerospace, automotive, medical, and precision machining industries.

“We are thrilled to welcome Hangsterfer’s Laboratories to our growing list of premium manufacturing partners,” said David Browne, President of Browne & Co. “Their commitment to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our mission to provide best-in-class solutions to our clients. Together, we look forward to driving growth and improving performance in the industries we serve.”

Hangsterfer’s Laboratories brings a legacy of excellence, with products designed to meet stringent safety and environmental standards. Their formulations are REACH, RoHS, and SVHC compliant, featuring Next Generation® technology that enhances both productivity and sustainability.

Browne & Co. will leverage its industry expertise and extensive network to bring Hangsterfer’s premium products to manufacturing facilities across Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia. Clients can now benefit from tailored solutions that improve machining efficiency, reduce downtime, and achieve superior results.

For more information about Hangsterfer’s Laboratories or to request a consultation, contact us!

About Browne & Co.
Browne & Co. is a trusted manufacturers' representative agency serving the metalworking, machining, and industrial sectors. With a focus on delivering cutting-edge products and unmatched customer service, Browne & Co. has built a reputation for excellence in helping clients optimize their manufacturing processes.

Appears in Print at Production Machining as: 'A Swift Tool Change for Swiss-Type Machines'
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​This coolant-through tooling system replacement for the gang plate on a Swiss-type machine can save hours of spindle downtime per day as well as increase tool life and enhance chip control.

by LORI BECKMAN Senior Editor Production Machining
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While servicing the tools on a traditional platen on a sliding headstock lathe, it can take 10 minutes or more to index one insert. While indexing the tools, coolant spigots can get knocked loose by an operator and can cost a machine shop tool life and time. Once the inserts are indexed, it can take several starts and stops of the spindle for the operator to see if the coolant stream is being directed to where it needs to be.
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Arno’s Fast Change (AFC) tooling system consists of a gang plate that holds split-shank, coolant-through turning tools, parting tools and grooving tools. Designed like a manifold, the coolant is rerouted through the gang plate to the tools. The UN-style slot in the fixed stop picks up the coolant and runs it through the pipette to the front end where the coolant goes directly to the cutting edge. The AFC system can supply coolant to one port that supports all the tooling positions, or it can supply two ports and divide the tooling positions with the needle valve.

The tooling system only needs to be plumbed once and, according to the company, after that, a high-pressure coolant line should not need to be touched again. With proper setup, the high-pressure lines are moved behind the machine guards, creating a clean machining environment. This enables operators to complete safer routine maintenance. Also, the AFC’s low-profile clamps do not collect as many chips compared with a typical clamping system.

When replacing a split-shank tool, the operator simply loosens two clamps to remove the cutting head and then replaces it with a new one, the company says.

Using the AFC system, Arno reports that it takes 17 seconds to change a tool, a vast improvement to the typical 7 to 10 minutes it can take using a traditional gang plate. The conventional method might take five minutes to change a tool, a minute to touch the tool off and another minute to adjust the spigot, for instance.

In comparison, when an operator is working with the AFC system, retouch is not necessary because the tool will repeat within plus or minus a thousandth of the previous tool positions. There is also no need to factor in time for readjusting coolant lines because the new system is a true, coolant-through system.

It is also not necessary to factor in the clearing away of chips because those surfaces have mostly been eliminated with the smooth AFC design, according to Stroup. Therefore, the 17-second tool change time is the only time to factor in.

​But, for a real-world example, he increases the time to one minute to consider a distracted operator that might use extra seconds

Since 1957, General Die Casters has worked closely with their customers, to design, manufacture, and deliver the custom die castings they demand. In March 2010 they opened their new 90,000 square foot expansion casting foundry in Twinsburg, OH.  service the Appliance, Automotive, Commercial, Computers & Peripherals, Electrical, Industrial, Lawn & Garden, Recreational and Transportation Industries.

Advanced Chemical Solutions was invited to discuss coolants that would not only perform well but also not have an odor, foam or cause dermatitis.

Mark Pierson from ACS with closely with Keith Kish, the Director of Manufacturing Engineering at General Die Casters. According to Keith, "I was looking for an economical coolant that would not stink, foam or have skin issues for our employees. Advanced Chemical Solutions evaluated our facility and provided Nano Tech 6800 for testing."        

General Die Casters has a good number of CNC machines from Brother, Mori Seiki, Chiron, Takisowa, DMC, Kitako, and a good number Haas machines.    Taking good care of their employees is important to the the company.  Recently, several employees celebrated 20 years of service at the company. One of them was Anderson Grant, the first shift operator “In most companies, it’s very rare to see employees who reach 20 years of employment. At General Die Casters, it is common to see people reach 35 years at the company. We have a work culture where there is mutual respect and support of one another. When one of us succeeds, we all succeed”, says Anderson.

Having odor free coolant that didn't cause dermatitis is part of keeping employee morale high.  According to Keith, "Nano Tech 6800 is absolutely the best coolant we have ever used in our machines. No Monday morning odor, coolant stays fresh and clean."  

But what about tool life?

Keith tells us "This coolant has dramatically improved our work environment helping to keep our machines cleaner and improving our tool life."​

Advanced Chemical Solutions introduces FormKut Light with a proprietary blend of additives specifically tailored to Hydromat Rotary Transfer machining, providing faster cutting speeds, greater feed rates and higher part quality with superior surface finishes.

Our Formkut light oil formulation is designed for medium to moderately difficult machining on steel, stainless steel, and nonferrous materials. A transparent chlorinated cutting oil allows operators easy visual references to the tooling. 

Formkut light is an economical product that is appreciated by machinists for its lack of odor and non-irritating properties.

Please contact Browne & Company for your closest, authorized, Advanced Chemical Solutions distributor.

In January of this year we welcomed a new member to our Browne & Co. sales team and with manufacturing companies opening up again, it's about time we introduce you to Jeff Terrace!

Just before joining Browne & Co in January 2019, Jeff worked at Hoffmann Group, a German cutting tool, hand tool, workstation and storage solutions manufacturer.

Jeff has been working as an InovaTool representative since February of 2019 and recently joined Browne & Company at the beginning of 2020 as our Cutting Tool Specialist. Please send Jeff and email or give him a call to introduce yourself or pick his brain about an application question.

​We are often asked by end-users for a single coolant that’s effective in all materials and all applications. The family of Nano Tech products eliminates the need for multiple types of coolants.

Using innovative additives, Nano Tech products can be used on Aluminum with no fear of staining to high nickel alloys, providing excellent tool life.

Engineered to provide maximum lubrication, Nano Tech products also provide maximum cooling, extending tool life in milling, drilling and turning applications.

​Advanced Chemical Solutions is best known for our customized fluids that help impart the best quality finish and tool life for a specific material or cutting operation, from this Nano Tech products where formed. Using Nano Tech will provide end-users a multioperation fluid to product high quality parts without sacrificing material-based performance.

by Mark Pierson
General Manager, Advanced Chemical Solution

Progressive companies are always looking for innovative products that can increase production, lower production cost and even improve finish products. These same companies often overlook their current metalworking fluids,

It's common to hear "we have used brand X for years with no problems." The problem is lost opportunity cost.

At Advanced Chemical Solutions, we are driven by innovation and improvement. Using today's technologies, ACS has created more advanced metalworking fluids. We focus on providing a healthier, cleaner running product that offers a higher operator acceptance.

Using the latest nano technology, allows us to make products that will improve cycle time, improve tool life, improve part tolerance and improve surface finish. The attributes of these products will not only positively impacting the quality of your finish parts, but will positively impact your employees as well.

• No more foul odors.
• No more sticky residues.
• Our products will help maintain a cleaner working environment.

Lost opportunity cost, Don't fall victim to "we have used brand X for years",

Metalworking fluids are just like cutting tools: they continue to evolve and offer new innovations. In metalworking fluids these innovations come in the form of new base materials and additives.

Want to learn how these products can impact your business, get more details on Advanced Chemical Solutions webpage.

Arno Werkzeuge USA has reintroduced the H.B. Rouse brand of carbide cutting tools and inserts.

Formerly sold and marketed under the Arno-Rouse name, the company has reintroduced Rouse as a standalone product offering a broad range of carbide boring bars, tools and inserts for manual turning operations.

The carbide insert turning tools have triple-sided inserts for quick change turning operations.

Triple-tip boring bars offer an improved triangular insert located within a precision-machined pocket to eliminate shifting under heavy cuts; the insert requires the simple removal of one screw for indexing.

Boring bars feature carbide inserts that provide three cutting edges instead of only one (as is common with brazed-tip tooling).