Using Antifreeze

[glh17]

A question came up on another woodworking forum about the use of antifreeze to prevent the wheels in water-cooled grinders such as the Tormek and the Jet.  Although I didn't respond, I had some concerns about wheel deterioration and contamination. The question dealt with using a mixture of 50 percent water and 50 percent Sierra brand antifreeze.  Supposedly, Sierra brand is safe for humans and pets.

What do you think about this?

   

[ionut]

I wouldn't use anything else than water, especially antifreeze. If it is too cold in the shop, garage, tent, yard,... the machine or at least the stone has to be brought inside the house, even though I believe it has to be pretty  cold and for pretty long time in order for the stone to crack.

Ionut

[Jeff Farris]

Anti-freeze will foul the grindstone to the point of making it useless.

[Herman Trivilino]

A question came up on another woodworking forum about the use of antifreeze to prevent the wheels in water-cooled grinders such as the Tormek and the Jet. 

Water should never be left in the trough long enough to freeze, anyway.

[glh17]

Thanks guys, that's what I thought.  My Tormek's home is an unheated garage but temps usually don't fall below freezing inside the garage.  I always empty the water and bring it inside if I've used it within three or four days of freezing temps.  I didn't think the antifreeze would be good for the stone, but didn't really know.  No need to risk damaging an expensive stone.  I'll relay the opinion to the poster. 
Thanks Again,
gary