This blog post has been created to help you decide which of our metal cutting fluid test kits are more suited to your requirements. Below you will find details on what is needed to comply with HSE MW5, what each kit includes and how to decide which one is best for you.

To comply with HSE MW5, you will need to check your fluids weekly for the following.

1. Bacteria levels
2. pH levels
3. Concentration Levels
4. Temperature
5. Visual / odour checks
6. Log all checks in a record book or digitally.

We have included equipment in each kit that allows you to perform all of the above checks correctly. Listed below, you will find details on the contents of each kit in relation to the recommended checks.

Bacteria Level Testing

To test for bacteria, you would use our MCBTM2 dipslides. These dipslides can check the metal working fluid for bacteria as well as yeasts and moulds. The dipslides require incubation using a dipslide incubator. A smaller incubator is included in the standard kit but there is an option to upgrade to a larger capacity incubator with both kits. You will need an incubator large enough to incubate as many dipslides as you have machines. e.g. if you have 7 machines, to comply with HSE MW5, you would be testing these machines weekly. As such, you would need an incubator capable of incubating 7 tests at the same time.

Standard Metal Cutting Fluid Test kit	Premium Metal Cutting Fluid Test kit
2 boxes of MCBTM2 dipslides	2 boxes of MCBTM2 dipslides
Gnat MX2 Incubator (2 dipslide capacity incubator)	Orion MX8 Incubator (8 dipslide capacity incubator)

pH Levels

To check this, you would either use disposable MCcolorpHast pH strips or a digital pH meter.

pH strips change colour depending on the pH of the fluid being tested. The reason we recommend MCcolorpHast pH strips over other brands is due to how the indicator colours are not affected by any colouration in the fluid. In our inhouse testing, we have seen cheaper brands take on the brown / grey colouration of the metal working fluid and in turn display an incorrect pH. Other brands have also reacted to additives in the MWF giving completely incorrect pH readings.

A digital pH meter will display the results on a LCD display making reading the results simple and quick. It is also worth noting that if the user has trouble distinguishing between colours (colour vision deficiency), they may struggle to read a pH strip correctly (since it is colour based). As a digital pH meter shows the reading as a number, it eliminates this issue.

Standard Metal Cutting Fluid Test kit	Premium Metal Cutting Fluid Test kit
MCcolorpHast pH strips	Digital pH and temperature (all in one device).

Fluid concentration levels

This is checked using a refractometer. These are offered as optional extras in our kits as many companies already have one.

Standard Metal Cutting Fluid Test kit	Premium Metal Cutting Fluid Test kit
Optional extra	Optional extra

Temperature

Test fluid's operating temperature using a waterproof thermometer / temperature sensor.

Standard Metal Cutting Fluid Test kit	Premium Metal Cutting Fluid Test kit
Digital thermometer (optional extra)	Digital pH and temperature meter (included)

Visual / odour checks

Inspect the fluid for impurities / possible signs of contamination such as tramp oil, metal fines, biofilm, bad odour etc.

Log results

Both kits include a full step by step user manual showing you how to perform all of the tests (including colour photos of each step in detail). We always suggest keeping the manual safe to show any HSE inspector (it confirms to them that you are aware of all the checks required and how to perform them correctly). There are recording charts at the back of the manual for logging your results. You can also use our free downloadable Excel sheet for recording results (link here: https://dip-slides.com/extras/121-excel-compliance-sheet-for-metal-cutting-test-kits.html).

Standard Metal Cutting Fluid Test kit	Premium Metal Cutting Fluid Test kit
Full step by step user manual and recording book	Full step by step user manual and recording book
Free Excel recording sheet available	Free Excel recording sheet available

Cutting Fluid Test Kit Comparison Table

The chart below offers a quick visual guide of the differences between the Standard and Premium Metal Cutting Fluid Test kits.

	Metal Cutting Dipslides	Standard Metal Cutting Fluid Test kit	Premium Metal Cutting Fluid Test kit
Replacement slides for kits MCF-B-PH-K and PMCF-B-PH-K.	✓	☓	☓
Number of dipslides included (aka number of tests)	10	20	20
Includes an incubator (required for the tests)	☓	✓	✓
Number of machines that can be tested at the same time. (more machines can be tested if the incubator is upgraded when ordering)	☓	1-2 Machines	2-8 Machines
Can test fluid pH Level (to comply with MW5 HSE Regulations)	☓	✓	✓
pH Testing Method	☓	MCcolorpHast pH Strips	Digital Meter
Can test fluid temperature (to comply with MW5 HSE Regulations)	☓	✓ (if optional temperature sensor is selected)	Digital Meter
Can test fluid concentration (to comply with MW5 HSE Regulations)	☓	✓ (if optional Refractometer sensor is selected)	✓ (if optional Refractometer is selected)
Includes full user manual	-	✓	✓
Includes Recording chart	-	✓	✓
Includes a comparison sheet to compare results.	✓	✓	✓
Part Number	MCBTM2	MCF-B-PH-K	PMCF-B-PH-K

How do I decide which kit to get?

This is mainly dependent on two things:

1. The size of incubator that you require.
   

   This will be based on the amount of dipslides you would like to incubate at once which will largely depend on the number of machines you have. Having said that, you can upgrade the incubator on both kits if you require a larger one.

2. Whether you prefer disposable pH strips or a digital pH meter.
   The disposable MCcolorpHast pH strips are easy to use but you may not wish to have to keep replacing them or you may prefer to read a digital pH reading (rather than compare results with a colour chart). If this is the case, you may wish to purchase the premium kit which comes with a digital pH meter. You will not need to buy replacement pH strips if you do this, but you would occasionally need to buy pH buffer to calibrate the device.

Assuming you purchase the optional refractometer and temperature sensor (if required, note that the premium kit comes with a temperature meter) and follow the guidelines on the MW5 HSE document (link here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/mw5.pdf) , either kit should help you to meet the requirements set out by the HSE. Due to this, the main factors that will inform your decision of which to buy will be the two points detailed above.