sactocruiser said:Kerosene or Rapid Tap for aluminum is preferred for tapping and cutting Al. I've never heard of using alcohol.
I spent quite a bit of time in machine shops.
Picked this up at Gerber Systems. A high end manufacturing company. I thought it a little strange at first but it works incredibly well. I also mist any aluminum I might be cutting with a hacksaw or drilling a hole in.
Cheap lubricant, try it some time.