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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Dismal Nitch, AZ
Posts: 9,042
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Engine Turning - Who dunnit?
What's your technique?
I've adhered a round piece of leather to a 1/2" dowel and applied valve lapping compound to the rough side of the leather...in my drill press. I tried using a piece of Scotchbrite but the leather is better...doesn't deteriorate. I'm finding that the trick is to use a Sharpie to graph the piece of aluminum first. Been practicing but hard to keep it from looking like a goober job. Anyone? . Nice job here: . ~~~~~~~~~~ 
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Don . "Fully integrated people, in their transparency, tend to not be subject to mechanisms of defense, disguise, deceit, and fraudulence." - - Don R. 1994, an excerpt from My Ass From a Hole in the Ground - A Comparative View |
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09-05-2016, 09:53 AM
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Location: North of You
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I've done it with a brass wire wheel. The cone shaped ones. It's easy in a milling machine. You can set X and Y and keep them all the same, and you can set a depth stop.
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"A machine you build yourself is a vote for a different way of life. There are things you have to earn with your hands." |
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09-05-2016, 10:00 AM
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Location: Dismal Nitch, AZ
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Only drill press here.
I need to practice more, for sure. Thanks. . I have a coned Dremel steel brush...I'll experiment.  . PS Any photos of your work?
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Don . "Fully integrated people, in their transparency, tend to not be subject to mechanisms of defense, disguise, deceit, and fraudulence." - - Don R. 1994, an excerpt from My Ass From a Hole in the Ground - A Comparative View |
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09-05-2016, 10:07 AM
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Model Citizen
Join Date: May 2007
Location: The Voodoo Lounge
Posts: 19,039
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If I was gonna practice doing engine turning on a drill press, I might take the opportunity to set up a fence
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"I would be a tone-deaf heathen if I didn't call the engine astounding. If it had been invented solely to make noise, there would be shrines to it in Rome" |
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09-05-2016, 10:47 AM
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Quote:
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Rutager West 1977 911S Targa Chocolate Brown |
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09-05-2016, 12:00 PM
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Location: Dismal Nitch, AZ
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I downloaded some grids...printed out and am using them.
Just had to figure out 1/3 of a half inch. Somewhere around 1/6". What I've seen online is that 1/3 of the diameter of the turning tool looks best. .  . Here's my practice aluminum piece...my final piece will be on the flip side...it's mirror polished. Two different diameter turning tools. The 1/2" one is leather glued to a dowel and a hybrid of valve lapping compound and rubbing compound. . 
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Don . "Fully integrated people, in their transparency, tend to not be subject to mechanisms of defense, disguise, deceit, and fraudulence." - - Don R. 1994, an excerpt from My Ass From a Hole in the Ground - A Comparative View |
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09-05-2016, 06:32 PM
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B58/732
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Hot as Hell, AZ
Posts: 12,313
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What you're looking for is a Cratex cylinder. Mount on a mandrel and go to town.
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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ I don't always talk to vegetarians--but when I do, it's with a mouthful of bacon. |
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09-06-2016, 08:35 AM
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Quote:
Took me an hour last night to turn a 2" x 4" aluminum flat. Learned a lesson or two. Next time I'll make a jig so I don't have to be so careful of it not moving on the graph. Also, the turning is not as pronounced (deep) as I had hoped. . Finished, so far...need to make some cuts and holes now for the switches and mini meters. I love being retired...lots of silly but fun projects. . Thanks all. 
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Don . "Fully integrated people, in their transparency, tend to not be subject to mechanisms of defense, disguise, deceit, and fraudulence." - - Don R. 1994, an excerpt from My Ass From a Hole in the Ground - A Comparative View |
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09-06-2016, 09:10 AM
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B58/732
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Hot as Hell, AZ
Posts: 12,313
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The few items I've turned were with circular Scotch-Brite pads in my drill press. I was doing this on chromed steel, so going "too deep" was a concern.
After talking to a few bike builders I learned all about Cratex, but I've never had to turn anything since.
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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ I don't always talk to vegetarians--but when I do, it's with a mouthful of bacon. |
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09-06-2016, 01:51 PM
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Location: Dismal Nitch, AZ
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Do you remember the diameter of the discs, grit (color), and from where you got them?
The largest diameter I'd want is 1/2"...I could cut down a rectangular pad, I guess. I have many fresh green pads...but they're a bit too mild. Thanks.
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Don . "Fully integrated people, in their transparency, tend to not be subject to mechanisms of defense, disguise, deceit, and fraudulence." - - Don R. 1994, an excerpt from My Ass From a Hole in the Ground - A Comparative View |
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09-06-2016, 06:01 PM
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Location: Dismal Nitch, AZ
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What all the fuss was about re: engine turning on aluminum/brass.
Lascar DC gauge, switch, & Trail Tech Cly. Head Temp gauge on a '14 Royal Enfield Continental GT 535. Check out that cute little grommet in the upper right corner.  Thanks for the input, gents. . EMV 1200 | Panel Instruments . ~~~~~~~~ . 
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Don . "Fully integrated people, in their transparency, tend to not be subject to mechanisms of defense, disguise, deceit, and fraudulence." - - Don R. 1994, an excerpt from My Ass From a Hole in the Ground - A Comparative View |
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09-29-2016, 06:50 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fla panhandle / Roaming in my motorhome
Posts: 4,332
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Great job Don. That looks so nice in place. I'm thinking you are going to get many complements on that piece.
Cheers Richard |
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09-29-2016, 07:05 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Tustin. CA
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I talked to a buddy of mine that works at a shop that restores early American cars. (Think Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg)
He uses a mill with a mandrel, 3/8" hard felt, and lapping compound. 1/3 overlap is typical. He said Cratex and WD-40 would work good too. It takes him 2 days to do a Duesey dash... The shop works a 4-10...so that's 20 hours! Duesey dashes are pretty cool, they are engine turned brass but are coated with a black tinted lacquer. When looking into the car they appear almost black...but if the sun hits them you see the brass turning reflected through. Cooper |
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09-29-2016, 08:11 PM
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Location: Dismal Nitch, AZ
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Thanks, boys!
I found a 35 yr. old 3/8" Craytex (1 1/2" long) in my instrument tool box & used that with my drill press...after trying a few other ideas. Used a hybrid of rubbing compound & honing oil. Took me over an hr. to do that little aluminum & almost that to do the brass plate. I was careful to not touch while I rinsed them with naptha then hot sudsy water to clean them...not to mar/scratch. I went online and marveled at the engine turning artisans...unreal beauty. . Need to put down the fun stuff now and get a room painted.  .
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Don . "Fully integrated people, in their transparency, tend to not be subject to mechanisms of defense, disguise, deceit, and fraudulence." - - Don R. 1994, an excerpt from My Ass From a Hole in the Ground - A Comparative View |
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09-29-2016, 08:44 PM
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1977 Porsche 911S Targa
