Recent content by arnie

How about some old window weights?

I built a few boilers and used something called phoscopper rod. Used 8 inch copper pipe and plate for the ends concaved in. It static pressure tested to 300 pounds and the sides bulged a little but not at the joints so it held. It took a lot of heat using bricks and a gas burner to create enough...

I have an early one, I think Harbor Freight was called something else at the time and didn't have many if any retail stores.

There is a chemical that attacks hard steel and not aluminum, I can't remember what it's called but I'm sure a little research can be done. It's a simple chemical you could buy at a hobby shop or big toy store.

In my days as a M?C mechanic the top inside edge of the rings had a bevel that let the compression leak around them a little and push the rings outward to seal in the bore.

Thanks for that information. It was suggested by someone that had done this but was not a South Bend lathe. I will have to ask him what lathe he has.

Anyone use a reamer to enlarge the spindle borehole? I have a 9 inch South Bend that is 3/4 inch. I wonder how much bigger I could go if it's even possible?