Recent content by PRiggs78

Yes, sir. Basically use it for all small items still. For example: pistons, sleeves/liners, air rifle valves, barrel threading, etc. All things that fit that spindle bore of approx .80" (run stock through chuck). Though, have gotten bigger chucks over time in both 3 and 4 jaw configuration...

That lathe is no different than many found elsewhere for less. For example, the Harbor Freight 7x12; all of which are Asian (Chinese) made. For the same money and awesome customer service, look into the Grizzly G0765 lathe. It is the same price and bigger at 7x14 size. I have one which I...

We've all pretty much heard of the alum bath trick to remove drills, taps, and screws of ferrous makeup when broken off in aluminum. Not an engine part, but decided to share as an FYI. A lower trigger housing for a firearm I designed and made. While adding some detent holes for quick take...

Correct. With a bore of .79" and main ends at .375" and inner mains at .312", this particular design falls above those parameters. The only area concern here is the pin size .187". The pin size selected at .187" gets me the throw for the stroke. Do you suggest going to .25" on the pin? It...

Inner mains 5/16, main ends 3/8 riding in ball bearings. Connecting rod journal size is .1875" diameter. I've calculated the stresses on all points and this here is minimal size I'd go. This will allow for a more compact size that is more proportional to the stroke.

The inner main journal size is 5/16" with ends at 3/8", modeling off of a glow engine size. Inner main bearings will be brass, ball bearings supporting crank ends. Not certain how this will pan out! It's an experiment for sure!

A wee bit of progress made. Very proud of how this head turned out being the first engine ever for me. Didn't go too overboard with cooling fins since this engine will have a fan on front like a conventional 4 cylinder car engine. Plans to make a water cooled head if this ends up in a boat...

That's somewhat inherent to making a crankshaft, isn't it? The whole mess is unbalanced when cutting the con journals. I mean, the one journal being cut is on axis to the bore. The exception are all the rest. Unless one is cutting main journals, which is centerline of entire part. Am I...

Tried the little mail icon up top and generated a "conversation"... Not sure that is the mail feature here...

Yes sir. The biscuit method was totally overlooked. Definitely putting that in the learned folder.

I did think about the method of drilling five holes on each end of the round stock and use a dog and dead center on chuck side and live on tail stock; may give it a go, actually. Honestly, I think my issue became the lack of rigidity in my machine once the crank spins an unbalanced mass...

Didn't go so well today. Bummer. Truly annoyed and upset. Think my Grizzly G0765 14" lathe just doesn't have the rigidity to accomplish the task alone. Tried the work around to obtain necessary rotation, holding, etc... Started at the tail side and planned working toward the chuck. Got...

Went back to it.... Came up with a solution, I think. Seems rock solid. Round stock with offset hole for crank main to ride in at the appropriate distance. Milled three equal flats at 120 degrees so the little chuck can bite safely. Drilled and tapped some holes and slot cut 90 degrees from...

Made a little more progress earlier today. Unable to finish head assembly due to USPS mail woes. Seemingly the material is lost or stolen at Wisconsin facility (yeah, mail-in voting will be great!). Anyhow, did some crank work today with 1144 steel. Journal size is 5/16" undersized, paired...

Great job and thanks for sharing. I'm interested in learning about o'ringed pistons. Material, hardness, etc. Certainly removes a great deal of tolerance fitting rings require.