1-800-533-8010 | 507-452-1830
156 Galewski Dr. | Winona, MN 55987
For such a small part, the valve guide is pretty important. In fact, I’d say it’s the foundation for the rest of the cylinder head.
Valve guides support the valves and help keep them running cool. If the guides are worn, you’ll have increased oil consumption and decreased cooling of the valves. Remember 25% of a valve’s cooling depends on heat transfer from the stem to the valve guide.
Last time we started discussing Cleaning Solutions for the Machine Shop with a quick overview of detergents. This time we’re finishing up our look at cleaning solutions with an overview of glass beads, tumbler media and shot.
One of the most widely used cleaning media is the glass bead. Glass beads are primarily used to blast engine components free of carbon base soils and oxidation. Blasting is done in a cabinet to contain and recycle the media being used.
There are 2 cleaning methods that we’re going to talk about this month – Cold Solution and Hot Solution Both have their merits and both have their downsides. Continue reading for more on Cold and Hot Cleaning Solutions.
Let’s talk a little bit about Flex-Hones®. You may know them as ball hones or dingleberry hones, grape hones … gotta love creative machinists!
By definition, the flex-hone® is a resilient, flexible, honing tool with a soft cutting action. So what does that mean? It means that flex-hones® adjust to the cylinder surface. That’s why they’re used after the cylinder has been sized with rigid honing stones.
It’s not as easy as it sounds. Choosing the right brake lathe cutting tip, that is. There are a few questions you need to ask yourself before you decide on the tip you need. Keep reading to learn more.
We get a lot of questions about Flex-Hones® and Ultra-Finish Plateau Hones so in this week’s Tech Tip I’ll give a quick explanation on the differences between them.
The most common Flex-Hone® is made of silicon-carbide. This is a silicon-carbide ball, affixed to a flexible nylon filament, connected to a drive shaft, driven by a portable drill. They are used to hone cast iron cylinders. Silicon-carbide is a strong, blocky abrasive that wears well and removes material quickly.