FOR MORE THAN JUST ROTORS AND DRUMS
Our brake lathe does not see as many rotors and drums as it once did but we are finding new uses for this great machine. With its large assortment of adapters and cones, it becomes a natural for mounting hard to hold parts for machining. When I need to cut an engine sleeve to length, I simply mount the sleeve on the brake lathe spindle using two cone adapters. I turn the cutting tool holder bar upside down and then mount a brake lathe tool bit in the tool holder. This same set up works great for machining lightly scored automatic transmission clutch drums and planetary gear sets which have been damaged from a worn out band. I use a magnetic base dial indicator to check my set up. After machining a clutch drum or planetary gear set, we polish the surface with our crankshaft belt polisher while it is still in the machine.
Jerry McLain
McLain’s Automotive Machine Shop
Cuba, MO
October, 2015
