THE WIGGLER When using a wiggler to center a mill spindle on a center punch mark or layout lines, many machinists use a pencil to push on the wiggler's pointer, until it runs true. However, risk of injury occurs when the pointer is pushed a tiny bit too far, and...
THE FOUR WAY SLIDE We often times trust our senses. I trust my sense of touch in what I call, The Four Way Slide. The bounce test works, but this concentricity test tells you more. I slide the valve against the seat to the back, right, left, and back towards me. If...
BLENDING CYLINDER SLEEVES In order to blend the bottom of a cylinder repair sleeve to the step, I have found it best to indicate the boring bar on the lower portion of the old cylinder that is left from leaving a bottom step. After installing the sleeve, the ID needs...
MAKE IT TALLER Frustrated with my dowel pin puller not always working to remove the stubborn deck pins, I will put a few tack welds on an old rocker stud placed on top of the dowel pin. Anything would work, though a length of all thread might be best. Then I take a...
KNOCKING OFF THE EDGES Before installing cam bearings, make sure to chamfer any oil holes and clean up back grooves of any sharp edges. This is especially critical with aluminum blocks. I like to give these areas a little buff on the mounted wheel to finish. This will...
EASY MOUNTING When I need to mill something that's hard to set-up and hold, I use this 19" 3"x4" 3/8" thick angle iron. I just bolt on the head, ex manifold or whatever won't work out on the machine's mounting plate. I'll mill slots for even more universal mounting if...