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SEAL SPLITTER
Those metal-jacket-only valve seals are very hard to remove. I have a very small scribe-type tool that I ground to an angle to split the seal for easier removal. It took about 10 minutes or less to remove 16. Randy Torvinen Torvinen Machine Menahga, MN
CHARITY IS THE SOLUTION
Shop Solutions is usually tips about how to do a specific operation, or something about parts or your business. This one is about giving, and it’s time that this was shared with those who follow and participate. Three of our top Shop Solution contributors not only...
ROUND STOCK, STOCK
If you've ever had to make a locating dowel pin, plug, or any misc. part from round stock, you know how frustrating it is if you don't have the right size material on hand. Instead of grabbing a bolt or an old valve stem, I keep a couple of inexpensive transfer punch...
IF YOU LOVE IT, LUBE IT
For anyone running an old boring stand like ours where the bar sits directly on the deck I've found that dry Teflon lube is really helpful. It makes it much easier to slide the bar around and keeps it from scratching the surface. Any wet lubricants would hold chips...
QUICK 4-JAW
My lathe does have a 4-jaw chuck, but this small one is quicker and easier for small jobs that need to be precise. I machined up a spud for the small chuck, and I just chuck it in the lathe's 3-jaw. It saves a lot of time. Randy Torvinen Torvinen Machine Menahga,...
PILOT RUNOUT FIX
I needed a spring seat cutter pilot that wouldn't hurt the guides on a special set of heads. I tried 3 different pilots that came with the cutters I have and couldn't get better than .005 runout. I used a Chevy oil pump shaft as that's excellent material to make...
