The Craftmans Shop > Model Engineering
Side Valve i.c. engine from Bar stock
Brian Rupnow:
This is going to be---well--tricky. There is no great science in the cylinder itself, other than having to hold my breath for minutes at a time while I plunge cut the 3/8" deep grooves with my .093" wide HSS parting off tool. The tricky bit will be in machining the three different levels of "flat" without breaking any fins in the process. I am told not to use cutting fluid when machining cast iron. Any good advice would be well appreciated before I get too deeply into this.---Brian
Stilldrillin:
That's a great pic, Brian! :thumbup:
Tomorrow's the big day, for our Little One, to start, "big school".......
David d
Brian Rupnow:
As I understand it, grey pearlitic cast iron has a high graphite content, and as a consequence it is self lubricating. That is why it is popular for use in engine blocks and cylinder liners. Of course, this explains why you don't NEED coolant/lubrication when machining it, but it doesn't explain WHY you shouldn't use lubrication/coolant when machining it. I just googled it, and the Sandvic website confirmed what I thought about not needing lubricant, but it didn't say anything about not being supposed to use lubricant. On a deep plunge cut like the fins require, I would think that the use of lubricant would help flush out chips and keep the tool from grabbing and/or binding, but I don't know for sure.
chipenter:
Cutting cast iron prduces dust wich clumps up with coolant and just forms a paste , air will blow the swarf away and with a slow speed won't get to hot , or use a rear tool post .
philf:
Brian,
Just a thought.
Have you considered using a slitting saw to machine the fins? You could machine the flats first and then set the cylinder up on a rotary table.
I am hoping that my grandson shows some interest in the workshop - I've a long wait as he's only 21 months old!
Cheers.
Phil
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