Hi there guy's - had a real good day in the shop today- two con-rods, two comp screws and a start on the cylinder head bolts - not much left to do now ;D
Prior to doing the Eta engines I had always fought shy of turned con -rods because of the perceived difficulty of dealing with the 'second' ball end. In fact when drawing the Etas the rods were done as rectangular section. However the S&J version
had to have a turned one and the following method evolved :idea: It proved so successful the two blanks for the other two Etas were discarded and they then had the 'correct' turned rods too.
A few more pics then
......
The material used for the rods is HE15 aluminium. This is the first time I have used this and found it easy to machine producing a good finish. Going by the 'feel of things' it's not as tough as the Alumec 89 used previously for these parts but it's a recommended grade for con rods so I'm fairly certain it will handle the task.
Apart from drilling the oil hole the rods were made entirely on the lathe, the holes for the big and small ends drilled and reamed using the milling attachment, the big end toward the tailstock. I have convinced myself today that a VFD motor would definitely be an improvement - the unit is too fast for reaming so that has to be done by turning the spindle by the draw bar knurled wheel with one hand and turning the cross slide at the same time with the other. Bit like patting your head and rubbing your tum but it works.
The bar was then reduced - that tool again, cutting on the 'back stroke'
A couple of radius tools were milled from gauge plate (GFS) and hardened but not tempered. I find setting this equal about the hole is easily done by marking up and getting the land each side equal before plunging the tool in.
The OD of the rod was turned .2mm up so as that ink fades in the centre of the radius there's just .1mm left. Once it fades the inward movement stops leaving the tool to take the spring out of the cut which just about takes care of that .1mm
Next is to turn the shaft taper and flare in to the big end leaving sufficient for shaping the little end on the next op. If doing more than one it pays to make a note of the settings.
A quick whizz with some 400 grit wet and dry, paraffin and oil and a piece of Garryflex and its ready to part off.
Next up was to take a short (about 18mm) length of 1/2" ali and face each end. The con rod was measured across the shank about 18mm up from the big end and a drill of this size was run through. It was then bored at the same taper as the rods so that the taper ran out as it reached the far end. Quickly smoothed with some 400 on a stick it was then cut in half and deburred.
The rod can now be held in the collet chuck with sufficient grip to radius the small end
A couple of drawn Phosphor Bronze bushes were turned for the big ends. Reamed 6mm, the OD's are .02mm up such that once pressed home the bore requires slight lapping to achieve a precise fit on the crank pin
Finished save one small op and two more radius tools. Despite all those made for the Waller and Etas engine not one of the radii required :
That last op then was to drill the oil hole in the big end. Held in place on a small bush by hand, the angle determined by resting on the vise jaw.
Well that's another couple of parts finished. Once the head bolts are done the spray bars and needle valves will get tackled next to get the brass out of the way before finally lapping the liner and making the pistons. Not long to go now at all
Regards for now - Ramon