here's a method for backyard machining that is effective and quick for future reference.
this method can be used on heads as well as manifolds.
get a heavy 3/8" or thicker plate of glass larger than the piece to be flattened a foot bigger should suffice.
get roll abrasive 12" wide wet/dry 100 or 80 grit if you got some serious removal to do.
spray the 3m 77 or equivalent contact adhesive to the glass and a squirt on the backing.
let set,
roll out then apply paper to glass.
roll out with urethane roller to prevent air inclusions.
i put down a few drops of water over the surface and set the manifold down.
give a push and a pull gently where it feels balanced and straight. i kinda use the feel and sight method...
if it looks good and feels good go with it!! don't press down, let the weight of the casting do the work.
apply a figure 8 motion gently slide the work around. after a few strokes inspect the casting suface.
as a matter of fact aluminum be very careful 120 grit is probably best, and lots and lots of water to clear the paper easier.
re wet the paper and repeat until sufficiently flat.
you can, of course,check with a straight edge and measure the thickness during the process to QC the endevour.
i have used this method countless times on everything from flat head industrial engines, to datsun car flywheels,
to clutch plates in my yamaha yzf426, vacuum pump sealing surfaces,hydraulic pump repairs, really too many to list
but it works and cheaper than a machine or machine shop.
i do it some times out of shear necessity, sometimes just for fun!!!
i hope the backyard horizontal surfacing machine helps someone in a bind, or just want to learn another way to skin a cat.
this method can be used on heads as well as manifolds.
get a heavy 3/8" or thicker plate of glass larger than the piece to be flattened a foot bigger should suffice.
get roll abrasive 12" wide wet/dry 100 or 80 grit if you got some serious removal to do.
spray the 3m 77 or equivalent contact adhesive to the glass and a squirt on the backing.
let set,
roll out then apply paper to glass.
roll out with urethane roller to prevent air inclusions.
i put down a few drops of water over the surface and set the manifold down.
give a push and a pull gently where it feels balanced and straight. i kinda use the feel and sight method...
if it looks good and feels good go with it!! don't press down, let the weight of the casting do the work.
apply a figure 8 motion gently slide the work around. after a few strokes inspect the casting suface.
as a matter of fact aluminum be very careful 120 grit is probably best, and lots and lots of water to clear the paper easier.
re wet the paper and repeat until sufficiently flat.
you can, of course,check with a straight edge and measure the thickness during the process to QC the endevour.
i have used this method countless times on everything from flat head industrial engines, to datsun car flywheels,
to clutch plates in my yamaha yzf426, vacuum pump sealing surfaces,hydraulic pump repairs, really too many to list
but it works and cheaper than a machine or machine shop.
i do it some times out of shear necessity, sometimes just for fun!!!
i hope the backyard horizontal surfacing machine helps someone in a bind, or just want to learn another way to skin a cat.