Re: Re: Lapping valves on 45-SLP


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Posted by Daniel C. Oberloh on January 13, 2003 at 16:56:35:

In Reply to: Re: Lapping valves on 45-SLP posted by David on January 12, 2003 at 22:57:09:

I am guessing that some work is being confused with other types, but I am not sure with what that might be. Buffing pistons on a polishing lathe (buffing machine)!?!?!?!?

My training and experience says this is an absolute NO! NO! Maybe in a pinch and ONLY at the very ends of the piston AWAY from the ports and ONLY to remove something other than metal. Block lapping is the way to do even surface preparation, whereas buffing has little control and can really screw things up in a hurry. After all, we are talking about a precise mechanism that has tolerances of .001" and is rather sensitive to how it is handled.

If the pistons are lightly lapped with a very fine compound and then block lapped with Ultrasmooth compound you should get very good results. Lee is right to recommend cleaning. Be sure to have the work done by a tech that knows their stuff.

Sorry if I stepped on a few toes.

Daniel C. Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
www.oberloh.com




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