Machine valve spring locators

[Mark Williams]

Can you cut a locator in a lathe to reduce it from .060 to .030? Need 8 .060 and 8 .030. Or are they so hard you will destroy the tools used?
I also need to open the hole from .570-.630 to fit the guide. I have the locators so thats why I ask, if I can modify what I have.

[KnightEngines]

Yep, done it plenty of times.
Hardening is usually only .010" deep or so & not really that hard.
Machine the bottom, use a carbide tip & lower rpm than you'd use for a tough steel.
Sometimes you'll have to knock the hard edge down where it sticks up above the freshly machined surface, belt sander works great.

[BOOT]

Yep, done it plenty of times.
Hardening is usually only .010" deep or so & not really that hard.
Machine the bottom, use a carbide tip & lower rpm than you'd use for a tough steel.
Sometimes you'll have to knock the hard edge down where it sticks up above the freshly machined surface, belt sander works great.

What's the most you machined them down?

[resurrectionjoe]

I've machined locators down to .030 - .035 thickness many times.

Are they I.D. or O.D. locators?

If I.D. locators what is the O.D. of the inner lip?

If your machining the I.D. to .630 you must have some meat left to locate the spring.

If they are I.D. locators and are thin in this area I'd leave them at .570 and machine the guide boss down to .565 if possible.

If O.D. locators its no problem to cut I.D. to .630

[Mark Williams]

I've machined locators down to .030 - .035 thickness many times.

Are they I.D. or O.D. locators?

If I.D. locators what is the O.D. of the inner lip?

If your machining the I.D. to .630 you must have some meat left to locate the spring.

If they are I.D. locators and are thin in this area I'd leave them at .570 and machine the guide boss down to .565 if possible.

If O.D. locators its no problem to cut I.D. to .630

Id locators. .790
They are Comp 4776-16, 4777-16 has same od diameter and .630 id so thought that was safe?

[resurrectionjoe]

You'll be fine.

Cut away

[BOOT]

I should of been more clear what's the thinnest

[KnightEngines]

Yep, done it plenty of times.
Hardening is usually only .010" deep or so & not really that hard.
Machine the bottom, use a carbide tip & lower rpm than you'd use for a tough steel.
Sometimes you'll have to knock the hard edge down where it sticks up above the freshly machined surface, belt sander works great.

What's the most you machined them down?

Around .030" is the thinnest I've gone.

[hoodeng]

Use a CBN insert. You can also trim hardened splines and shafts with these.

Cheers.

[resurrectionjoe]

I agree with Knight.

Wouldn't go thinner than .030