Shop Tips #17

By Dick Raczuk

Fender Roller

Here is a photo of a fender roller I borrowed. I don't know the manufacture of this jewel, but it might give you an idea on how to fab your own. If somebody recognizes it, let me know and I will post the brand name. Anyway, I used it on my Hollywood and it worked out pretty good. The pressure is adjusted by the threaded handle at the back. Flange was welded on to fit in a vise, that way you can use it as a mini wheel.

Update from Richard Crees: "The hand roller in the first photo is sold by CV Products. It's called the Bill Wheel. Lists at $595.00."

HOLDUM

Holding on to a threaded piece without damaging the threads can be tricky at times. I recently had to modify a fitting and came up with this solution. Just find the correct die and screw the part in. Now it will have to be an adjustable die with the screw backed out. Usually these threads are pretty much on center so it should index up without too much fiddling. If you do need to line it up, it will be easier with the threading die. Most of the time with projects like this, close is good.

SEESAW

If you are looking for a quick way to find center on a piece of round, use this method. It will not get you perfect, but darn close. Use a pointed tool to apply pressure to the scale

Straight slots

The next time you need to cut a slot , you might try this method. There is a good chance you already know about this. But just in case, here we go. Drill some equally spaced undersized hole in the middle of the slot. Start with a small pilot and increase to a size just under your finished slot dimension.

Then, take your final cut with your on size cutter . If the slot needs to be very accurate, you will have to use an undersized cutter and cut each side to size. This part just has some hoses running through it, so it's not that fussy. If you look closely you will notice the slot is in the middle of two pieces. This was necessary so I could take it apart and run some hoses through it. It is an oil filter station.

To put a radius on the edge of the station was simple. I used my router with a carbide radius cutter. Remember to go in the right direction and you will get a nice finish.

Machining Rubber

Chances are pretty slim you will ever have to machine a piece of rubber. BUT just in case, here is how I did it. I had to bore a nitrile hose so I could save all the time I put into making my clamps. I made 3, ended up using one. I needed to bore the hose about .060 to save it. Here are the steps: 

1. If you are going to cut the O.D. cement the hose to a mandrel. I used spray on contact cement. I had to turn the I.D. so I used the clamp itself for support. Spray on the contact cement and fit the hose to your holder. Then I put the holder (clamp) and hose into my 6 jaw. 

2.  It's kind of hard to describe how to grind your cutting tool, but the more of a knife edge you can put on it, the better it will work. Personally, I think I got lucky. The tool is not going to create chips. It will take a sliver of material out. I used a slow speed and soapy water spray. The soapy spray is the reason the whole thing works in the first place. As the tool is cutting, spray the mixture into the cut. My guess is it keeps the tool from biting in???? Now if you had to turn a profile, the process is different. Have never tried this, but freezing the rubber with liquid nitrogen will stiffen the material up enough to machine it. My suggestion is, figure out another way to solve your problem. 

3. Here is the sliver of material.

4.Finished hose fitted into the clamp.

-- Dick