VALVE TOOLS
Got tired of fussing with dissasembly of the tank/valve/retainer so made up a couple quick tools tonight. A “spanner” for the brass valve stem guide; and a “valve socket” for removing the valve from the tank.
The retainer wrench is aluminum w/ SS spanner pins.
The Valve Socket is threaded on one side to allow a dowel pin to engage the hole in the side of the valve body; top of the socket milled to a hex to allow use of an impact socket on an air driver. Just a short “brrp” and the valve is loosened without leaving any marks and withouth having to improvise a way to hold the tank in a vise.
Should’ve done this a long time ago.
And yes, I’m going to replace the “bolt/pin” with one made for the purpose, much shorter and a nice knurled thumbscrew type knob on the end. Just didn’t get that far today. Works like a charm.
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Those are some slick tools! 😯
Nice work!!! 😀
EXCELLENT!! Now..how did you cut the hex? indexing head, rotary table or did you scribe it?
Thanks shrpshotr28 😛 Nice set of tools ❗ ❗
Where is a good place to get started learning machining? I suppose owning the tools would be a good place. 🙄
check with a local junior collage, they usually have a machine shop corse, or at the very lease a standard metal shop corse with some lathes to play with
Where is a good place to get started learning machining? I suppose owning the tools would be a good place. 🙄
If one considers running a brake lathe machining, that’s how I started. Always been VERY mechanically inclined, so bought tools, read a bunch and pretty much taught myself.
On a more serious note, check your local community college or trade school; individual classes are normally very affordable and a great way to get some “hands on” without having to buy equipment before you know if it is a hobby for you.
That is so sexy one should come with each new AF rifle.
Where is a good place to get started learning machining? I suppose owning the tools would be a good place. 🙄
Wow, very cool.
thnks for the compliment. I’d just call it a fast learning curve. Still much room for improvement.
After raiding the scrap bin for the first one and it working well, I did another from new stock, with refinements which I am very happy with. Knurled “lock screw” is one piece stainless. Almost like it was made just for the job at hand.. 🙄 🙄
Damn your good!!!!!! 😯
That looks great. I went old school with mine
Here is what I use about $3 at Harbour Freight
And for the valve I took an old airsource bottle and cut it. Then opened it up a bit to fit over the valve, drilled a hole and then place it over the valve and insert a bolt. Then I monkey wrench the collar and off it comes!
Since a lot of the folks likely to disassemble valves multiple times also have machine tool access, I mainly wanted to share the setup; but if someone would like a set, feel free to shoot me a PM.
GOOD LOOKING KNURLING!!
mark
Hmmm . . . have you thought about adding valve tool kits to the things you sell? 🙂
The setup I really taking shape real fast. You are in the fast lane for sure. Keep at the innovative work and keep us up to date.
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Lathe turned to “major diameter” (across the points)….probably wrong terminology but forgive me as I’ve been teaching myself and haven’t an ounce of formal schooling.
Rotary table mounted to the mill table for the flats. 3/4″ endmill. lock the x-axis and cut with the y. Index the rotary between cuts.
Thanks for the compliment, can only wish for a setup like yours. I’ve still got much to learn but think things are turning out pretty darn good for just a few months of self-teaching.