The Diesel Project

[Oddball Matt]

Since I`m an electronics tech by training (though never worked a single day as one) I got all sorts of soldering irons, for example a 30w Antex sharp tip for all the fiddly bits, a quick electric gun for single wire solders, and a soldering station for longer projects. Yet I continuously find the ONLY iron I`m really using is the Dremel Versatip gas pen, that thing is just so damn handy, heats up quick and no cord to mind. Not a paid ad, just a happy user. On my second one and not that long ago sent one as a birthday present to a friend in Latvia who seemed to appreciate his as well.

[cheesy]

Originally Posted by Oddball Matt

Since I`m an electronics tech by training (though never worked a single day as one) I got all sorts of soldering irons, for example a 30w Antex sharp tip for all the fiddly bits, a quick electric gun for single wire solders, and a soldering station for longer projects. Yet I continuously find the ONLY iron I`m really using is the Dremel Versatip gas pen, that thing is just so damn handy, heats up quick and no cord to mind. Not a paid ad, just a happy user. On my second one and not that long ago sent one as a birthday present to a friend in Latvia who seemed to appreciate his as well.

I have something similar that I keep in the trunk of the shop car. Handy as all get out. Might have used it if the Weller wasn't right in front of me. I also have a whack of soldering equipment. Mrs.C bought me a really fancy solder station for my gadget work in 2020. I'm slowly weening myself from my basic station to the new one. A bit more thinking to get it going, but it is so much nicer to use.

[cheesy]

Okay, it must have been dyslexic Saturday. The receipt for the solder gun and bits was September 8, 1956. Not 1965. So, it's the same age as I am. And yes, it's old.

Glad I had it today. I was able to knock out the six wire harness and install the plugs on the control box and engine in a bit over two hours.

[cheesy]

The tubing notcher showed up yesterday AND we finished up our job in New Jersey early, so heading back home tomorrow. Looks like I can sneak a couple extra days in on this before heading to Denver next Monday.

[Bob Kelly]

Interesting idea for sure ! another possibility is just hook a hydraulic pump to the motor shaft and run a hydraulic motor to the rear chain... that way you have an infinitely variable transmission, in the valve alone.... and a final output of 1:1 !!!!! which is plenty fast ! yes the hydraulic parts are expensive but look what you would have when you were done !
...
the question is how much HP are you looking at with the diesel engine ?
if it's under 10hp you will struggle to get past 60mph on a good day i'd say 12 to 15 hp is minimal for a commuter !
....
Bob.....

[cheesy]

Hydraulics had already been considered. It’s something I work with on a daily basis. Not enough ponies in the corral to get the GPM needed. The little knocker is about 7hp, a little anemic for the needed pump and motor. To run at speed, you’d also need at least a 1.5 gallon tank, cooler, relief valve for pressure and a return filter.

This is just a toy to give the guys in MC club I belong to something else to shake their heads at.

[cheesy]

The tube notcher arrived a day early and I came home from a road trip two days early. Time to expand on the mistake...er...the experience pile.

[cheesy]

Well, that ended quickly. The tube notcher...um...got a one star rating and a scathing review on Amazon. I'm wondering if the design engineer is an effing half-wit and why we haven't hired the clown. I'm trying to figure out how anyone can think that an M12x1.5 threaded arbor will be compatible with the 1/2"-20 thread used in hole-saws under 1 1/4" and the internal thread on the adapter for the larger hole-saws.
I didn't look but with the amount of slop in the guide, I doubt there is the advertised bronze bushing in there, either.

Now, as I rarely back down from a mechanical challenge, I decided to make this work like it should instead of return it. I took the shaft to my buddies' machine shop to have the metric thread cut off, bore and tap to 1/2"-20, then Loc-Tite a 1/2"-20 set screw in place as an arbor. That'll cost me a couple of six packs. Once I get the shaft back, I'll mic for a bushing on each end of the guide.


Then get my tubes notched.

[cheesy]

Originally Posted by cheesy

I didn't look but with the amount of slop in the guide, I doubt there is the advertised bronze bushing in there, either.

Yeah, no bushing. Bored out the block to press in two 22mm (7/8") flange oil-lite bushings. The bushing ID is 18mm, the shaft is a tad under 19mm (3/4"). I have a set of Eastwood adjustable reamers so I used one to take the minimum amount of material off the bushings to make sure I have good alignment. Kind of like doing king pins. The alignment is dead nuts.

[cheesy]

The shaft is finished already. Too late to run to Elgin today, but that's the plan for tomorrow.

[cheesy]

Got the notcher bushings reamed and put it back together. Tried it on a tube for the bike with my 36V Bosch 1/2" wrist breaker. Works good. I should have bought one of these years ago. Just not this one.

[JerryHawk250]

Is it me or is Cheesy not posting pictures of this progress?

[cheesy]

If there were any progress, there'd be pictures.

[cheesy]

Progress.


One more square tube to notch then tack it all together and see what's still wrong.

[cheesy]

A bit more done today but left my phone in the house. Everything that has been fabbed has been tacked in place. Thinking about adding two more cross members, but we will see. I plan on using riv-nuts to bolt the lump in place. I have that laid out and pilot holes drilled but stopped there for the day because the OD of the 3/8-16 riv-nuts is .525 and my largest drill is .500.

I'm finding I get more done working on this about 2.5 hours a day instead of all day. Just wish I didn't need to spend so much time searching for the tool that I just had in my hand.