Hi, I need to lathe out the central hole in a iron counterweight from 1" to 1.25". Does anyone know a workshop which could do this work for reasonable cost? Ta.
Greg
Drive around a light industrial area and scope out a small business/workshop that's likely to have a lathe and looks like it does jobs for neighbouring businesses, then rock up on a friday arvo with a carton/slab under one arm and the job under the other arm.....
I bought a counterweight a couple of months ago to do exactly that! I had to bore it out about 4 or 5 mm so just I put it on the lathe and ran a boring bar down the middle.
After several attempts, I came to the conclusion that it was case hardened.... I ended up having to throw it out and buy a piece of brass bar and bored that out. Eventually, I actually made up a extension for the counterweight bar instead which works a treat...should have done it in the first place.
Hi GReilly--try an engine reconditioning shop such as Repco or whatever you have in your area they have lathes and generally charge less than an engineering shop.
Shame you dont live in Melbourne I would gladly do it for you --10 minute job and if you had to pay with a slab of beer =$46+--OUCH that would be a ripoff!
Hi Greg, Try looking up your local miniature steam railway club. Often they have many members with lathes, milling machines etc. Once you make contact and explain your task, they might do it for you for a small donation to their club or running operations? Just a thought out of left field.
Maybe you could drill it out yourself.
The drill shouldn't have too much problem - theres not a lot of material to remove, but you'll need a drill press and something to clamp it.
Drills this diameter can bite savagely.
Send the c/weight to me here in Winmalee and I'll bore it out for you. Australia Post only charge $7.20 up to 20kg for delivery. I'll send it back to you the same way. Let me know the dimensions of the c/weight.
What's the outside diameter of the counterweight?
I'd be happy to do it but I only have a small lathe which limits the size of the workpiece it can hold.
[Plus I'd only charge a 6 pack of Coopers Sparkling Ale - it's worth 2 dozen of anything else ]
I ended up having to throw it out and buy a piece of brass bar and bored that out. Eventually, I actually made up a extension for the counterweight bar instead which works a treat...should have done it in the first place.
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