Small honing tools

Hi guys,

Where do I get small honing tools. I was thinking of 3/4", and even smaller. I need these to finish stirling engine cilinders. Or maybe there's someone out there using homemade honing tools, and is willing to share his idea..?

Thanks in advance

Chris

For such an application lapping is much easier than (real) honing. Small honing tools are available, but at a price driving water into your eyes!!! Google pemamo.

A lapping tool can even made from hard wood, and Chinese diamond pastes are cheap.

Greetings, Hansrudolf

For precision lapping such as in model engine or similar, use rod or ring (in case lapping at rod to example) made of copper, brass or cast iron + lapping paste.

Chris,

Go to **LINK** and download the Bruce Engineering catalogue. On about page 70 (the pages are not numbered) you will see a 1/2" to 1 1/4" cylinder hone for about £15. Have one, works fine.

David

Edited By David Littlewood on 27/09/2012 23:10:59

Chris

They are on ebay as well for about £12.00 -£15.00

Those three legged hones that Bruce and others sell are not true hones, they are what used to be called a "Glaze Buster".

A true hone will bring a tapered or out of round hole back true again, the spring loaded type will not as they just follow the existing bore.

I am not criticising the spring loaded type because they do have their uses, just pointing out that they are not a cheap alternative to a proper Delapena type hone.

I agree with the other comments above, just make a split lap and do it that way. Very easy and very cheap.

Phil

Also consider a lead lap, easy to make by casting lead into a mould with a BMS rod to hold it--make a fair bit oversize then turn to size and "load" with lapping paste -- cuts like a dream and will produce a round parallel hole. You can also add a tapered pin to expand the lap as required.

        I find a wooden lap is adiquate for my Stirling Engines, I put a cut down the center of it, an either use a little wooden wedge, or a wood screwin the end to expand the lap. When you finish the course grit, change to another bit of wood for the finer stuff, I sometimes go from brass polish to toothpaste to finish, just to get a mirror like surface.

        I must try the lead lap, got about 200Kg of lead, so that will go a long way.    IanS C

Edited By Ian S C on 28/09/2012 11:59:48

You been up on the church roof again Ian?

Roy