jeepnut24
Well-known member
I would like to pick up a straight edge I can use to check heads and blocks for warpage. Any suggestions? I found one other thread here, but it was for machine setup. Would those work?
Any straight edge suggestions?
- Thread starter jeepnut24
- Start date
APEowner
Well-known member
I bought mine off the Snap-On truck years ago but if I were to buy one today I'd probably get one of the Starretts from Enco http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=409&PARTPG=INLMK32
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
I just took a chunk of steel to the machine shop and had them mill it. More than accurate for checking a few thousandths on heads.
nate379
Banned
I just use my 4ft level. It says guaranteed straight to 0.005" so I figured that isn't too bad. Not sure if that's true or not but it's worked fine for me.
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10...ipment&cName=Hand+Tools&sName=Carpentry+Tools
Has come down alot in price, I paid around $40 for mine a few years ago.
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10...ipment&cName=Hand+Tools&sName=Carpentry+Tools
Has come down alot in price, I paid around $40 for mine a few years ago.
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rsanter
Well-known member
I have a snap on one
you can get them from machine supply places sometimes for decent money.
or, you can get a piece of cold rolled and get the edge surface ground.
if you are a student you might have a machine shop available? or do you know someone that does
bob
you can get them from machine supply places sometimes for decent money.
or, you can get a piece of cold rolled and get the edge surface ground.
if you are a student you might have a machine shop available? or do you know someone that does
bob
Packard V8
Well-known member
Two thoughts:
1. If you are only doing V8s and 4-cyls, 24" is long enough. Watch eBay for a Starrett or machinist's straight edge. They come through all the time.
2. And no, .005" is not nearly close enough for precision automotive work. We like to hold .0005" FWIW, we rarely pick up the straight edge for heads and block decks. It is SOP to mill every head and block. If the customer hasn't requested a line hone, we'll throw the straight edge in the main bearing bores to check for straightness. Some are, some aren't, but we're moving toward automatically honing all the main bores.
thnx, jack vines
1. If you are only doing V8s and 4-cyls, 24" is long enough. Watch eBay for a Starrett or machinist's straight edge. They come through all the time.
2. And no, .005" is not nearly close enough for precision automotive work. We like to hold .0005" FWIW, we rarely pick up the straight edge for heads and block decks. It is SOP to mill every head and block. If the customer hasn't requested a line hone, we'll throw the straight edge in the main bearing bores to check for straightness. Some are, some aren't, but we're moving toward automatically honing all the main bores.
thnx, jack vines
Thats some great info, thanks. Im just looking to replace a few head gaskets and possibly an engine rebuild or two. Right now a 4cyl and hopefully a VR6 in the future. I hope to use it to determine the state of my engine block and head after I blew the head gasket.
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nate379
Banned
I'm used to working on "junk" so a straight edge that is off 0.005" on 4ft is plenty enough to me to be able to tell if the head is warped or not.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
http://www.tooltopia.com/central-tools-central-lighting-6429.aspx
The General model is the one I have. Make sure you store it properly. Anything longer and it would be real difficult to check block surfaces in the vehicle.
The General model is the one I have. Make sure you store it properly. Anything longer and it would be real difficult to check block surfaces in the vehicle.
boogerboy72
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2009
- Messages
- 212
add me to the list of people that work on "junk"
http://www.tooltopia.com/central-tools-central-lighting-6429.aspx
The General model is the one I have. Make sure you store it properly. Anything longer and it would be real difficult to check block surfaces in the vehicle.
What is proper storage?
djjsr
Well-known member
Use a piece of Starrett oil hardened ground stock. It comes in various thicknesses and it's very precise. You can probably find it on e-bay if you can't find it locally. I used the same piece for over 10 years before someone "borrowed" it.
xstubsx
Well-known member
... im straight edge =)
ihredo4
Well-known member
+1 on this. I got mine at Kunz Bros in Freeport Illinois. It is precision ground stock from some tool vendor. 1/8 thick 1.5" tall and 30 or 36" long and true to .0005" IIRC. It was half the price of a straight edge from Starrett to.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Hanging... in it's box with maybe a light coat of 3 in one oil on it. You just don't want a bunch of **** piled on it.
caper
Well-known member
You may want to recheck that spec.The link you posted shows it as .0005" PER INCH.A precision straitedge would have a spec closer to .0002" per 12".
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Busted_Knuckles
Well-known member
I picked one up at a Government Motors auction for $5, brand new, kent moore, was issued in some 4 banger FWD transmission tool kit that you cant give away, I eyeballed the straight edge, and pitched the rest of the tools in my "destruction when necessary" pile of tools. One of the those things I wasnt looking for, but stumbled over it.