Very old hand held valve lapping tool

[Cadman56]

I purchased this tool on an on-line auction a few months ago. Auctioneer didn't know what it was and stated they thought it was used to mix things. I knew what it was when I saw it. I used one of these to lap the valves in the first car I bought when I was sixteen. My dad helped me rebuild the engine and he had one of these tools. Anyway, I cleaned it up and did some investigating. It was made by Albertson & Co. in Siou City, IA. The valve grinder has a patent #1,282,018. It was applied for on Sept 20, 1917 and was granted on Oct 22, 1918. I think the one my dad had was probably my grand-fathers.
Now for my question. Does anyone know where I can get suction cups for this? At the end of the shaft there is a slot and a small hole drilled through the shaft at 90° to the slot. Any help/info on this tool would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[lilredex]

A picture would help. Those are a usual hardware store item.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Now for my question. Does anyone know where I can get suction cups for this? At the end of the shaft there is a slot and a small hole drilled through the shaft at 90° to the slot. Any help/info on this tool would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

From what you're describing (a photo is essential), it's not the suction cup type.

Early valve lappers were pieces of metal with two pin-like appendages that would be inserted into a slot on either side of the head of the valve. The back of the attachment was pinned to a shank exactly as you're describing. The small hole is for the pin. The shank could part of a little egg beater hand crank jobbie or a speed brace made just for lapping, or to a special 1/2-inch drive socket inserted into a regular speed brace. If you search on 'valve lapper', 'valve lapping attachment,' and similar terms you will find several threads where the subject has been discussed in detail, including examples of each of the types I described above, including my own.

 

[Cadman56]

Oops... I knew I forgot something. Here is a pic.

 

[four.cycle]

I don't know if this will be of any help:
http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=1980

The patent drawings do not show the suction cup:

 

[four.cycle]

"Early valve lappers were..."

... of both configurations, apparently:



We used to sell those wood-handled units with the suction cups at each end in "Car Aid" (which seems like yet another appropriate addition to the list.)
(They were located in New Jersey, btw, but I cannot remember the address or city name. I'm sure it will come to me later.)

I think lawnmower shops still sell those tools. Maybe check a local lawnmower shop and see if the rubber cups on the end match up to what you need?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Oops... I knew I forgot something. Here is a pic.

It's the kind that did not take a suction cup, it took a steel attachment with two pin-like points as I described above. The attachments came in many different types and sizes (spacing of the pin-like points) as not all valves were the same. I have one from Duro Metal Products. Or Zim.

The patent drawings do not show the suction cup:

Because it's the other kind.

... of both configurations, apparently:

I'm not exactly sure of the sequencing, but I was under the impression the suction cups came later. Not later as in modern, just later. I could be wrong. Even if they were in parallel, or even if the suction cups came first, the kind he has is not the suction cup kind. His end wants a pinned attachment.

 

[wrenchguy]

the cup could still be slipped on. one of the advantages of the cotter fastening.

 

[Cadman56]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I searched and found the pinned attachment that goes on the end of the shaft that I have. I didn't know valves used to have slots or dimples in then for this type of attachment. I cleaned out all the dried up grease that was in the body of this lapping tool. How much grease should be used to lube up the gears inside? I'm going to coat the gears, but do you put any extra in there someplace for the gears to run through? Thanks again for all your help and info!!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

dimples

THAT's the word I was looking for! HAHA. Nice tool. Enjoy it.

 

[Jc2043]

I know this is an old thread but I just picked up one of these Duro Metal valve lappers. It has both the metal and suction cup working ends as seen on the box cover. I’m not sure what I’ll ever use it for but $10 I couldn’t let it sit...


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[d42jeep]

That’s a nice one. I like the lettering. I have a Dunlap one in the Dunlap box that Username sent me.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

"The lettering," as Don pointed out, is fantabulous! Compare to my Duro No. 411, which is downright plain in comparison. Seriously, I have seen some really fancy Duro script, but that one takes the cake. Art Nouveau. And, if that is a patent number I see on your crank handle, it means they went from plain to fancy from the No. 411 to the No. 711. (Between yours and my model numbers, we sure have the scoop/info and the convenience store allusions covered! ) On a more serious note, I am wondering what the model number difference signifies, if anything, in terms of capability. These are reciprocating lappers. You keep turning the handle in one direction and the gearing inside that can reverses the directions of the shaft automatically back and forth for the lapping motion.

 

[Cadman56]

Jc2043 - That is a nice one!!!

 

[Jc2043]

"The lettering," as Don pointed out, is fantabulous! Compare to my Duro No. 411, which is downright plain in comparison. Seriously, I have seen some really fancy Duro script, but that one takes the cake. Art Nouveau. And, if that is a patent number I see on your crank handle, it means they went from plain to fancy from the No. 411 to the No. 711. (Between yours and my model numbers, we sure have the scoop/info and the convenience store allusions covered! ) On a more serious note, I am wondering what the model number difference signifies, if anything, in terms of capability. These are reciprocating lappers. You keep turning the handle in one direction and the gearing inside that can reverses the directions of the shaft automatically back and forth for the lapping motion.

Lugz and Don,

That Duro script is what caught my eye as well. It didn’t have the crank attached so I spun it a bit with my fingers and thought it was broken. When I came home and opened it I saw that the uneven reversing was intentional. But, better than the seller who thought it was a pump. Yes that is a pat # 1,751,657 it seems exclusive to the operating mechanism.

John


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[WisJim]

A couple of my breast drills are also usable as a valve lapping tool, changeable from rotary to reciprocating motion by adjusting the mechanism. A previous owner painted the first one the outrageous colors and I haven't gotten around to redoing that.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Jc,

I never paid too much attention to the patents alluded to by the "PATENTS PEND." marking on my Duro grinder No. 411 crank handle before, until I saw your Duro grinder with a different model number (No. 711) and a patent number (1,751,657).

Seeing the guts in your No. 711 made me take my No. 411 apart again.

As you can see - not the same mechanism!

A little research reveals the answer to my question about the different model numbers and a pretty interesting timeline on the patents.

Duro applied for a patent on Aug 29, 1927 (see pic below on LEFT). On May 6, 1929, before the first patent was granted, they had applied for a second patent, with a different mechanism (see pic below on RIGHT). The first patent (1,749,300), granted Mar 4, 1930, has a hinged arm that reverses the gears and shaft. It was used on my example, Model No. 411. The second patent (1,751,657), granted Mar 25, 1930, has a two-part skip gear, flanged and angled to reverse the beveled gear and shaft. It was used on your example, Model No. 711.

 

[RTM]

Just because no one else has

https://archive.org/details/Duro1935Catalog/page/n49/mode/1up