Author Topic: 1/4 scale Porsche 917 180 degree V12 Build  (Read 158408 times)

Online crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 22546
  • Rochester NY
Re: 1/4 scale Porsche 917 180 degree V12 Build
« Reply #885 on: January 03, 2026, 03:07:59 AM »
Thats a lot done! Great setup, lots of th8ngs to check and triple check, I  bet. For that kind of setup, the parallelism of the boring bar to the ways to the cross slide to the workpiece to... probably  some other things too!   :popcorn: :popcorn:

Offline steamer

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13076
  • Central Massachusetts, USA
Re: 1/4 scale Porsche 917 180 degree V12 Build
« Reply #886 on: January 03, 2026, 03:12:47 AM »
Thats a lot done! Great setup, lots of th8ngs to check and triple check, I  bet. For that kind of setup, the parallelism of the boring bar to the ways to the cross slide to the workpiece to... probably  some other things too!   :popcorn: :popcorn:

As long as the boring bars relation to the ways doesn't change while you're boring, the hole will be straight.

To be PARALLEL!   Well that requires the part to be set parallel   Helps when the machine is aligned already  ;D
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Online crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 22546
  • Rochester NY
Re: 1/4 scale Porsche 917 180 degree V12 Build
« Reply #887 on: January 03, 2026, 03:22:42 AM »
Thats a lot done! Great setup, lots of th8ngs to check and triple check, I  bet. For that kind of setup, the parallelism of the boring bar to the ways to the cross slide to the workpiece to... probably  some other things too!   :popcorn: :popcorn:

As long as the boring bars relation to the ways doesn't change while you're boring, the hole will be straight.

To be PARALLEL!   Well that requires the part to be set parallel   Helps when the machine is aligned already  ;D
Oh, right, the bar stays still, well, spinning, while the part moves! I forgot that part!   :slap:   This k8nd of boring is something I  never tried, neat stuff.   :popcorn: :popcorn:

Offline steamer

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13076
  • Central Massachusetts, USA
Re: 1/4 scale Porsche 917 180 degree V12 Build
« Reply #888 on: January 03, 2026, 03:30:49 AM »
Thats a lot done! Great setup, lots of th8ngs to check and triple check, I  bet. For that kind of setup, the parallelism of the boring bar to the ways to the cross slide to the workpiece to... probably  some other things too!   :popcorn: :popcorn:

As long as the boring bars relation to the ways doesn't change while you're boring, the hole will be straight.

To be PARALLEL!   Well that requires the part to be set parallel   Helps when the machine is aligned already  ;D
Oh, right, the bar stays still, well, spinning, while the part moves! I forgot that part!   :slap:   This k8nd of boring is something I  never tried, neat stuff.   :popcorn: :popcorn:
with long deep holes, its sometimes the only way.

Dave
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Online Roger B

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6924
  • Switzerland
Re: 1/4 scale Porsche 917 180 degree V12 Build
« Reply #889 on: January 03, 2026, 07:09:49 AM »
That is definitely a challenging set up however it looks like you have thought it through well. I'm looking forward to the result  :)  :ThumbsUp:  :wine1:
Best regards

Roger

Offline jcge

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 109
Re: 1/4 scale Porsche 917 180 degree V12 Build
« Reply #890 on: January 03, 2026, 08:46:43 AM »
Fingers crossed for you with this operation Dave. You've clearly put a lot of thought into the setup, and I hear you about the pucker emoticon when its time to machine the bore and open it up for the reveal!
If not too late, suggest a test cut with the the actual cutting tool to ensure you get the surface finish that you're happy with.
Best of luck!
John

Offline steamer

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13076
  • Central Massachusetts, USA
Re: 1/4 scale Porsche 917 180 degree V12 Build
« Reply #891 on: January 03, 2026, 06:55:50 PM »
Thanks for dropping in John and Roger.   I do plan on putting a sacrificial test plate on the front of this for sizing purposes, and to get comfortable with speed and feed...

Dave
 
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline Art K

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1871
  • Madison, Wisconsin USA
Re: 1/4 scale Porsche 917 180 degree V12 Build
« Reply #892 on: January 04, 2026, 01:31:08 AM »
Dave, I just got caught up with your build. Wow, making lots of progress. I have to admit I couldn't attempt this on my lathe as the only points to mount such a machining fixture are under the tool post. Plus I'm not sure I'm up to the job. Great job! I don't usually feel the need for the clenching emoticon I think I would like to have it handy.
Art
"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you" B.B. King

Offline steamer

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13076
  • Central Massachusetts, USA
Re: 1/4 scale Porsche 917 180 degree V12 Build
« Reply #893 on: January 04, 2026, 03:18:03 PM »
Dave, I just got caught up with your build. Wow, making lots of progress. I have to admit I couldn't attempt this on my lathe as the only points to mount such a machining fixture are under the tool post. Plus I'm not sure I'm up to the job. Great job! I don't usually feel the need for the clenching emoticon I think I would like to have it handy.
Art

Thanks Art.   If I can get through this step successfully, I will be well on my way I think.   This and the crankshaft are the big hurdles I think.
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline steamer

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13076
  • Central Massachusetts, USA
Re: 1/4 scale Porsche 917 180 degree V12 Build
« Reply #894 on: January 17, 2026, 12:36:49 PM »
OK   Last weekend, I spent some time trying to nail down center distance and size.   Not in the lathe, but with 1/4 plate and the mill.    What I was really after was as made center distance.   It was an eye opener!  I was also trying to work on how I will be measuring the bores which I also think I was successful doing.

Theoretical center distance is 1.09375.  ( 27.78 mm)   Great!   But here's what I found.  They clashed badly there, like not go together clash badly.  I made 3 more test plates with the mill, opening out the center distance each time by .005" and checking again....   The best "mesh" of the center drive gears, which include the crankshaft, output shaft and fan/ignition shaft was more like 1.105" (28.06mm)    0.011" difference!

Errors in the gears?   Probably   These are shop cut gears, and pitch diameter will vary, but I was surprised by how much!

Now that's the bad news.   The good news is there more than enough material in the bores that I can shift the position that much and get the mesh where I want it without too much bother   At that point they mesh well, so I'm happy with that.

i purchased 2 bore gages and 2 bore standards for this project ( used on ebay) and I can report that the big one works wonderfully!   I love being able to measure size to .0001" compared to a standard ring gage.   It's nice to check against my mikes as well.
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline Vixen

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3629
  • Hampshire UK
Re: 1/4 scale Porsche 917 180 degree V12 Build
« Reply #895 on: January 17, 2026, 03:28:33 PM »
Hello Dave,

I am sure the problem of gear size is partially due to the simplistic approach we model engineers have to take regarding our gear cutting. If we were gear cutters by trade, we would be properly equipped with dedicated machinery and have a lifetime of experience and know all the tricks in the book, to get a pair of gears spot on.

At least you now know exactly what you have and the good news is you can shift the positions and get the mesh where you want it, without too much bother.

Like the two bore gages and standards, where is the green with envy icon when you want it.

Cheers

Mike
It is the journey that matters, not the destination

Sometimes, it can be a long and winding road

Offline steamer

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13076
  • Central Massachusetts, USA
Re: 1/4 scale Porsche 917 180 degree V12 Build
« Reply #896 on: January 17, 2026, 06:02:00 PM »
Hello Dave,

I am sure the problem of gear size is partially due to the simplistic approach we model engineers have to take regarding our gear cutting. If we were gear cutters by trade, we would be properly equipped with dedicated machinery and have a lifetime of experience and know all the tricks in the book, to get a pair of gears spot on.

At least you now know exactly what you have and the good news is you can shift the positions and get the mesh where you want it, without too much bother.

Like the two bore gages and standards, where is the green with envy icon when you want it.

Cheers

Mike

If you're patient, and pay attention to the various outlets  ( ebay   Marketplace)   Deals are available.  99.7% of my shop is second hand in some way shape or form.
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline steamer

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13076
  • Central Massachusetts, USA
Re: 1/4 scale Porsche 917 180 degree V12 Build
« Reply #897 on: Today at 11:15:47 AM »
OK   I think we do this today and tomorrow....stay tuned!
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal