Not sure about size but some kind of childs arrow / dart springs to mind if they are still make like they used to be. Alternative might be something like a low strength glue, double sided tape, or bluetack.

Picked up mine from local car spares shop and I'd bet Halfords would stock them as well !

Hi Mick I wonder if a button magnet on a metal extension rod would work ?

Maurice.

On small IC engine valve I slip a bit of silicon tube onto the top of the valve and then poke a suitable rod into the other end then you can twist it between finger and thumb while lightly pulling the valve onto its seat. Also use something with a finer grit than teh standard paste sold in car shops on small valves like this.

Though my prefered way is to leave the valve on the parent bar so you have something solid to hold and then part off once its seated, like this one where you can see the dull area that has been ground with 600g SiC powder.

With my poppet valve made out off a car exhaust valve it is non magnetic so magnets no good.

As far as semi rotating the valve for lapping with grinding paste the short section of the valve stem at the collet end I can twist in my fingers no need for anything special to hold it.

With your design of engine it might not be possible?

Paul

In the dim and distant, some valves (Full size) had a screwdriver slot cut in the head, t'aint missile tech. to use a dremel to achieve a similar result.

Regards Ian.

Could you not make one or two? A soft rubber or plastic tube glued to a dowel with a short length of tube overhanging and cut square . works ok on a one off but how long it would last I suppose will depend on the tube material. Or use a soft plastic and bore, form the end with a ball cutter ? Trouble is there will not be much air pressure at that diameter so holding is never going to be good.

I have used a drill chuck on the valve stem in the past, it might speed things to leave the drill on it! Might be a bit quick though.

Mike

Double sided sticky tape, can even be bought ready cut in circles.

Is it necessary to grind the valves in at all? Modern automotive practice is to cut the seats, face the valve and put it together without grinding in. They use a three angle seat cut with a very narrow seating ring about 1mm wide. Seems to work just fine on the full size stuff. Will it not apply to the tiddlers?