YES, I have 2 and 3 legged ones. Yes they work well with careful use on a slow speed drill, use parafin as a lube/ flushing agent. Noel

I agree with Noel, they are very useful. The finish they leave is better for rings to bed onto than a lapped or bored finish. Bell mouthing should not be a problem since you should not be trying to remove a significant amount of material. Move the hone up and down the cylinder as it works, taking care not to come out either end.

John

The cast iron cylinder for my traction engine was bored for a running fit with the piston but after a shrink fit with the engine block (heating in my BBQ for an hour), the ends had shrunk and was too tight for the piston. Although it did provide a good seal and did not leak when tested to 250 psi.

I uses a cheap 3-leg cylinder hone to enlarge the bore at the ends, checking the diameter at different places with a dial bore gauge to ensure a constant diameter thruout.

Paul.

Edited By Paul Lousick on 29/12/2020 06:02:53

I prefer a Flex Hone for this type of job. Often referred to as a 'bog brush' for its similarity with the household item. They are more size specific (probably with a range of 5mm of bore size in medium sizes) but also available in small sizes. I have a 12 bore one (0.73" ) and a 16 bore one (0.663" ) for shotgun bores which work very well.

Edited By Oily Rag on 29/12/2020 09:51:39

They will not correct any ovality in a bore like a true Delapena type hone would, being spring loaded they just follow what is already there.

Phil

I have never used one but a place where I worked years ago did. With the hone fitted to a thing like a very large two handled electric drill the fitter would hone a bored cast iron cylinder to take a cast iron piston that I had ground for him. Pistons varied in size up to 7" diameter and 8" long. The point I would like to make though is that of all the fitters, only one of them had the knack of getting it REALLY right. A hot sweaty job in the summer, Pete certainly earned his wages doing that job.

Rik