The flu is about to leave my body, so I made it to the garage tonight.
I thought I should get the inserts job started, but I wanted to check first how difficult it would be to cut M16 threads by hand i aluminum, so I started with a scrap piece of aluminum:
test cut.jpg
I started by drilling a 14mm hole, and used a M16x2.0 thread cutter.
This went easier than I feared, so I felt encouraged enough to do the same on the case:
first cut.jpg
Not to bad, if I must say it myself... The sealing surface for the cylinder is smaller than it was originally, but wider than what will be left on the barrel itself, so I still believe I can do without the spacer shims, but time will show. Anyways, I will have to make sure my inserts are installed below the sealing surface.
I felt encouraged by this first cut, so I fired up the manual thread cutting tool, and got myself some exercise:
real cut.jpg
And after an hour or so this is the result:
all 8.jpg
Finally I can get these caase halves properly cleaned, as it seems I am getting close to finishing the dirty work on these
Now I have to do the 8 on the other half, and then get over to my friends place and borrow his lathe in order to make the offset inserts.
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