Hitchcocks Forum

I just got one of those tools that turn rotary motion into reciprocating action for lapping valves.
I've always used the usual stick with rubber suckers on but this is SO much better and saves my poor old arthritic hands.
Well worth it.

I have only ground the valves on two cars and two motorcycles in my lifetime. Unless it`s a full-time occupation, or as you say, arthritis, it is going to sit in a cupboard or drawer for years. Somewhat like my tile cutter, which I used once to tile around the kitchen sink twenty years ago.

I have one of those which I picked up at a car boot for 50p, I didn't invest in one before because they're expensive! I don't use it much because I find the old rubber-on-a-stick more effective. Maybe in a few years time when my fingers pack up!

REgards, Mark

Expensive? under £20 and it seems pretty well made.
As well as arthritis I suffer from contracture in some hand ligaments (what a old crock) and using the stick type is painful.
Another point is that I now have yet another tool in the pool of stuff that is available to friends to use. This comprises special tools like pullers which, though not used very often, make a job easier. For instance, a friend of mine has a set of valve seat cutters though they are usually in someone else's shed being useful. Another friend has a full set of metric Helicoils; there again, usually in use elsewhere.
Indeed, the valve lapper is already on loan to a B31 having done the job on my 350.
I find one of the (few) advantages of being older and (relatively) affluent is the ability to buy the tools for the job instead of making do.
Mark, I can't imagine why you find the stick more effective. The only slight "problem" is to get the speed correct. The temptation is to go too fast which does NOT work.

Our Hosts have the Eezilap tool at £43.50 plus VAT (£52.20 inc) for the same item as I bought so my 50p was well spent!

REgards, Mark

Dennis, I'll try it again. Maybe speed was the problem. Do you use a pillar drill to hold it or a cordless which is what I did?

REgards, Mark

Cordless Mark. I found if I went too fast the paste got flung off. You can hear if the paste is still grinding. You need to keep lifting off to resettle the paste.

Thanks Pete, I'll try that later this week. The cordless drill I have is rather old and the speed control is a bit crude so maybe I'll need a new one of those!

REgards, Mark

Wish I had one when I was grinding in my two oil pumps which took forever!