I would like to see someones home made inexpensive smoke machine for finding intake leaks. Anyone made one for cheap?

 

X2

 

Had to post up. This is a rod heater we made to heat the small end on a rod with press fit pin. we looked at some other gas models and decided we could build one. The fixute in front of it is to hold the piston in place and a stop for the pin

 

if you have an old electric kettle, or portable bas burner and kettle, mix fog juice with water and boil, has worked for me

 

My most recent home made shop tool. Quincy single stage 230 pump, old 3HP oil field motor, 50 gallon tank repurposed from a worn out compressor. All in all I have a about $400-500 in it. Not to bad for a nice Quincy.



Some build up pics

 

Very cool man

 

Nothing too fancy, but I made a third hand tool for welding out of some aluminum bits I had laying around.

 

For those asking for a vac/boost leak tester.

So after fighting with misfires and boost leaks on my car I figured it was time to either bite the bullet and but a tester or to get creative and make my own. If the title didn't give it away I decided to make my own using whatever I had laying around the garage. I'm sure if you didn't have these items on hand it could still be made for under $20. This tester was used with a silicone turbo inlet. I'm not sure if it can be used with the stock plastic intake.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any injuries or engine damage caused by the use of this tester. Open flames can be dangerous and adult supervision is recommended.

Items needed:
2x male air compressor chucks
1x male barbed fitting
1x jar of peanut butter
1x air compressor
1x gallon paint can
1x electric drill
1x dill bit set
1x hammer
1x tube of silicone
1x 3-6 feet of hose
1x small hose clamp

Step 1:

Once you have acquired all the materials listed above you can begin. First you can take one of the male compressor chucks and get a drill bit roughly the same size. As long as your close to the right size you can use Asian persuasion to screw the fitting into the lid. Then drill the first hole in the lid.

Attachment 58573

Step 2:

This time you need to have your barbed fitting in hand. Find a drill bit the right size and drill the second hole a couple inches away from the second. Make sure this hole is slightly on the small side that way the barbed fitting is a tight fit. The best way is to hammer it in from the bottom for the tightest seal.

Attachment 58574


Step 3:

This step is probably the most important to take your time on. Using jb weld or any of your favorite silicone brands weld around the fittings that way they don't leak. I was impatient and just used silicone. It worked but jb weld would have worked better.

Attachment 58575

Step 4:

You need to acquire a jar of peanut butter or something with a similar sized cap to be used on the intake side.

Attachment 58576


Step 5:

Using your drill again drill a hole in the center or the cap so the second male fitting can be screwed into it. You should probably seal this one too but its not a requirement.

Attachment 58577

Attachment 58578

Attachment 58579

Step 6:

This is where the hose comes in. Slide your desired hose onto the cap side and then slide the other end of the hose onto the barbed fitting.

Attachment 58580

Step 7:

The last step is to light up the fire. I would recommend doing this outside and not in a garage or anywhere near flammable objects. Through some blue towels into the paint can and light them on fire. Let them smoke for about thirty seconds then turn on the compressor to about 5 psi and hammer the lid on. If you have done every right smoke should circulate through the engine and come out through any leaks. If the can builds up to much pressure the cap can blow off quite loudly. This isn't the best tester but it sure beats having someone else work on your car.

Attachment 58581

Attachment 58582

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

Links are coming back invalid. Can you repost the photos in the thread? Thanks.

 

I guess I should just make one, but...Thought I'd ask first if anyone beat me to it.
Something like a u-shaped screwdriver or T- handle would work. None of my screwdrivers would bend that tightly.
Thanks
Jeff

 

If anyone has wanted a cheap blasting cabinet I did one out of a plastic barrel. I can do a build thread if anyone is interested. So far I have about a $100 into it & it works pretty decent. Good for small parts like manifolds, turbine housings, etc. It has a lexan cover also...

 

How do you keep the **** in the barrel?

 

Cigar, brother

 

I love the piston clock and that valve cover coat hanger. Waiting for someone to post their engine block coffee table. I wonder if anyone has made a spinning barstool from a wheel and hub??? Badass no?

 

Lexan cover. I used it last night before I got latches on it so I just had the lid resting on it & I didn't have an issue. I have trunk latches (draw catch) that I am putting on today.

I have to pick up some sleeves to put your arms in. I made the holes just big enough that I wear a sweater & it seals. I just have to brush my sleeves off before I pull my arms out... No biggie.

I swept up the floor after I used it for a manifold & turbine housing & had maybe 1/4lb of media find its way out. With 50lbs of media in it that isn't very much lost.

I have a 5hp shop vac to suck out the dust (filter to the top of the barrel) but I am going to re-locate it to under the catch so it draws the dust down.

 

Here's my budget welding backer/plug tool. I made 2 of these today for only 23$ The thing I like most there's multiple points of adjustment. I'll probably make a DIY later on for those that find themselves wanting their own.

 

pretty slick

 

I assume this was made to use the copper piece as a backer. What types of applications benefit from using a copper backer?

 

Anywhere you need to weld a hole shut.

 

Thanks man.

The copper cap aids in filling holes while welding. By placing the copper cap the behind the hole and welding over the top. The copper supports the weld while also absorbing heat.The weld doesn't stick to the copper. I built it so I could fill some holes in sheet metal. It helps out when welding holes in the firewall and fender wells. I've seen copper backers used while holes welding in many different types metal.

Bingo