Can I learn to port with this?

[Grandmaster]

Well its summer and I want to make the most of the extra free time i have so i want to spend some time learning how to do some shadetree mechanic style stuff. I kicked it off by installing my suspension. Now i'm thinking about learning how to port. I used to be heavily into car audio and i bought a Craftsman All-In-One cutting tool as it can be used as a router + lots of other stuff. It's pretty stout, easily cuts through fairly thick wood (goes through 3/4" mdf very easily with the larger bits). I also have the flexible shaft attachment so that i can hold it like a pin and move it around easier for detailing stuff. So anyways, i'm wondering, could i learn how to port with this tool? It has 2 settings, 20,000rpm and 30,000 rpm. Now, i dont plan on learning with my 5.0!! I'm thinking about learning other stuff at the same time, so i thought maybe i'd pull a weed wacker or atv motor apart (i have a few sitting around) and learning on those.

So, can i use this tool? Or will i HAVE to buy a die grinder even just to learn on small stuff like an ATV motor? I'd like to learn how to do porting/polishing and maybe learn about boring etc (probably would have to take it to a speacialty shop for that though right? at least i could figure out how it works or something...).

Thanks for any advice.
-GM
p.s. If i learn it well enough i might try on my intake or something, but until then i'm not touching it. When i do i assume i'll need better tools....

 

[Grandmaster]

ttt

 

[88mustangGT]

just go find a local junk yard or ebay get a lower intake manifold and port that sucker. from what im pictureing your tool you wont be able to go far enough into the port to do anything wort wile. so i would go to harbor freight or lowes or somthing and get a 20 dollor grinder, if it poops out take it back and get another one(thats what i did when porting my lower) and have fun. i know i did.

 

[Grandmaster]

Anyone else? I've been looking on e-bay for die grinders and pretty much all of them only cost like 20-50 bucks. Are they normally that cheap or are those junk? What brand should i be looking for? What kindof specs? I would like to do it with the tool i already have but if i need to buy a die grinder, what should i get? Thanks for any help.
-GM

 

[tmoss]

www.harborfreight.com

www.carbidebur.com

 

[Grandmaster]

Thanks for the links! I really dont know what i'm getting into so, is it best to use one with the 90angle head or non? Do the air-opperated tools have an advantage over electric? Thanks a lot,
-GM

 

[90Notch]

Get an air grinder because that way you can buy a speed controller too. Harbor freight sells a nice one for $40 also goto standard abrasives website they have some info on how to do it.

 

[tmoss]

Buy the burs and try them in your tool. If it doesn't ahve enough power, then buy an air die grinder.

 

[Grandmaster]

Get an air grinder because that way you can buy a speed controller too. Harbor freight sells a nice one for $40 also goto standard abrasives website they have some info on how to do it.

The standard abrasives website is awesome! Thanks!
Still wondering though, should i get one with the 90 degree angle? I would think i would want the straight one, but i dont know much about it. Also, will the geometry of a head for an ATV engine or like a weed-wacker or leaf blower motor be about the same sort of thing? I would figure any internal combustion engine would be but just wondering. Got a lot of reading to do after work... Thanks for any help,
-GM

 

[Grandmaster]

Buy the burs and try them in your tool. If it doesn't ahve enough power, then buy an air die grinder.

Ok, that does sound like the sensible approach.
-GM

 

[stang2004]

The standard abrasives website is awesome! Thanks!
Still wondering though, should i get one with the 90 degree angle? I would think i would want the straight one, but i dont know much about it. Also, will the geometry of a head for an ATV engine or like a weed-wacker or leaf blower motor be about the same sort of thing? I would figure any internal combustion engine would be but just wondering. Got a lot of reading to do after work... Thanks for any help,
-GM

bro, just pick up an intake off another 5.0... u can find them for under 20 bux on ebay.... if it comes out good, then all ya gotta do is remove the one on your car, and put the one u just ported on,, however if it comes out like sh1t then its all good

 

[90Notch]

Get the straight grinder not the 90 degree. Whatever you do remember that airflow likes straight shots that start out large then taper down to a smaller port, this promotes higher velocity. You also have to make sure each port is as similiar as possible to each other so that they flow the same. Best of luck.

 

[dcrahn]

If you would like to learn more about porting, here's a link to the web site of a friend of mine. http://www.reincarnation-automotive.com/ Most of it is big block but the basic principles and tools are the same. Now I will tell you up front that he does charge a $25 access fee to some of the information. He even shows you how to build your own flow bench. Good stuff!

 

[Grandmaster]

http://www.sa-motorsports.com/cat/p5.htm

I'm thinking about picking up that kit and seriously learning how to do this stuff. Does that look like a good kit to you guys? It seems to have all i'd need to port a set of heads or an intake. Will those pieces last a couple uses or would i probably have to replace those like after every job or what? I'm also looking into the air grinders just in case. Thanks,
-GM
p.s. Should i get a die grinder with an extension? Such as this one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=39154 ?

 

[tmoss]

The kit you show aove is stones and sand paper rolls. They wear out much faster than carbide bits. You don't need the extension on the air grinder if you buy a selection of short bits and 6" carbide bits.

 

[Grandmaster]

The kit you show aove is stones and sand paper rolls. They wear out much faster than carbide bits. You don't need the extension on the air grinder if you buy a selection of short bits and 6" carbide bits.

Oh ok, thanks. So i was looking at the site you posted, carbiteburs.com, and i'm wondering which ones i need. It doesn't say what each shape is for and i have no idea as i've never done it before. Could you help me understand why they're shapped different and which ones i need? Those suckers are expensive (!!) so hopefully i wont need too many lol. Thanks a lot,
-GM
p.s. i have been unable to find a speed controller for the air grinder, where have you guys bought yours?

 

[tmoss]

I use the Tree Radius and Ball style the most. You don't need a speed controller for the air grinders - I don't use one. To vary speed/power you just push the air valve open more or let off for more or less power to the bit. These are amongst the cheapest prices you'll find for quality bits. If you wanna play, you gotta pay.

 

[Grandmaster]

Ok, thanks for all the help!
-GM