lcrken
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- Joined
- Mar 15, 2009
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I've seen several Commando cylinders that have had the fins drilled to lighten them, but never knew how much weight could be saved. I was thinking about using a set of iron 850 cylinders for my short stroke 750 build, and decided to find out if drilling was worthwhile. I drilled the fins from the top in the mill, and it took several hours.
I was thinking about turning it over and also drilling some of the fins from the bottom, as well as milling out some weight on the side, but wanted to see if it was worth the additional effort first. I measured the cylinders before and after, on a freight scale that weighs in half pound increments. I figured that was accurate enough. I weighed some alloy cylinders while I was at it, for comparison. The results were enlightening.
Iron 850 cylinder - 21 lbs.
Iron 850 cylinder after drilling - 20.5 lbs.
Maney alloy 850 cylinder - 11.5 lbs.
Old DRE alloy 850 cylinder - 11 lbs.
If I'd done the rest of the drilling and milling, I don't think I would have saved more than another half pound. I think I'll be using the Maney cylinder for the 750!
Ken
I was thinking about turning it over and also drilling some of the fins from the bottom, as well as milling out some weight on the side, but wanted to see if it was worth the additional effort first. I measured the cylinders before and after, on a freight scale that weighs in half pound increments. I figured that was accurate enough. I weighed some alloy cylinders while I was at it, for comparison. The results were enlightening.
Iron 850 cylinder - 21 lbs.
Iron 850 cylinder after drilling - 20.5 lbs.
Maney alloy 850 cylinder - 11.5 lbs.
Old DRE alloy 850 cylinder - 11 lbs.
If I'd done the rest of the drilling and milling, I don't think I would have saved more than another half pound. I think I'll be using the Maney cylinder for the 750!
Ken