07-23-2018, 11:29 PM
Guys,
Call me crazy, but I feel really bad that my isolated modification of these bolts has become the focal point of public opinion regarding the product. I'd still love to know more about how they perform in the WB820s in which they were intended to be used. As they say, "No News is Good News". Except when 'No News' goes unreported.
I started this conversation in order to point out that I used the bolts in a manner that was inconsistent with KPrecision's intentions. I would never have started this conversation if my situation hadn't been made public elsewhere on the forum. My methods have been questioned, and I am completely open to the possibility that I may have compromised the structural integrity of the bolts by "quenching" them in water. I was aware of that risk, and made an effort to keep the temperature under control, but maybe the temperature spiked in a moment and the bolt crystalized. I am inclined to think that the real issue was the fit of the bolt in the McCulloch rod. I initially thought that it was too tight, and I wonder, had I a better feel for what's acceptable in such a close tolerance fit, if I would have continued to proceed. Jeff has not had the time to work with my rod, as he is moving his shop right now, so the jury is still out on the matter.
To be clear, I am not at all affiliated with KPrecision, but I have kept in touch with Jeff, and he is aware that his product is under close scrutiny. He has had the following things to say:
"From our standpoint we have done a lot of research on the material we chose to use. We have had testing done by a 3rd party. Every run of bolts has 4 that are randomly picked to be tested. They must be 275-285 ksi and 50-53 RC if they do not pass they get scrapped. Every batch will always get tested... We do everything on our end to ensure quality (testing and inspections). All of the materials we use all have certifications to ensure quality of material."
With regard to comparisons to Dave Bonbright's screws: "The material I use is a material that is used in the aerospace industry. It is not the same material that was used in the original screws. The alloy that I use is much more cost effective and is actually a little stronger in important areas. My supplier can get me the material that was originally used for the screws but at the cost for it the market would not support it. The material that I do use is also used in building formula 1 engines that rev 19.5k along with parts that would go on jet plane's landing gear, etc."
"I will be, in a few weeks, sending another batch of bolts with a 3/16 hex head to heat treatment. They will be for the 820 engine. After I get everything moved to our new shop I will be running a short run of 150-200 bolts for the MC engine."
"I do hope that everyone truly understands that this issue will be fixed but it will have to be a separate bolt just for the MAC rods."
With fingers and toes crossed for a break in the weather at Avon this weekend,
Kurt
Call me crazy, but I feel really bad that my isolated modification of these bolts has become the focal point of public opinion regarding the product. I'd still love to know more about how they perform in the WB820s in which they were intended to be used. As they say, "No News is Good News". Except when 'No News' goes unreported.
I started this conversation in order to point out that I used the bolts in a manner that was inconsistent with KPrecision's intentions. I would never have started this conversation if my situation hadn't been made public elsewhere on the forum. My methods have been questioned, and I am completely open to the possibility that I may have compromised the structural integrity of the bolts by "quenching" them in water. I was aware of that risk, and made an effort to keep the temperature under control, but maybe the temperature spiked in a moment and the bolt crystalized. I am inclined to think that the real issue was the fit of the bolt in the McCulloch rod. I initially thought that it was too tight, and I wonder, had I a better feel for what's acceptable in such a close tolerance fit, if I would have continued to proceed. Jeff has not had the time to work with my rod, as he is moving his shop right now, so the jury is still out on the matter.
To be clear, I am not at all affiliated with KPrecision, but I have kept in touch with Jeff, and he is aware that his product is under close scrutiny. He has had the following things to say:
"From our standpoint we have done a lot of research on the material we chose to use. We have had testing done by a 3rd party. Every run of bolts has 4 that are randomly picked to be tested. They must be 275-285 ksi and 50-53 RC if they do not pass they get scrapped. Every batch will always get tested... We do everything on our end to ensure quality (testing and inspections). All of the materials we use all have certifications to ensure quality of material."
With regard to comparisons to Dave Bonbright's screws: "The material I use is a material that is used in the aerospace industry. It is not the same material that was used in the original screws. The alloy that I use is much more cost effective and is actually a little stronger in important areas. My supplier can get me the material that was originally used for the screws but at the cost for it the market would not support it. The material that I do use is also used in building formula 1 engines that rev 19.5k along with parts that would go on jet plane's landing gear, etc."
"I will be, in a few weeks, sending another batch of bolts with a 3/16 hex head to heat treatment. They will be for the 820 engine. After I get everything moved to our new shop I will be running a short run of 150-200 bolts for the MC engine."
"I do hope that everyone truly understands that this issue will be fixed but it will have to be a separate bolt just for the MAC rods."
With fingers and toes crossed for a break in the weather at Avon this weekend,
Kurt