Calling all Old Mechanics and machinists

[IndStudenut]

I have a machine exactly like the one in the attached link. Hopefully it comes across. It is a QuikWay and I know it grinds valves but what else did it do. I got it a long time ago and it is really cool but I have no clue what other processes it performs. If it doesn't come across as an embedded link you may need to cut and paste int a browser.

https://www.purplewave.com/auction/131218A/item/AP9877

Rick

[t walgamuth]

Cool!......

[PackardV8]

That machine will grind valve faces, tips and rocker tips.

jack vines

[gjamesk]

It looks like the manufacturer of the Kwik-Way machines is still in business, and has old manuals available.

https://irontite-manuals.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3

[Buzzard]

Rick,
I too have one of those Kwik-Ways (without your base) and it enabled me to cut down, tulip, polish and install Ford 406 CID intake AND exhaust valves in my Studebaker heads. The intake and exhaust valves were so close only a sheet of paper would pass between the valves.
It is a fine old HD piece of equipment that no one today cares to utilize. It is just so easy to get aftermarket (Edelbrock etc.) heads from Jegs or Summit.
Bill

[IndStudenut]

Jack - That makes sense.... It must service all (or most) things valve train related.... I knew for sure valves but it makes sense that it would do rocker arms and who knows what else in the valve train.

gjamesk - Thanks for the link..... I swore I had researched every kwikway site there was.... But the link you sent shows a quickway Model A made by cedar Rapids which looks really close to mine. The link above is not my machine but mine looks exactly like it including base. Sucker weighs 400 lbs I swear. It's got me curious now..... this weekend I am moving some stuff around the shop. So I will investigate it further.

Bill - Yep that's why I picked it up..... I like all the old tools and depending on when you find it sometimes they are practically giving it away. No one wants them. But if in good shape they still do the job. Most jobs no one wants to do now.

Thanks guys for the info. If anyone else has any knowledge of them..... keep it coming. I want to know everything I can do with it.

Rick

[Buzzard]

Rick,
I have the valve seat resurfacer as well, just can't remember the brand. Sioux perhaps? Without these two pieces I could never have modified my heads for R4 duty.
Bill
PS: I was young and stupid. Now I am old and stupid!

[IndStudenut]

I picked up a black and decker valve seat grinder. I do almost all of my own work because you just can't seem to find anyone to do it. And if you do they don't understand what they are doing. 30 yrs ago I worked for a restoration shop. We had an old mechanic that would come in and just loved to share knowledge with us. I loved Ross ..... he not only could tell you how to do something but he could tell you why. There are engineering concepts behind this stuff. And Ross new it. In Ross's day you repaired everything...... Today they just buy parts bolt it on and hope it makes a difference for the good.

[t walgamuth]

Rick,
I have the valve seat resurfacer as well, just can't remember the brand. Sioux perhaps? Without these two pieces I could never have modified my heads for R4 duty.
Bill
PS: I was young and stupid. Now I am old and stupid!

hah hah! Me too.

[IndStudenut]

gjamesk - Thanks again for the link..... I was able to get some documentation from ironite on my machine. It turns or resurfaces the following things. So as usual Jack was spot on.

Valves - seat end
Valves - tip
rocker arms - tip contact surface
Tapits - not sure if that means valve tip adjuster screw or surface that rides on cam
Cylindrical and tapered - reamers
Armature Commutators - Starter and generator

I learned something.... When I went to the site they did not list my machine exactly. So I emailed them and gave them my machine number ( D8565) wondering if the instructions they had on the site would be close enough (They had Model A). They responded and sent me a link to my actual Model D machine built in 1942.

Buzzard - I if your machine is a Model D (look at the tag if you have it still for machine no.) I would be happy to send you a copy of the PDF I have. Otherwise you can go to the link above and download your model or inquire like I did to see if they have your model. Prices aren't terrible.... $14.95 to download.

Rick

[DEEPNHOCK]

Goodson Tools up in Minnesota still sells the consumables for the Kwik Way.
Grinding has faded in popularity, but still has a place.
Rebuilding a machine like that is not for the faint of heat. The big challenge to get the tolerances tight and accurate.

https://goodson.com/collections/kwik-way

https://goodson.com/collections/kwik-way-by-goodson-valve-seat-grinding-equipment

[IndStudenut]

Thanks for the link Deepnhock.... yeah I need to get some stones from Goodson for my Sunnen hone and valve seat grinder. My thoughts as I read the documentation last night was finding replacement stones for the Kwik-Way. The documentation refers to the stones with Kwik-way numbers (Stone 4001,4005 and 4007) and I am assuming they are different grit's for different purposes but it does not elaborate on what the grit is.

Rick

[Buzzard]

Rick,
Is it possible the stones are manufactured with exact angles on them? Just a thought.
Bill

[PackardV8]

Rick,
Is it possible the stones are manufactured with exact angles on them? Just a thought.
Bill

Part of the kit is a bench-mounted stone dresser. They have to be trued up after each use, thus they're a consumable.

jack vines

[IndStudenut]

From what I can tell in the documentation stone has more to do with what type of material you are working with. I also emailed Lyn at ironite and this was his response.

"I don't have any information regarding the makeup of the stones offered then or even now. I suspect the numbers referred to a "General Purpose", a "Finishing", and a "Stellite" version of stones. Most all valve grinding would be do'able with the GP stone. Finishing is just a slightly finer grit and the Stellite is a softer stone that works better on harder alloys. "