Andrew

The name on my lathe is South Bend>>>it is older than I am and I date back to Harry Truman >>> the computer running the darned thing has lost a lot of its memory and it wont hold a tolerance to .0001. But it adds greatly to my enjoyment of racing I call it whittling
. The guys with Money and no desire or inclination are missing a lot of what racing is about. Don't say they can't do something>>> just make it so that guys like me do not feel at a disadvantage to these other racers. Racing is an addiction >>>thank God a lot of these guys don't get addicted>>>they are probably the lucky ones.

Honest Dad himself

Buhr

Did you stop to consider that just maybe a 1/2" grade 8 bolt might be a bit "OVERKILL". Indy cars and Formula I race cars use 5/16 and 3/8" sized bolts to perform the same function. We race 75 to 100 pounds over weight and still manage to run up front. Do not worry so much about weight and Horsepower the secret is someplace else. You will spend yourself broke trying to beat some racers.

Honest Dad himself

Believe me, I work in other areas and do not get caught up in that aspect. Ill take an overweight car with an awesome setup any day Our car is setup today weighing in at 1168 when minimum is 1125, and yes I have weights on the car because i want to meet certain numbers to make ut handle better. Wanye can validate as it is a car in his series..

As far as the grade 8, im suren if you call the bolt manufacture they will advise against it weather it is still the same strength or not to cover there ass...im just saying your basically making a light bolt using other means and accomplishing the same out come.

Would you be comfortable mounting your seat with these altered lightened grade 8 bolts?

X2!!!
I don't think I could breathe or sleep at night if I didn't have a lathe or milling machine close by! I don't know how people live without them. My mill and lathe are both from South Bend. They are much younger than me as they were among the last ones made here, and I'm sure they'll continue to do their jobs long after I'm gone.

Just food for thought....not everyone thinks a like and have different outlooks on topics, thats what makes the world go round..

I look at this topic of grade 8 bolts. I choose not to go the drilled and milled down method as i personally think in my mind it weakends the bolt integrity. I would prefer to buy a fabricated light weight bolt designed for complete safety reasons in my own mind and the safety of my son...i know we are both accomplishing the same outcome just in a different manner. Did I spend more, maybe maybe not..i would buy bolts, you bought a lathe and used existing bolts that was purchased with car or bought additional new bolts. I know you already had thr lathe but did purchase at one time.

Besides i dont habe room in my garage as it is....lol

buhr

Did you know that there are actually manufactures that are taking 4130 tubing and threading it and then welding nuts to the other end thus making light weigh bolts. Racing is all about experimenting and taking things to their limits. Drilling fasteners is old school racing>>>grade 8 bolts are under stressed that strength specified is probably 1/2 of its real yield strength is. Wonder why they drill torsion bars? Would a chassis built out of 4130 bar be stronger than one built out of 4130 tube? The strength is not in the middle of the round rod the strength is found on the outside of the part. Sounds like a good time to do some reading and research?

Honest Dad himself

Smokintires....Um NO!!

DAD...i do not have a machine shop at my disposal in my garage. My point is there are different ways of accomplishing the same no matter how you choose to do so. Its the piece of mind and how i process things in my head and what i think is the right way, no matter if everyone else diagrees.

Buhr

I race my kid also>>>and would do nothing to place him in danger.

For the price of the titanium and carbon fiber you could buy a nice used 9" lathe and a small Milling machine later. Whittling metal is like whittling wood a very enjoyable experience and once you have used that stuff a few times it will be a toss up of who leaves first the wife or your machines.

A true learning experience for your kid. Did I mention that I started my working life as a shop teacher before those smarter than me decided shop was too expensive and not a worthwhile endeavor for students.

Buhr>>>Are you guys racing pavement?

Honest Dad himself