Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Has anyone drilled thru the cylinder sleeve liner to add a oiler hole ?  So far, this simple anticipated 0.065" thick liner has resulted in 2 broken 1/16" drill bits & just laughed at my other hss titanium coated bits !! What i expected to be usual iron cylinder liner material seems to be a drill proof misadventure failure. Even  if i manage to get an expensive carbide bit thur it, what would i use to file or grind off any ragged edge metal ? ...i really could use a functional piston oiler hole but don't want to risk ruining the cylinder sleeve in the process...Will a solid carbide drill bit in a hand drill motor get the job done & will normal steel file & grinding stones take the anticipated break-thru burr off ?

Hi Len,..yep,...simple enough tool for the usual cylinder wall issues, but this little M90 engineering marvel is kicking my a@# longtime engine experiences !!...When you find a full floating piston pin happily stroking away within a Steel con rod bushing Without any retaining clips or buttons & freely bumping & riding the cylinder liner Without causing any scuffing damage...it somehow seems to work within that unbelievably hard, thin, .065" non-magnetic liner that i can't manage to get Any size drill hole thru yet.....maybe this aint yo average iron liner deal...i've punched holes in usual iron,aluminum maybe titanium even but my first encounter with "undrillium" metal ?? Help !
 

I was amazed and impressed with the materials used on the crank, liner and valves of these engines, 10/10 Microcosm. 
Carbide drills for PC board drilling are available in very small sizes (RS components, Mouser, Rapid etc.) and will make short work of this suprisingly hard material, and a dremel grind stone to take the burr off the inside after.
Kind regards
Ade

Hi
I drilled the cylinder to add an oiler
With normal wick and cutting oil
You have to turn slowly
but, I still used 2 wicks.
Christian.

Or maybe it's a cutting oil applicator..please explain..thx again,..tom.

I was thinking (& still am) asking about just getting the hole drilling Bit matetial type & bit speed sorted and totally misinterpreted he's beyond the hole drilling issue & addressing his installed oiler arraignment that uses 2 cotton "wicks" for oil storage & drip rate regulation but still needs valve or compression cap turned very slowly ..i guess ...amazing how the late nite world (& text postings) can read better after a 1/2 lb of bacon & a few stiff mugs of morning coffee brew !! ...thx for the help gang ...tom.

No problem , Christian...i learn something everyday & forget this is a popular international read forum ! ...How & what tool did you clean up the break-thru, hard metal burr ? Thanks,  tom.