Using a drill press to remove and fit valve collets

[julianharty]

Credit for this goes to Paul Compton who taught me this technique.

In short, a drill press with a suitable adapter is a great tool to compress the valve spring so collects can be removed and refitted. The adapter is a 30mm tool from a no-name valve spring removal tool (there are plenty for sale online). I happen to use a Bosch drill which has a very easy to use rotary handle to lower and raise the drill head.

Photos attached of the tool being used. I've recorded some short videos if anyone would like to see the process dynamically. I've posted this in the 250 section, it also works for the other Lambertini engines.

dril press to remove valve collet-1.jpg (488.89 KiB) Viewed 4139 times

dril press to remove valve collet-2.jpg (497.42 KiB) Viewed 4139 times

[norbert]

I still use a more archaic one

k-20240229_143403.jpg (89.43 KiB) Viewed 4086 times

[MickeyMoto]

Me too, Norbert. I have a 1950s one from Matchless.

[julianharty]

Glad to see examples of time-served tools.

I've also got an old valve spring compressor I've probably had for 40 or so years and they're very useful. The drill press (at least using the Bosch model I have) is so much more fluid in terms of being able to quickly and easily compress and release the pressure; and as the cylinder head is naturally resting on the drill's bed I no longer need 2+ hands to remove or refit the collects (without losing them )

[norbert]

That's true!
I've been a carpenter in former times, so the tool was there