Anyone machine magnesium?

Just got these wheels but they need to be machines not just the hub, rim too. Anyone on here capable of doing it or know someone that is?

 

If you know anyone who is a machinist for the railroad....they usually have lathes that can handle stuff that big.

 

Magnesium is easy to machine...just don't let the tool rub the part...either cut or pull away. Magnesium burns easily, with a bright flame that will hurt your eyes. You need a machine shop with a lathe large enough to turn the outside contour.
Good luck, Frank

 

Magnesium burn very very hot too. A pile of mag chips going up is a hazard to be sure. Be careful!!

 

Keep sand around to put out the fire (should one start) while machining. If you get a fire, don't use water, it creates hydrogen on a mag fire. Boom.

 

Magnesium is so cool to burn. We lit some wheel shavings up a few years back, burnt forever......

 

Look for a machine shop with a V.T.L.

 

dont necessarily need a vertical lathe for that or even a big lathe. all you need is a rotary table on a mill if thats all they have. most any qualified job shop could do that easily. id say look at maybe 8 hours, depending on what all you want done.

 

If you go to my myspace page there are pics of Magnesium wheels I welded up repaired and remachined,, my lath will handle a 19" rim.. Let me know ~S

 

Those look an awful lot like a pair I had several years ago - 18" 12 spokes, unmachined hubs and rims - want to sell them?

Steve

 

why not just hand file them?(the tire surface)

 

My buddy (Ed the machinist) worked at a shop where they were turning magnesium castings. Well naturally the foreman wasn't happy with production rates and instructed the machinist to "step it up" - which he did. The mag chips in the bed of the lathe caught fire and literally burned so hot it cut the lathe in half!
Where ever you take them - make sure they are very familiar with machining mag.

 

I'm almost positive I owned that exact pair a couple of years ago. Got 'em from some dude in Ca that had a '56 Chevy. Kind of cool to see 'em again.

ebay giveth and ebay taketh away.

 

There is a local company I use for mag dies, they do it all day, every day, and they had a fire yesterday. Even the pros can have accidents. I doubt most machine shops would risk it for small coin. Find a shop that KNOWS magnesium and it's risks.

 

I work in a diecasting plant that cast mag. Let me tell you I have seen some awesome fires. We even have are own fire brigade. Anyway just make sure whoever does it knows what they are doing the worst fires I have seen have been in the machineing side of the plant. Good luck.