Author Topic: Smith Needle Valve shortening (Read 1417 times)

Allen Eshleman · « **on:** July 06, 2015, 07:20:27 PM »

Has anyone shortened a Randy Smith needle valve?

I have thought of cutting one off and putting a piece of 3/8 balsa on the end, glued on with epoxy or thick CA. The idea is to make a round piece about about 3/8 inch thick both ways, drill a small hole just a bit smaller than the needle stem.

Another way would be to cut it and bend it but that is good stuff. Too hard to bend.

If I wasn't hauling in tight quarters and meeting the ground too often, I wouldn't need to do this.

RknRusty · « **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2015, 10:19:02 PM »

I cut a ST needle to a stub and secured a wheel collar on it with a 4-40screw that was long enough to get a grip on when tuning it. I added some JB weld just as added security.
Rusty

bob whitney · « **Reply #2 on:** July 07, 2015, 08:10:25 AM »

cut the needle about 3/8 longer than u want it . thread it into the spraybar , use a propane tank to heat up the end of the needle cherry red and bend it ,let it cool and u are good to go

RandySmith · « **Reply #3 on:** July 07, 2015, 08:56:51 AM »

Quote from: Allen Eshleman on July 06, 2015, 07:20:27 PM

Has anyone shortened a Randy Smith needle valve?

I have thought of cutting one off and putting a piece of 3/8 balsa on the end, glued on with epoxy or thick CA. The idea is to make a round piece about about 3/8 inch thick both ways, drill a small hole just a bit smaller than the needle stem.

Another way would be to cut it and bend it but that is good stuff. Too hard to bend.

If I wasn't hauling in tight quarters and meeting the ground too often, I wouldn't need to do this.

Hi Allen

the needle is bendable, I have no problems bending them , as they all come straight, try a vise or vise grips if you have trouble, not on the threads though :-)

Randy

Allen Eshleman · « **Reply #4 on:** July 07, 2015, 01:08:42 PM »

Thanks Randy, Bob and Rusty,

I know what I need to know. I have one straight extra.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2015, 06:28:12 PM »

FWIW, it's that angled "handle" that makes the NV tend to unscrew itself. A long needle with a heavy knob on it will likely break off at the end of the threads. Dirt sometimes used an R/C car pinion gear for a knob. Mine broke the NV off when I tried that. They're not cheap, but if you can get some worn-out ones from R/C car guys for nothing, it'll do, if you can keep the NV short.

Randy's NV Assys are THE BEST.

Steve

Allen Eshleman · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2015, 02:15:13 PM »

I found a cutter that I have which was able to cut a Smith needle and I did it. Then I used Rusty's idea and put on a hub with a screw in it.

Agreed Steve, Randy's nva's are the best.

RknRusty · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2015, 09:22:26 PM »

Allen, glad you liked my idea. I hope it works well for you.
Rusty

Allen Eshleman · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2015, 09:26:18 PM »

I soaked mine in super glue. I hope that holds.

Author Topic: Smith Needle Valve shortening (Read 1417 times)

Allen Eshleman

Smith Needle Valve shortening

RknRusty

Re: Smith Needle Valve shortening

bob whitney

Re: Smith Needle Valve shortening

RandySmith

Re: Smith Needle Valve shortening

Allen Eshleman

Re: Smith Needle Valve shortening

Steve Helmick

Re: Smith Needle Valve shortening

Allen Eshleman

Re: Smith Needle Valve shortening

RknRusty

Re: Smith Needle Valve shortening

Allen Eshleman

Re: Smith Needle Valve shortening