Van Norman boring bar advice...

[mustangbrandon]

I was lucky enough to score some great machine shop items in an auction. I had been searching for a boring bar (honestly because I was bored) and I ended up with two, along with other vintage machine shop stuff. I got a 944 and a 905. Both standard, not "super sucker" S models.

My question is which one to keep as I only need one. From what I can gather, the 905 just can do bigger bores, both diamter and depth. It looks like the 944 and do up to 4.4ish. I primarily have and work on early stuff, and SBF, and an occasion FE. I really don't think I would have a need to go over a 4.4" bore. Is there anything else I am missing between the two? Both are exceptional, and after I gave them a grease tune up and oil in the proper places, the both operate perfectly. Parts availabiltiy isn't an issue for either one... So... which to keep?

Side note, i also got a vintage Kwik Way rod/cap grinder and a really cool Sunnen hanging "in car" crankshaft grinder... even a mint 1947 Crafstman benchtop drill press... which weighs a damn ton.

Any advice on the boring bars would be great and appreciated!

 

[petehoovie]

I was lucky enough to score some great machine shop items in an auction. I had been searching for a boring bar (honestly because I was bored) and I ended up with two, along with other vintage machine shop stuff. I got a 944 and a 905. Both standard, not "super sucker" S models.

My question is which one to keep as I only need one. From what I can gather, the 905 just can do bigger bores, both diamter and depth. It looks like the 944 and do up to 4.4ish. I primarily have and work on early stuff, and SBF, and an occasion FE. I really don't think I would have a need to go over a 4.4" bore. Is there anything else I am missing between the two? Both are exceptional, and after I gave them a grease tune up and oil in the proper places, the both operate perfectly. Parts availabiltiy isn't an issue for either one... So... which to keep?

Side note, i also got a vintage Kwik Way rod/cap grinder and a really cool Sunnen hanging "in car" crankshaft grinder... even a mint 1947 Crafstman benchtop drill press... which weighs a damn ton.

Any advice on the boring bars would be great and appreciated!

 

[Kurt in NJ]

the one that bores the straight hole 90 degrees to the block deck.
Do they both have complete tool kits?
Bit holders for replaceable tips?
bore a hole without using the centering fingers and rotate the bar 180 degrees and bore again and see if it bores straight

 

[mustangbrandon]

Kurt, both are true, perfect bore and operation. Both have complete tool kits and extra parts. They were exceptionally maintained. So I'm leaning towards the 944 as it's alot easier to move around. While the 905 isn't as bulky as a 977, it's still a beast. Just trying to find out if there is any upside to the 905 besides depth and size it can bore. Hard to find any literature specifically to the 905...

 

[Ggmac]

I would probably take the larger one as it would be more rigid , especially when using it on smaller cylinders.
You got a nice haul . Wish I had a purchase like that .