95ONE

Call me crazy, but "they've" been bonding valve stems to valves , turbine shafts like this for a long time now.

http://www.mtiwelding.com/friction-w...plications.cfm

If you really want some technology, ask me about Aluminum Valves that have all the properties of titanium.
Well, I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you.

billthe3

What, that they cost a lot?

Van

Friction welding is old... but only works on cylindrical parts that can be spun (like in a lathe).

That NASA post was about using a small rotating pin between two irregular shaped parts to achieve the same type of weld. (Friction welding is very strong, uniform, etc.)

But, yes... can you share details on aluminum valves?

JohnKoaWood

Friction welding works on flat parts just fine, the program I worked on before I changed jobs 18 months ago was a vehicle >70K Lbs, and the basic structure was stir friction welded plates. It is strong but also does create distortion increasing as the material thickness decreases, so for welding a roof panel on it would turn the roof into a pretzel, or maybe a waffle...

333pg333

Is this how they widen one piece cast wheels? I didn't think it was possible but I have been corrected. I would think that strength is the main issue when doing this so the Friction welding sounds a likely suspect. Is FW only applicable to certain metals/materials?

Lorax

I can tell you about an engine that will not use any oil pump or oil at all

Van

Making' progress! The guy doing my body work has done a nice job cleaning up my roof work. Rear fender looks good, too.

Should be painted this weekend.

DanR

VERY nice Van, looks great! Did it end up needing a lot of filler? What do you plan to do to the interior of the roof?

Any chance of having it back for April 6?

reno808

Van you have a flat on your rear driver side. BTW the roof looks very nice

Van

No, not much filler. A lot of hammer and dolly work. I got a piece of maroon vinyl I'm going to glue to the inside of the roof.

Most likely I'll be driving the 996 April 6. Shoot - that's like 3 weeks away!

Optical illusion due to camera angle and sanding dust.

Dougs951

Do you have any pictures of the underside of the roof from the inside?

VOoDOoGTX

wow van looks nice! dont crash it this time

ausgeflippt951

Looks great! Now, you could've saved yerself the hassle and just bought yerself a factory sunroof delete car...like I did...

(Not a good picture. Plus, the car's dirty :P)

333pg333

Nice work Van. Look forward to the finished item. Good inspiration to do the same but looks like a bit of work. If I ever get a car caged though....

Van

Hard to say... stripping another car, fabricating a full cage, changing over the entire drivetrain and suspension would also be a bit of work... And, I wanted to keep the silver rose color (to be unique). Oh, and I would have had to move over a bit of the wiring harness to keep the ABS...

Sorry Doug, no pictures of the inside yet.

Don't worry Voodoo, I've written a note to put on the steering wheel: "Don't Crash!"