Magnaflux - Who does it? (fan blade)

[Bloo]

Who can magnaflux a radiator fan blade? I have pretty much exhausted local options, except for one I am probably not going to use. I'm now considering mailing it somewhere. Any suggestions? Good experiences with some specific company? Thanks.

 

I may have posted this before but lost track of the thread.

 

[Fordy]

Hi Bloo - obviously you are looking for cracks. If you don't locate someone try the spray on dyes that will highlight cracks under UV light or alternatively a strong magnet on the piece and dust with iron filings - there should be a definite concentration along any fracture line as it will create opposing magnetic poles.

Cheers

Steve

[Bloo]

There is a guy who can do the dye testing near the local airport. I don't remember the exact cost but pretty high. I understand magnetic testing can detect smaller cracks. Just a plain magnet will do? that's good to know. I've wanted to get this Pontiac fan tested for years because it's construction looks exactly like the later Hupmobile one that has a reputation for coming apart.

[Fordy]

Plain magnet will work but the stronger the better. If you think about those old diagrams showing magnetic flux where it has greater density at the poles then a crack will act as 2 poles a N & S and the flux converges and is concentrated there so the filings will be thicker at that point. Iron is better rather than steel filings as they are a more powdery form but either will work.

[31Buick96S]

Either a local crank grinder or cylinder head specialist should have magnaflux equipment.

[Bloo]

Thanks for all the responses! There is one local outfit who have equipment or so I'm told. The last time I took them something it was for press work and they missed by half an inch and then tried to convince me I had imagined it. It was a long time ago and no doubt there is different staff now but I'm not in a wild rush to go back there for anything. I think I'm looking to mail this fan somewhere. Any leads on competent magnetic powder testing would be appreciated.

[Frank DuVal]

Well, for about $1200 you can become the guy who does small parts!

[Hemi Joel]

Where are you located? I'm in Minnesota, and I could do it if you stop by.

[Bloo]

Wenatchee, WA...

[EmTee]

I'd probably try something like this first:  https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/testing-cracks-home-diy-dye-penetrants/

[TTR]

As someone already mentioned, I’d think any crankshaft grinder, cylinder head/engine machine shop should be able to do it.

My go-to engine machine shop (here in SoCal) recently checked a Cord 812 transaxle case for/with me, took us about 10-15 minutes or so because I wanted to photo-document couple of small (non-critical) fractures that showed up with black light.

 

[Restorer32]

We have all our magnafluxing done by a local NAPA machine shop.  Any shop that rebuilds engines should have the necessary equipment and expertise.

[Oldtech]

Local aircraft shop should be able to do it too. 

[CHuDWah]

On 7/18/2023 at 3:21 AM, Bloo said:

There is a guy who can do the dye testing near the local airport. I don't remember the exact cost but pretty high. I understand magnetic testing can detect smaller cracks. Just a plain magnet will do? that's good to know. I've wanted to get this Pontiac fan tested for years because it's construction looks exactly like the later Hupmobile one that has a reputation for coming apart.

 

Neodymium magnets are the strongest commercially available.  They stick to anything iron/steel and I sometimes have trouble pulling them off - have to slide them off the edge of whatever they're stuck on.  Home Depot has them in different sizes/shapes and they're not very expensive.  My old fingers are no longer nimble and I have trouble threading in screws, especially small ones.  I stick a magnet on the screwdriver shaft and it's strong enough to hold the screw on the blade, so I can start/tighten it easy-peasy.

[Bloo]

Thanks for the responses. Unfortunately I pretty much exhausted local options before I posted this. I do know someone who does a lot of cylinder head work. I'll give him a call on Monday and see if he can do it. Unfortunately he is about 3 hours away. It might be worth the drive to finally get this done. Otherwise I guess it's neo magnets and hope I don't miss anything.

[Bloo]

Well, I guess I dropped the ball on that, I still haven't called that guy. In another couple of days I'll have a couple of Mazda hubs I'd like to get checked as well. It is a long drive from here, but I'll do it if no better options pop up. Anyone know if I need to strip the paint off the fan blade? I suspect so, but I'm not sure.