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02-23-2012, 01:33 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: santa barbara, CA
Posts: 1,682
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cheap borescope alternatives
hey guys
I was poking around on the internet looking for borescopes to permit images and videos of cylinder walls, valves, and piston heads. There were a couple of long discussions with lots of impressive photos on the "BeechTalk" forum. They are getting good results using cheapo cameras like these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-6-LED-De...item19cdcd88d3
and
http://www.chinavasion.com/product_i...a-with-lights/
These cameras are plugged into a lap top with a USB connection. The BeechTalk group is building a nice archive of photos with discussion that is really useful. Mike Busch among others recommends frequent borescope use to detect damage before it causes a major problem, and as a better diagnostic tool than the standard compression test. For these prices, its worth a try
erich
Last edited by erich weaver : 02-24-2012 at 08:19 AM.
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02-24-2012, 08:13 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 827
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Don't bother with the boroscopes sold at Harbor Freight... you get what you pay for. Don't ask how I know...
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Long-EZ built 1985 -> Sold 2007
RV-9A; N539RV First Flight: 7/2010
RV-8A N468DL 40 hr Flight Test Program
Building Log: www.mykitlog.com/n539rv
APRS Tracking: aprs.fi/n539rv
2017 Paid
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02-24-2012, 09:21 AM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Boone, Iowa
Posts: 342
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We sell one that I tested just this week in a continental. The 9mm camera lets you get into the cylinder and the mirror lets you see the valve. It has a close focus of .4" so it works quite well. The mirror also screws on this model vs. the clip on so it won't come off inside the cylinder. 640x480 quality on a big laptop screen makes for a nicer display than the $500 model. Also works well for behind the panel and in the forward fuse interior area to see those things that are difficult without crawling in upside down. Makes push rod tube bolt inspection easy as well.
http://www.cleavelandtoolstore.com/p...mber=ISG050-09
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02-24-2012, 09:30 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Big Sandy, WY
Posts: 2,567
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I have a small mirror on a handle that fits in a spark plug hole. I can see both valves and the entire cylinder wall with it. It has located several bad valves and a couple dozen scored jugs. No batteries, and...its in color.
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Actual repeat offender.
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02-24-2012, 09:39 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 669
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Question
Quote:
Originally Posted by clevtool
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MIke...a dumb question I'm sure - but is this a camera that can capture images that can be saved on the PC or do you have do screen saves, etc.?
Thanks,
Dan
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RV7A (N7101) - Flying 10/2008
CFI- SE/ME/Inst
A&P
KC2ZEL
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02-24-2012, 10:37 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 211
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clevtool Clarification?
Quote:
Originally Posted by clevtool
We sell one that I tested just this week in a continental. The 9mm camera lets you get into the cylinder and the mirror lets you see the valve. It has a close focus of .4" so it works quite well. -
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The web site link says the focus is 4", not 0.4". Which is it?
Dwight
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RV-10 #40762 - 100 hrs+
Denver, CO
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02-24-2012, 06:56 PM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,012
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I have a different take on one of the Harbor Freight items. Specifically the $199 camera/scope.
http://www.harborfreight.com/high-re...der-67980.html
The camera head isn't articulated like the $10-20,000 fiber scopes I've used in the past. But considering the price, the recording capability (video, still and audio), writes to an SD card, resolution and cordless power capability, it's a nice tool. Quality is also very good for $199.
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02-25-2012, 08:00 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 121
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Snap-On BK-6000
Mike Busch recommends the BK-6000 from Snap-On. They are going for about $500-$600 on Ebay. ($800 new) Would be good for an EAA chapter to have or perhaps to share amongst a group of owners. The BK-6000 is able to take video and pictures, store them on a SIM card for sending via e-mail or showing back at the office is needed.
Recommend listening to this webinar so that you know what your looking at through the borescope. Its called "All about cylinders" and is presented by Mike Busch. He says that if you watch the weinar you will know more than most A&Ps! Since I am one I figured I should watch it as well. Very informative.
http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=991490765001
-David
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02-25-2012, 09:08 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: 8I3
Posts: 3,564
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I've caught cracked cylinders that had great compression a few times using a Lenox borescope. The cracks were hard to see even with its good optical clarity so I'm a little dubious of the effectiveness of a low-resolution camera, regardless of price.
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Please don't PM me! Email only!
Bob Japundza CFI A&PIA
N9187P PA-24-260B Comanche, flying
N678X F1 Rocket, under const.
N244BJ RV-6 "victim of SNF tornado" 1200+ hrs, rebuilding
N8155F C150 flying
N7925P PA-24-250 Comanche, restoring
Not a thing I own is stock.
Last edited by rocketbob : 02-25-2012 at 09:12 AM.
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02-25-2012, 09:11 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: santa barbara, CA
Posts: 1,682
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Quote:
Originally Posted by speyers
Mike Busch recommends the BK-6000 from Snap-On. They are going for about $500-$600 on Ebay. ($800 new) Would be good for an EAA chapter to have or perhaps to share amongst a group of owners. The BK-6000 is able to take video and pictures, store them on a SIM card for sending via e-mail or showing back at the office is needed.
Recommend listening to this webinar so that you know what your looking at through the borescope. Its called "All about cylinders" and is presented by Mike Busch. He says that if you watch the weinar you will know more than most A&Ps! Since I am one I figured I should watch it as well. Very informative.
http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=991490765001
-David
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I'm not knocking what David is saying, all good stuff indeed. Just sayin' (again) check what's being done with the cheap stuff, as posted on the BeechTalk forum. Excellent photos of exhaust valves.
Erich
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