AL AT THE SHAPER: These forged chunks are the beginnings of new connecting rod straps. Al is roughing them out, simply to remove the forging and heat treatment scale, and to give them flat and straight surfaces that can then be mill finished. Using a high speed steel cutter on scaly material spells death to a tool steel cutter. The next step is to use a poke bar to clean up the inside surfaces, like has been done to the outsides.

Photo by Rick Brigger