Indeed, you can resurface cylinder heads using a treadmill... if you're feeling adventurous.

      Hemi Garage Hacks on YouTube

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      Specialized shop tools can get pricey quickly. If you're considering purchasing a machine to resurface cylinder heads, you might need to spend at least $3,000, and depending on your preferences, even more. Alternatively, if that's not feasible, you could hire a machinist who already has the necessary equipment, though that will require some waiting. But if neither option works for you, what do you do? If you’re like David Miller, the creator of Hemi Garage Hacks on YouTube, you construct your own machine using a treadmill.

      And he isn’t joking. Miller asserts that he has resurfaced over 1,000 cylinder heads with his homemade devices over the past 13 years. This is impressive, especially considering his latest version was built for under $500.

      In his latest video, Miller explains that this creation is based on a treadmill with a high weight capacity and a medical gurney. It employs a granite slab along with a glass sheet on top, providing a solid base that allows custom-ordered sanding belts to operate freely. At one end, there's a metal bar that serves as a backstop for the cylinder heads, making the task relatively effortless.

      It apparently takes about four or five heads to break in each belt, so until that point, he manually smooths the surfaces. Once broken in, it finishes them off nicely, allowing him to complete a full resurface in just minutes. Achieving good results requires moving the head back and forth on the belt and changing direction at least once or twice. While it may not be the most complicated task, it demands precision for an accurate outcome.

      Miller emphasizes that the most critical element of the build is ensuring the sanding surface is true. To achieve this, he advises placing a straight edge on the glass surface with a head on it to confirm accuracy. Gaps should be checked from front to back using a .001-inch feeler gauge, and if any gaps exist, a shim should be placed between the glass and the granite. You’ll be thankful for this step.

      Every head processed on this makeshift machining bench is tested afterward using a straight edge. The .001-inch feeler gauge ensures that they are level across the entire surface, from the outside edges to the inside. If this method was ineffective, the engines wouldn’t hold compression once they are put back together, resulting in evident failures.

      This is an excellent example of making the most of available resources. For many individuals and small shops, purchasing expensive machining tools isn’t viable, and building one at home can save the hassle of waiting for someone else. Moreover, if you are using it for customer projects, you'll quickly recoup your modest investment.

      If it seems unconventional but gets the job done, then it’s not foolish.

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