The Ford Barn - View Single Post - O/T What material would you use for new axle shafts?

MikeK · 07-07-2020, 06:47 PM

1144 'stressproof" and do not heat treat it. You need to watch what you buy with 1144, as some of it is approx RC30, some as low as RC15. I would avoid anything supplied under RC20. Keep the feed speed down and flood it with water-soluble while cutting.

McMaster Carr carries several grades of 1144 and you can order just one foot of one inch stock for about $12 if you want to try it with your splining cutters and setup for machine-ability/ finish and fit.

I made plenty of replacement foundry shakeout machinery shafts from the stuff in the '90's and they never snapped like the original shafts they replaced.

07-07-2020, 06:47 PM	#7
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Windy City Posts: 2,919	Re: O/T What material would you use for new axle shafts? 1144 'stressproof" and do not heat treat it. You need to watch what you buy with 1144, as some of it is approx RC30, some as low as RC15. I would avoid anything supplied under RC20. Keep the feed speed down and flood it with water-soluble while cutting. McMaster Carr carries several grades of 1144 and you can order just one foot of one inch stock for about $12 if you want to try it with your splining cutters and setup for machine-ability/ finish and fit. I made plenty of replacement foundry shakeout machinery shafts from the stuff in the '90's and they never snapped like the original shafts they replaced.