Trike spindle what metal grade

[nicko868]

Hello guys, Im going to have to machine a spindle or front axle for my trike, I was wondering what would be the best grade steel to be using if any one has any ideas at all ?

Cheers

 

[minimutly]

I used a metro driveshaft - the creator had welded a bolt to the original.
That reminds me - I need to screw out the broken clamp bolts on the toolpost. Long term I would like to fit some quick change tooling, but damnit - it's expensive.

 

[nicko868]

View attachment 232819 View attachment 232820 I used a metro driveshaft - the creator had welded a bolt to the original.
That reminds me - I need to screw out the broken clamp bolts on the toolpost. Long term I would like to fit some quick change tooling, but damnit - it's expensive.

thats not a bad shout using an existing driveshaft!

 

[addjunkie]

Id use EN16 T for a wheel or steering spindle for that matter.

Or use an existing spindle and modify to suit. Id be weary of using bits from different applications.

 

[brightspark]

halfshafts are pretty hard but can be machined

 

[RichardM]

EN8 or EN16

https://www.smithmetal.com/en8.htm

 

[nicko868]

Cheers for all the replies guys has given me some direction for sure. and that website is being bookmarked, cheers!

 

[addjunkie]

halfshafts are pretty hard but can be machined

I shortened some ford ones, when I built this trike. They were hard as hell on the outside, but quite soft once through the outer layers, awful to machine.

 

[nicko868]

I shortened some ford ones, when I built this trike. They were hard as hell on the outside, but quite soft once through the outer layers, awful to machine.
View attachment 233067

Yeah I machined down my reliant ones when i shortened mine I know what you mean about the machining though!. I just need to make my front spindle as my front forks are almost 11" wide and will be using a 1" bearing rear Harley wheel up front so nothing stock will fit. I do have a pair of TD5 half shafts at home though which are about 30mm thick so i reckon they could be re purposed.

 

[outofthefire]

Yeah I machined down my reliant ones when i shortened mine I know what you mean about the machining though!. I just need to make my front spindle as my front forks are almost 11" wide and will be using a 1" bearing rear Harley wheel up front so nothing stock will fit. I do have a pair of TD5 half shafts at home though which are about 30mm thick so i reckon they could be re purposed.

I don't know where we buy en8 from, but my boss told me yesterday a billet large enough to machine a 28lb fencing maul is only £7, so it shouldn't cost much for a spindle sized bit, but we have got some big chisels kicking about somewhere that we used to make for the mining industry that are en8 what size do you need?

 

[Brad93]

I don't know where we buy en8 from, but my boss told me yesterday a billet large enough to machine a 28lb fencing maul is only £7, so it shouldn't cost much for a spindle sized bit, but we have got some big chisels kicking about somewhere that we used to make for the mining industry that are en8 what size do you need?

Chisels won’t be EN8, en8 is a low carbon steel, they wouldn’t harden.

Personally I don’t think EN8 is strong enough for a spindle. It’s only just tougher than mild steel.

EN16 or EN24

 

[Seadog]

EN16 or EN21 is better - John Stevenson's advice.

 

[nicko868]

SO from what I am taking the general consensus a re purposed half shaft machined down is a bad idea ? I can get EN19 from a place local but only in 3 meter lengths that was another reason why i was wondering if there was another way.

 

[addjunkie]

If buying steel make sure it has the correct for purpose heat treatment too, not just EN16, but needs the common T as there are other varients to, not quite as suitable to your purpose. Endings such as R and S, or also unheat treated.

 

[nickk]

Whenever I’ve machined driveshafts they’re very magnetised,or become so very quickly,nearly always Land Rover ones.

 

[nicko868]

Thats odd, take it that could be down to the carbon content then.

 

[minimutly]

I shortened some ford ones, when I built this trike. They were hard as hell on the outside, but quite soft once through the outer layers, awful to machine.
View attachment 233067

Some are very much like this, some are hard very deep (vauxhall), some (Leyland mini, metro) are soft enough to machine without coolant, just a squirt or two.

 

[minimutly]

Some are very much like this, some are hard very deep (vauxhall), some (Leyland mini, metro) are soft enough to machine without coolant, just a squirt or two.

I would have no issue using a metro shaft again, or anything as long as it isn't too hard.

 

[nicko868]

I would have no issue using a metro shaft again, or anything as long as it isn't too hard.

I think I will give it a go and see how it goes. I have a thread on the trike doctor forum not updated since like January last year as I have only just got back on it but you have replied there a couple of times! hoping to push on with it now!

 

[minimutly]

I think I will give it a go and see how it goes. I have a thread on the trike doctor forum not updated since like January last year as I have only just got back on it but you have replied there a couple of times! hoping to push on with it now!

Get on with it!