Axle spec

[rodp]

What's the general concensus of opinion regarding material spec for making new Argo axles. I don't need axles at the moment but thought about making a few spares just in case.
From what I can gather off here 4140 (?) is used a lot, however, I can't seem to find a British equivelant to this grade / number and therefore wondering if there's another grade that would do the job.

Cheers men.

[mike d]

Hi rodp. You can check around for chromaloy. We have Mcmaster Carr for a supplier. Google it. There's got to be someone over on your side of the pond. Good luck, Later Mike

[rodp]

Hi Mike and thanks. I can get chromalloy no problem, but what grade / spec ?

Cheers

[jpswift1]

4130 Chromoly. I've had great luck with it. I also heard stressproof......1144 I believe.

[rodp]

Cheers JP, found that one easy enough over here. I take it you just used standard bar, not heat treated or annealed ? What's the procedure with welding it, anything unusual to worry about. We've got mig, tig and stick so should be well covered for equipment.
Is it just preheat, weld and cool slowly?

Thanks

[jpswift1]

Don't use heat treated......standard bar, cold rolled. And yep, you got it as far as welding procedure goes. Happy to help you out......you'll save A LOT of money by making your own axles and it isn't too difficult.

[phabib]

When I looked up welding 4140 I read that it should be heat treated after welding to avoid cracking. You may want to check on the particular alloy you're planning to use.

[rodp]

Just looked up the procedure, one of many (?). Says to weld 4130 to mild steel (the flanges) use mild steel filler, pre heat and air cool slowly. Mild steel filler (wire) is malleable enough to resist cracking to both the fillet and the 4130. I'll probably give it half an hour with some heat after welding anyway, just to be sure. I think it's going to be a suck it and see job.

Cheers men.

[Dozerlarry]

Don't use heat treated......standard bar, cold rolled. And yep, you got it as far as welding procedure goes. Happy to help you out......you'll save A LOT of money by making your own axles and it isn't too difficult.

JP, you talking about the regular cold rolled you can get most anywhere? It's tough but is it tough enough for axles for our rides?

[rodp]

Larry, 4130 is a chromoly bar, not cold rolled mild steel. I think if you used heat treated you'd have problems welding it, certainly in a non controlled environment.
Obvious answer would be to go to 1.5" if possible, this would also give a much better bearing. Without actually checking though I don't know if this is possible.

[Dozerlarry]

Larry, 4130 is a chromoly bar, not cold rolled mild steel. I think if you used heat treated you'd have problems welding it, certainly in a non controlled environment.
Obvious answer would be to go to 1.5" if possible, this would also give a much better bearing. Without actually checking though I don't know if this is possible.

I've got a lot of experience welding 4130 tubing on homebuilt aircraft (TIG). Can't remember ever welding any bar, might could weld it and put it in your oven (wife gone of course) @450 degrees for a while and stress relieve it. Don't know if 1.5" would work. Might be worth playing around with though. Cheers!