September 29, 200916 yr Well I have to replace the rear axle in my 52' Ford 8N. The axle lasted 57 years(dont make em' like that anymore) but now the hub wont fit snug...Anyway now I have this wonderfully large chunk of axle steel..Probably 2" thick..I know it has to be pretty good steel..Anyone want to hazard a guess at the grade? Anyone worked with old axle steel before?
September 29, 200916 yr Often a medium carbon steel 4140 or similar. Usually will make good hammers and hardy tools. As with all recycled steels though, test and guess.
September 29, 200916 yr Be sure to check across the cross section too. I expect that age to be solid, but it might be case hardened. Phil
September 29, 200916 yr Old axles where tempered differently at the ends where the splines and bearing seat was as compared to the centre area. The centres where normalized I think....not sure.
September 29, 200916 yr Author Often a medium carbon steel 4140 or similar. Usually will make good hammers and hardy tools. As with all recycled steels though, test and guess. My first thought was hammers..It is a solid axle, no doubt..When it rolled off the table and onto my foot I wished it wasnt :rolleyes:
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