Thread: machining an axle

Originally Posted by Vern

at the cv end they are

Could you provide a pic?

Could sort something over the weekend

Originally Posted by uninformed

I can understand price shopping, but not when its apples to oranges...

??? They are all stronger axles. They all seems to have about the same failure rate, which is pretty low. Admittedly AMS6418 is a very good material, but the specs for 4340 these days seems about as good.

When I visited Keith, he arranged for me to go "wheeling" with a customer of his in some mountains in Colorado. I was very impressed with what his axles held up to. Tougher than 99% of AU users would put them up to.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

??? They are all stronger axles. They all seems to have about the same failure rate, which is pretty low. Admittedly AMS6418 is a very good material, but the specs for 4340 these days seems about as good.

When I visited Keith, he arranged for me to go "wheeling" with a customer of his in some mountains in Colorado. I was very impressed with what his axles held up to. Tougher than 99% of AU users would put them up to.

That's all great if the axles fit. But they don't. So price shopping for axles is between apples and rotten tomatoes...

I have never bought anything from keith, I have chatted through Pm's and he even helped me with some shipping from the USA, in his own time, for something that wasnt even his product (thanks again). I have always found him to be a good guy.

I am not here to Judge keith at all.

I can understand frustrations as a consumer in general.

What keith feels perfectly adequate and the customer feels, may be 2 different things, only made harder to reconsile due to the distance.....

Originally Posted by isuzurover

??? They are all stronger axles. They all seems to have about the same failure rate, which is pretty low. Admittedly AMS6418 is a very good material, but the specs for 4340 these days seems about as good.

When I visited Keith, he arranged for me to go "wheeling" with a customer of his in some mountains in Colorado. I was very impressed with what his axles held up to. Tougher than 99% of AU users would put them up to.

Now most here know Im a big fan of Mal, MD, Barry and Hi-tough....but those that actually know me, know that more than that, Im a fan of tech, learning and finding out about best practice and practical application.

so lets not look at the man, but the product:

material: 4340, Ben I was listening when John recently talked about the improvements made in the manufacturing processes of 4340. He also said he could not comment if improvements had been made or NOT for AMS6418....even If not, does 4340 have the same impact resistance?

Design: You are well aware of good VS bad practice in this area. How much of a difference does it really make not being wasted?

Heat treating: Through harden Vs induction harden, what are the differences, what are the pro's cons?

If keith or anyone buys a pre-hardend "blank" and just machines the end and spline, this will of coarse reduce labour times and cost....but how much $$$ does it save over proper design and what is the % difference in axle life?

a lot of variables I know, but the whole $$$ thing kinda bugs me when alot (not all) think they are buying apples for apples, or even the cheaper stuff better......maybe it is , then again, maybe it isnt.

Keith was great to deal with, product looks good, and am impressed with the gear he's been making for the Outers boys (40 spline sals mogs). Would have liked a bolt in product though, pretty simple. He did say he only had 93 model swivels to work off, mine are 86 county. So that could be the difference. ?

Originally Posted by Vern

Keith was great to deal with, product looks good, and am impressed with the gear he's been making for the Outers boys (40 spline sals mogs). Would have liked a bolt in product though, pretty simple. He did say he only had 93 model swivels to work off, mine are 86 county. So that could be the difference. ?

that plus LR dubious machining tolerances.....still If the spline fits through, a good axle should IMO

Agree 100%, you can feel where it tapers up, about 6" up the axle, short axle is perfect. Could probably linish it.