CycleKarts

The wheel adapters look like being a...

Author Simon S Murray

Published February 28, 2022

Views 73167

The wheel adapters look like being a success. That's more than I can say for the ebay buggy axle, which was poor quality and not even true; about 3 - 4mm runout in the centre. So I sent it back. So I am now looking to source a 25mm dia 1000mm long axle with a 6mm keyway and circlip grooves on the ends. Any pointers, anyone? Alternatively, I could have one made. I doubt I could make one myself. Have fun! Simon

Comments

Simon S Murray 2022-02-28 06:16

It's early days and this is just a trial cut on the scrap end of my 25mm axle stock - but this does suggest that I may be able to cut the keyways I want, with a vise clamped to the vertical slide on the Myford! Woo hoo! :(cool)

Mick 2022-02-28 06:16

Good stuff Simon. Those Myfords really are versatile little machines.

Simon S Murray 2022-02-28 06:16

You've encouraged me, Mick! I found that I have a vertical slide for the Myford, along with a vice and a 6mm milling bit. Also found a circlip groove tool. No reason I can't cut the keyways myself - although it will be a bit jerry-rigged. My mate has a big lathe and I can cut the circlip grooves on that (the Myford doesn't have the bed length to handle a 1016mm long axle). More to come ... Have fun Simon

Simon S Murray 2022-02-28 06:16

Well, I bought my axle steel. 5.8m of 25mm 1020 bright bar - $80. Enough for maybe 5 axles. Should be be able to cut a keyway, one way or another. I think that's all I need. No steps or threads required for my plan. Have fun! Simon

Mick 2022-02-28 06:16

I'm unfortunately not familiar with Bayside so could not really suggest anywhere to get steel from there. I was going to suggest if you are local you could pop round and we could use my shop. Generally steel is steel, It's mostly sold by weight so you pay the same price as the next man unless you have a trade discount. The main difference with not buying an entire length is you also have to pay for the cut. Calling around and seeing if anyone has offcuts is always an option too. I generally do this when I just need small parts or I go and trawl through the offcuts bin in my local steel shop to see what I can find. One thing to consider is that bright bar is unfortunately more expensive than general round bar as it is already machined to size, so if you are trying to keep to a budget you could also just buy regular round bar and machine it yourself. This is a much cheaper option but obviously requires that you do the machining. You will save $$'s if you can do that yourself. You should also consider that you do not need to machine the entire length. You may struggle to turn the axle on a Myford, they have a very small headstock bore IIRC (3/4" ??) but not impossible to do if you have a fixed steady, just perhaps a little unorthodox (see photo). You can also mount a cutter in the chuck and the axle on the slide to mill the keyway. Milling is a common activity on the ML7. Supporting the free end is the real challenge. Might need a second pair of hands. There's heaps of info out there on work-holding using a Myford, they are very versatile machines and favoured by the model engineering crowd. Using a small machine to do big jobs is a path well trodden. If you get stuck feel free to sing out.

Simon S Murray 2022-02-28 06:16

Thanks for your encouragement, Mick. Yeah, I'm happy with those. I have my dad's old Myford Super 7 and that was my first real turning job. Now I just need a 25mm axle for them! I'm in Bayside Melbourne and also on the Mornington Peninsula. I've looked at most options, a couple are looking OK-ish including UK Kart Store and Lightning Karts in WA (waiting for a shipping estimate from them). I'm also waiting on a local machine shop (Dajer Engineering) for a quote. Most of the kart outlets are supplying 30, 35, 40 and 50mm hollow axles these days. I'm shooting for 25mm. And one problem with buying steel of course, is that we guys want such a tiny quantity that we pay top dollar! I got my frame steel in three 8m lengths and cut it down to fit inside my landcruiser, outside Melsteel, on their nature strip! Where would suggest sourcing a meter of 25mm bright bar from? Have fun! Simon

Mick 2022-02-28 06:16

Those look great. I opted to try and make my own axle but to date have not finished it. It's only a case of milling the key slots and turning the threads on the end which any machine shop can do but having to pay someone to do that kind of work pushes the price right up there when compared to what you pay for an off the shelf go kart axle. Have you considered taking a look at one of the proper go kart outlets. They might have a better quality offering. Other than that what you need is 25mm bright bar - this has a machined to size finish - you can then get the rest of the machining quoted at a machine shop. Where are you based?

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