widening hf axles

[satch]

I've been going over some old posts on widening hf axles, the ones I have found are a few years old, so I was wondering if anyone has done this with the 1800#(round axle) with any success.

[madjack]

...not sure about the 1800# axle but "Jim Marshall" did a great job on widening his axle http://tnttt.com/album_ ... C&start=48
madjack

[angib]

Just remember that you can safely widen the axle in the middle - so that the wheels don't overhang the springs any more than they did before.

What you can't (safely) do is widen the axle by increasing the overhang - ie, leaving the spacing between the springs unchanged.

Andrew

[satch]

Thanks for posting back, MJ, I have looked at Jim's photos, and was planning something similar, the only differance is, he has a square axle, and mine is round.The dia. of mine seems to be a hair under 1 3/4"(metric?) Iwould have to find some tube stock that would work.

[doug hodder]

Is it possible to cut the spindles out of the axle and just get a new tube? I've built axles like that before. They don't have the bridge built into them, but it may be easier than trying to align everything for the weld-up. Just a thought. Doug

[satch]

Not sure if that's possible, I thought I would cut it in half and "sleave" it with another tube. I have a tube, but don't know if it will fit.(the trailer is assembled, going to DMV on fri.) My crude measurements say it might be to big(axle)

[HossHoffer]

Is it possible to cut the spindles out of the axle and just get a new tube? I've built axles like that before. They don't have the bridge built into them, but it may be easier than trying to align everything for the weld-up. Just a thought. Doug

I've seen it done. They cut the spindles from the axle leaving a little bit of the axle which were spliced to the new axle. Just as strong as cutting the axle in the middle.

Hoss

[satch]

Thanks for the input,Hoss, I will have to wait 'till this weekend to remove the axle and check the possiblities. You all have been great!!

[Jim Marshall]

Satch, if your axel is round you could weld angle iron from side to side on top and on the bottom of your axel. That would be a lot stronger than your axel is now.

[satch]

Satch, if your axel is round you could weld angle iron from side to side on top and on the bottom of your axel. That would be a lot stronger than your axel is now.

You mean "box it in with two pieces of "L" iron?

[brian_bp]

All of this fabrication sounds like a pile of effort for little benefit. How much does a new beam of the right width (with spindles, but not the springs or hubs) cost?

[satch]

All of this fabrication sounds like a pile of effort for little benefit. How much does a new beam of the right width (with spindles, but not the springs or hubs) cost?

$100.-150,I think,but I don't know if the hf hubs will work,and I hate to waste this axle, plus I just want to know how easy this would be, I may just build over the wheels

[Jim Marshall]

Satch, if your axel is round you could weld angle iron from side to side on top and on the bottom of your axel. That would be a lot stronger than your axel is now.

You mean "box it in with two pieces of "L" iron?

Yes, that is what I was talking about Satch.

[Tx River Rat]

Satch
The splice in the center is best and if you cant find a piece of tubing for the outside find one that fitts inside cut it long enough to extend inside the tube about 6 inches on each side weld and the plug weld it at about four inches.
I have done a jillion of them this way
Ron

[satch]

Satch
The splice in the center is best and if you cant find a piece of tubing for the outside find one that fitts inside cut it long enough to extend inside the tube about 6 inches on each side weld and the plug weld it at about four inches.
I have done a jillion of them this way
Ron

That may be an option,but if the outer dia. is metric, I'm sure the inner is too, won't know untill I "hack" in two. The "L" box might be the only way. I don't know what you guys pay for steel, Here a 20' stick of 2" L angle goes for $45.