gt14rider 759 #1 Posted February 8, 2023 Hi all, Can anyone please tell me what type of steel axles are? Trying to get cutter speed correct. Knowing the type steel would help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,075 #2 Posted February 8, 2023 I don't know the technical stuff but they are mild and not hardened. Easy to cut and drill. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,849 #3 Posted February 8, 2023 Do they have hardened spots for the bearings Bob? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,658 #4 Posted February 8, 2023 (edited) They work harden right behind the hub. My friend cut full keyways in my 1" axles the were so hard right a the back of the hubs he couldn't cut any further. Edited February 8, 2023 by Lee1977 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,075 #5 Posted February 8, 2023 35 minutes ago, Pullstart said: Do they have hardened spots for the bearings Bob? I've never seen that Kevin but you see what @Lee1977 said. I've cut them numerous times. Mostly bad axles that I was repurposing. Never hit a hard spot yet. Maybe just some of them? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,305 #6 Posted February 8, 2023 The axles are induction hardened where the bearing runs, that hard area will extend beyond the bearing a variable amount. They are not work hardened. Test the area with the corner of a file before attempting to cut a keyway. The speed for the cutter will be found on many online charts and calculators, use the alloy or tool steel option. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,216 #7 Posted February 9, 2023 I had a key-way cut a couple weeks ago and the machinist was unaware of the induction hardened area until his cutter broke when it got to the hard spot. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
