forgeing splines using a axle and press

   / forgeing splines using a axle and press #1  

muddstopper

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2006
Messages
2,303
Location
western NC
Tractor
Ventrac, Steiner
I need to put some splines in a piece of 1/2flat plate. I know there are a thousand ways to do this, but I dont have any of those tools. So my question is, if I put the piece of flat plate in a forge and heat it and then use a press to push the plate over the splined axle stub, or axle stub thru the plate, what am I going to tear up. The purpose of the flat plate is to make a lever to turn the axle in the hub. 180* of rotation is all I am after. The lever will be pushed with a small hyd cyl. I dont want to just weld the plate to the axle because I wouldnt be able to remove the axle if the need arises later. I am hopeing the axle splines will act like a broach as they pass thru the plate metal. The fact that as the metal cools should make a super tight press fit would be a bonus. Should I grind the spline end flat so it would cut as it passes thru the plate metal, or just use brute force to press the axle thru the plate and let the melted metal form its own splines.
 
   / forgeing splines using a axle and press #2  
Broaching isn’t typically done with heat. I’m guessing you are going to make a senior project that doesn’t yield the desired results.

If I needed to make that tool I’d be finding whatever the axle went into- hub, differential etc. Then I’d get one of those and add a handle or whatever else to I could rotate that axle.
 
   / forgeing splines using a axle and press #3  
I would put a sleeve or "hub" on axle, attach sleeve/hub to axle with through bolt or set screws and weld arm to sleeve... Thusly eliminating welding arm directly on axle or trying to broach splines...

Dale
 
   / forgeing splines using a axle and press
  • Thread Starter
#4  
While it would be preferable to just find the rearend and steal a spider gear the axle came out of. I dont have a clue as what to look for. The axle came out of a tube assembly without the centersection still attached. Its old, probably 60's something dual wheel truck. I dont know if its chevy, ford or dodge, might even be a old international.

As or broaching, I dont have the tools for it, which is why I am considering trying to forge. More of a swage attempt than broach.
The purpose of this project is to make a small boom for loading wood on my trailer. I have the axle tube, axle and hub assembly. My plans are to mount the boom with a atv winch to pick up large rounds and small logs to place on the trailer. I have a multi-spool solenoid control valve that I will be connecting to my dump trailer hyd pump in the place of the current single spool valve. The boom will have a small hyd cyl to raise and lower the boom and I wish to attach a couple of small cyl's to the lower end of the axle to give me 180* of rotation. Now I could just simply weld the attachment arm to the end of the axle, but then if the bearings or hub ever needs worked on, I would have no way to pull the axle unless I take a torch to it.
 
   / forgeing splines using a axle and press #5  
Sounds like a great use for a truck axle. A pic of the spline with a scale for comparison would help. A full spline is overkill for your low torque app so maybe a precise hole thru your bar with some improvised interference with a spline tooth or two would be easier.
 
   / forgeing splines using a axle and press #6  
Why not just cut or grind the end of the axle stub square? It would then be easy to cut a matching square hole in your plate.
 
   / forgeing splines using a axle and press
  • Thread Starter
#7  
axle is approx 1 3/8 dia and 1 1/4 long. It sticks out the end of the tube about 3 inches, more than enough to attach a swing arm. Resized_20190421_191056.jpeg
 
   / forgeing splines using a axle and press
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Why not just cut or grind the end of the axle stub square? It would then be easy to cut a matching square hole in your plate.

I thought about doing that, but not until after I started this thread, and may do that yet. I now just need to satisfy my curiousity about doing it the way I suggested.
 
   / forgeing splines using a axle and press #9  
I thought about doing that, but not until after I started this thread, and may do that yet. I now just need to satisfy my curiousity about doing it the way I suggested.

In that case cut a 1” D hole in the flat bar you plan to use for a handle. . Cut an 1.5 “+ hole in another thick piece of flat bar to act as a die. Grind a bit of a taper on the axle stub.

Heat bar with 1”D hole, place on top of other bar with larger hole and push axle through..
 
   / forgeing splines using a axle and press #10  
If it's mild steel plate why not just hand file the splines in? Marking it out and using a good file it would not take long to rough it out. How long it takes to finish depends on how accurate you want your splines.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2022 Bobcat T76 Compact Track Loader Skid Steer (A35915)
2022 Bobcat T76...
2021 John Deere 4023R Sprayer (A35465)
2021 John Deere...
2015 Genie GS2632 Scissor Lift, (A35430)
2015 Genie GS2632...
Vermeer Stump Grinder, (A35430)
Vermeer Stump...
2006 Utility VS-2RA Refrigerated Van Trailer, (A35430)
2006 Utility...
Troy-Bilt Trail Blazer Sickle Mower (A36602)
Troy-Bilt Trail...
 
Top