Technical So I bought this axle...

Years ago at a swap meet I took in this axle on a trade for an F-1 gas tank. It was wrapped in plastic and in a box so I didn't bother to look much at it and took it home and tossed it on a shelf in the shed thinking I'd flip it or use it on a project. Fast forward to last week and not being able to go to swap meets I decided to start listing some parts on line and pulled the axle out to take pictures. that Only to find axle has 1/4 notch in the casting. I know it's an off shore knock off but was wondering what you fellows think of this. Should I run it as is? Can it be welded? Should I sell it with a warning? Or should flip it around to the good side and hang it on the wall with my other treasures?

 

Cast?

scrap iron pile, perhaps?

 

That is pretty edgy, it would make a decent mail box post.

 

Can't say for any others,but, If I needed that ,an cost was fairly low,I'd get it !, I'd ark weld it with high nickel rod an smooth out nice. Used on a under 2000lb rod,I'd feel OK with that. But I don't need it,already have a axle for my only left over project I've not finished an maybe will not get around to..

 

Wall hanger. Poor casting, and if they didn’t think enough about that to hold it back from being shipped I’d wonder about their metallurgy standards too.

 

Looks like cast. I wouldn’t use it.

 

I think that is a casting flaw. There may be some chance somebody could use it, probably best to use for an art project.

 

Sorry you got the shaft.

 

Scrap it! If you do use it as a wall hanging, screw it up more (on the side against the wall) so it will definitely NOT be useable. Even with a warning to a buyer, some yahoo may use it..."The life you save may be your own"! (picture Brodrick Crawford here)

 

I like the mail box post idea

 

Unfortunate that the swap meet seller forgot to tell you about that flaw.

 

You , or someone who can weld cast can fill that defect. Really won’t do squat to strengthen the axle , the casting looks grainy.

I wouldn’t run it.

what do you think you could get for a cast off shore axle ??

bet you could get more for it welded to a big old rotor or brake drum, then stick a mail box on it or get a piston out of a big diesel and market it as an ash tray.

yuppies and millennials love this repurposed stuff.

Years ago I had a v12 crank welded to a big brembo rotor and a big diesel piston on top as an ash tray
Sold it for $300 bucks !!!!
It was all scrap I picked out of the bin at work ! Lol.

in this day and age of sue everyone cause it’s not my fault . I’d be weary of selling it as a useable axle.

 

That's just the flaw you can see. I bet an x-ray would show lots of internal defects. Even if you very carefully preheat, weld nd post stress relieve, it will always be a stress concentration

 

Here in a small town we have several "unique" mail box post.
One is a old 20's-40's bicycle ... another is a old sporster chopper hard tail .... just yard art but not really my style ....
So when @saltracer219 mentioned a mailbox post ... Now am on the look out for a old straight axle to use myself.
Yeah that be my style, old 40's Dodge straight axle.

 

Just curious. Do you know what company manufactured that axle?
Many folks say to avoid cast axles no matter what the price but,
I know Magnum makes good quality cast axles.
I personally would not use that axle and would not try to sell it.
Use it as a wall hangar to keep your conscience clear.

 

Do you have a metal chop saw? If so, I see book ends and paper weights, with angle cuts you have door stops.

Bob

 

I think I would try to sell it with the understanding that it’s decoration or mock up only. But the mail box idea is great also.

 

IMO don't sell it, as you don't know if the buyer will use it on a car, and then have an accident. Then come after you for damages, real and imagined.

 

Toss it and spend your money on a forged axle. Not worth the risk.

 

It's a Nader.

 

No Bueno..

 

Like the man said,,,,,the cast metal looks like a low quality iron .
Nothing can beat a forged one for safety !
And besides,,,,I wouldn’t want something like that on my conscience .
Looks dangerous !

Tommy

 

When I blow up the picture on my phone & squint thru the plastic it looks like it has the barrel shape at the spring perch that denotes Hoffman Group. Read up on them and run.

 

Could have been like @ramblin dan and bought it, never took it out of the box and didn't know then sold it. I have a 4 speed shifter that I have never opened. Is it missing parts or damaged? I don't know as the box is still factory sealed from Hurst from who knows how many years ago. I got it with the purchase of a now long gone car and he never saw the need to open it. Besides the point. The close up of the holes also reveals a very porous casting that would minimal at best. Yea a wall hanger after completely disabling it for any future use after your demise. Or a mail box post.

 

Go ahead and use it.........we'll be waiting here to hear your sad tale, hopefully nobody gets seriously hurt.

 

Right next to a drilled hole, too. I don't think I'd use it, I think it'd be a wall hanger for me, or at very best, a mock up roller part.

 

I would probably split the king pin boss on one side, with a chop saw, so it could only be used for art. Far too many horror stories about shattered axles, and injuries.

 

That casting looks very grainy and porous I would not use it on a vehicle.
I am no metal expert, however from past observations it looks poorly
constructed. It reminds me of Harbor Freight castings, of which I have seen several brake when placed under stress.

 

Not to beat a dead horse, but I'd cut it in half just to know I wouldn't be responsible for someone's death.

 

Wonder if anyone is actually driving around on one of those Hoffman axles; just the thought makes me cringe.