Any machinists that are accepting work

ggb3

Member
Hello,
I am looking for a machinist that can weld up some wear areas on a brake cross-shaft for a European Ford 4000. The shaft would need to be built up and turned to a final diameter with a tight tolerance. I can send a new bushing with the shaft. We have local machinists, but I get snake bit and this is not the project to try one out. I am not in a big hurry, but would like to turn-around the job in a month or so. There are just a few wear spots and not particularly deep, I can mic it if needed. The shaft has a welded lever on it near one end.

This shaft has 5 bushings and two hydraulic oil seals. Let me know anyone that is interested and if any members here have had work done and they were happy with it all, please let me know.

Thanks all,
George
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could you not even get a new shaft built? as well as welding the piece on? good machine shop should do either.
 
I have things like that done by Andrews Engineering and Machine in Perrinton Michigan. Darned good work and not high priced either. I've had him build up rollers for the baler after bearings have gone out and galled the shaft.
AEM
 
Yes, that is an option. I was going to go to a shop here, and keep getting the willies. I think it is a sign from above not to do it.....
(use the local shop that is).
 
"tight" is subjective, in my world tight tolorances on that part would be +.000, -.0005 on the bearing and seal surfaces and carrry .oo2 or so concentric for the length of the part. Anyone who tells you they can arc weld that shaft where needed and PROPERLY machine it has never tried it, why? because when they are done welding it will be warped and appear more like a crankshaft than a straight one when indicated between centers. There is no way you can match turn such a mess. If it were brought to my shop I would remove the lever and weld it to a new shaft. Then straighten it and preform the turning work.
 
Keep in mind that bushing I.D's will close up when they are pressed into a housing.
 
That makes sense to me. I am not a machinist and do not know what I don't know.... So this is all good info and really some of my fears. I could bet money if I were to take it some machine shop locally, they would say, sure, we can do it. They would jack it all up, I would go to install, it would not fit and I would have paid them good money to do so.

I am not opposed to a new shaft, I just want a good part, matching original tolerances and serviceability. Some one that could get me there is who I am looking for.

Thanks all for the replies and keep them coming, please.
Respectfully,
George
 
Just fixed a shaft from a planter I am resurrecting that looked like yours. What I did was order a piece of tubing that matched the shaft OD (in my case it was 3/4") from Online Metals. The tubing had a 1/2" id, Turned the shaft down in the worn area to a press fit inside the tubing. Pressed the tubing on and polished the OD of the tubing. Good as new with no welding. I do have a lathe and was lucky the 3/4 shaft would fit through the spindle bore.

Looking for an excuse to but a new toy. go to Harbor Freight and see if your shaft will go through the head stock on the mini lathe they sell. If it will you can fix it yourself and in the process acquire a new tool and skill.
 
When I worked at Ford, we would plasma spray shafts to build them up, and then grind them to the correct size. No excessive heat or warping like welding. Really hard and tough so it doesn't wear.
 
I think you will spend less money making new shaft, cut lever off, bore and weld to new shaft.
 
Just an added suggestion. Whatever method you choose to use to repair or replace that shaft, I would first get a hardness test done. If the replacement or repair is too hard, it will be more brittle and prone to breakage. If it is not hard enough, it will probably wear out too quickly.
Just another thing to think about. Most repair methods can alter hardness and temper. Part of the repair should be re-tempering or re-hardening to match the original.
 
I know what you mean. I once tried to get some wheel spacers machined, I already had the blanks. They wouldn't even stick anything in the chuck for less than $500. I tried three separate shops. I finally got the company I work for to turn some real shallow pilot cuts and then I did my own wheel stud holes on my drill press. It was real simple work, but these local boys are spoiled by the big corporate farms that only want to out source all there work. I've finally bought a very old used 12" x 40" lathe to be able to do my own work. Just can't afford these local shops. bjr
 
Like Mr. Reeves mentioned, I would love to buy a good old lathe and a Bridgeport mill. I do not have the space or real knowledge to know what I am buying at this point, I did use them a little in high school shop class, 35 years or so ago..... With CNC and 3D printers, I bet in several more years, I suspect they may be real cheap and I hope I am at a time where I can get some with a lot of life left in them. I have always drooled over old lathes and Bridgeport Mills...... Maybe one day.

I love old equipment that has style and is reasonably functional. I am wanting an old drill press and looking, most stuff is up north a good ways. Love the history and having equipment that folks took care of and made who knows what with.

Good day sir,
George
 

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