how to line up ?

[scons]

Hi,

I want to weld this piece of pto axle to a smaller rod (0.63 inch). Is there a technique to line out the axles of the pieces so they are lined up ?

I have no lathe.





Suggestions are welcome

 

[Shield Arc]

I would find the center of the PTO shaft. Center punch it. Use a set of dividers to draw a circle 0.63" in diameter. Shim the 0.63" rod to the proper height, and use a straight edge to check for alignment. This is the easy part, without a weld positioner it is going to be real hard to keep the weld the same size all the way around the shaft. Most likely it will pull out of alignment!

 

[yomax4]

I did this once. 1st I wrecked one set by lining it up and trying to tack it. It kept moving around with each tack and was out of plumb when fully welded. So much so that 540 rpm's it was too wild. I got another set and took them to a machine shop and they counter sunk the shaft into the spline 5/8". I welded it again and it turned out good enough. Still did 6 tack welds at opposite sides prior to burning it in.

 

[bigdeano]

Clamp the pieces in a piece of angle iron. Figure the thickness of shims you need to bring the small piece up to the center of the large piece. Keep it clamped tight while you weld it, then turn it and clamp again before making the next weld. You will probably want to weld a flat piece to the angle iron so you have a flat place for the C clamp.

 

[jaotguy]

put spline it in a lathe ... drill a hole in the center to match the rod ... slide rod in and weld

or spline in drill press base , find the center ... drill to match the rod ... ....

in all cases .. find the center of the spline , match to the center of the rod , then weld

 

[scons]

Thanks for your answers guys, it seems this will give me a challenge. I will try to clamp it as good as possible, but if the result is not good, I think I will buy a longer piece of pto shaft and bring it to a workshop with a lathe.

I am trying to make some sort of actuator, driven by the pto of the tractor, so this axle will be on a fixed mount in 2 pillow blocks. It doens't have to be 101% perfect but to reduce vibrations, and long term life it needs to be so in-line as possible.

 

[Xfaxman]

You could use one of these with a bushing: https://www.surpluscenter.com/Power...-X-1-3-8-6T-SPLINE-F-M-PTO-ADAPTER-1-2241.axd

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I am trying to make some sort of actuator, driven by the pto of the tractor, so this axle will be on a fixed mount in 2 pillow blocks. It doens't have to be 101% perfect but to reduce vibrations, and long term life it needs to be so in-line as possible.

If it is driven by the PTO, seems like you would need this to go on the PTO shaft: 1-3/8 6T TO 1 BORE SNAP HITCH ADAPTER

 

[scons]

Great ! Hadn't thought on these yet, another option, thanks.

 

[bumperm]

For centering without a lathe, mark center with machinist square, center punch, either drill both pieces for a tight fitting small pin to help keep the first weld tack from pulling off center, (or counter bore the spline with borrowed lathe as already suggested). After tacking lightly in 3 or 4 spots, tap with wood block and hammer to get it true. A couple of V-blocks clamped up and dial indicator can help if you don't have a lathe. After welding, recheck for true. If it's not, you can heat it to red and wail away with a hammer (gently) to true it up.

 

[lamanated]

I made some pin punches up by drilling a hole in the centers of the 2 pieces, and then used the drill bit itself as the pin to hold the 2 pieces together,,

 

[dstig1]

I did this once. 1st I wrecked one set by lining it up and trying to tack it. It kept moving around with each tack and was out of plumb when fully welded. So much so that 540 rpm's it was too wild. I got another set and took them to a machine shop and they counter sunk the shaft into the spline 5/8". I welded it again and it turned out good enough. Still did 6 tack welds at opposite sides prior to burning it in.

BINGO!

 

[Sodo]

I did a similar job. Maybe you can do something like this. Pics are from thread Welding a 1 1/4" solid steel shaft (a repair story)

Mark the shafts center as best you can and grind the shaft ends to a point, then align the points. Align it as best you can (with shims in angle-iron cradle as BigDeano mentioned above) then tack on little bendable wire loops. I used 1/8" 7018 rod but 60xx would be a little softer and probably better.

It's bendable on the 3 loops and you can whack it with a hammer too, until you get the shaft trued up to your satisfaction, tested by rolling it on a couple rails.

When you get it bent/whackd into alignment, then weld the root weld at center.

Grind off the loops, grind down a little to be sure there's no tack weld remaining. Weld around & around until it's built up to your satisfaction.

 

[CDennyRun]

The only way I've found this possible to do it properly, is to chuck it up into a lathe, or mill, and bore the larger piece to spec. It's possible to get it very close the redneck way, but it'll never be perfect, and will cause vibration. But heck, it might work for many of years, and do what you need it to. A good machine shop shouldn't charge much more than $30 to turn it for you. At least in my area.

 

[scons]

Hi all,

Ok it has been a while but someone I know (who has a lathe) was so kind to jump in and help out.

He even replaced my S235JR bar with some C45 shaft bar without any charges !

I think he did a perfect job, I am very satisfied with the result !

 

[Xfaxman]

Good deal! :thumbsup:

Now we need pictures of what it is used for.

 

[scons]

Some more patience please, time is not on my side unfortunately.