ri702bill 10,791 #1 Posted Sunday at 06:37 PM All: Having "moved" both spindle bores when I machined it for bushings, I realized I now needed slightly shorter length Tierods. I have used regular 1080 Cold Rolled material for another set, but the quality of the machined threads was lacking. This set I switched to 12L14 "leaded" hexstock - per the certificate it has .27% lead in the alloy. This allows easier machining with a superior finish. Cost is just a couple of bucks more than 1080. The threads shown are done with an adjustable thread cutting die - 3 passes needed to get the proper shaft to nut fit. Shown is the die from the final pass - the chips look like angel hair Also shown is the old trick of having a starting pilot diameter for the die - it is removed once the threading is done. The 12L14 material is safe to work with, but sanding, grinding and welding are NOT recommended... 15 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sqrlgtr 1,552 #2 Posted Sunday at 07:06 PM 28 minutes ago, ri702bill said: All: Having "moved" both spindle bores when I machined it for bushings, I realized I now needed slightly shorter length Tierods. I have used regular 1080 Cold Rolled material for another set, but the quality of the machined threads was lacking. This set I switched to 12L14 "leaded" hexstock - per the certificate it has .27% lead in the alloy. This allows easier machining with a superior finish. Cost is just a couple of bucks more than 1080. The threads shown are done with an adjustable thread cutting die - 3 passes needed to get the proper shaft to nut fit. Shown is the die from the final pass - the chips look like angel hair Also shown is the old trick of having a starting pilot diameter for the die - it is removed once the threading is done. The 12L14 material is safe to work with, but sanding, grinding and welding are NOT recommended... Looks great bill 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 76,107 #3 Posted Sunday at 07:19 PM 12 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said: Looks great bill 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 10,791 #4 Posted Sunday at 07:28 PM 7 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Eric - a rather simple project with the lathe - you should get one.... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 76,107 #5 Posted Sunday at 07:44 PM 13 minutes ago, ri702bill said: Eric - a rather simple project with the lathe - you should get one.... Agreed. At least with my recent drill press purchase I'll be able to do female threaded tie rods. Then use male heim joints. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 10,791 #6 Posted Sunday at 07:50 PM 5 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Agreed. At least with my recent drill press purchase I'll be able to do female threaded tie rods. Then use male heim joints. Do consider using hexstock - much easier to fixture in the vise than round stock. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 76,107 #7 Posted Sunday at 08:00 PM 9 minutes ago, ri702bill said: Do consider using hexstock - much easier to fixture in the vise than round stock. Agreed. Done both. Hex is a huge difference. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 30,306 #8 Posted yesterday at 12:56 AM (edited) 6 hours ago, ri702bill said: Excellent work !! Have you ever considered turning down the stock tie rods in order to fit the thread on ends? I've had pretty good luck doing this. Edited yesterday at 12:57 AM by Achto 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 10,791 #9 Posted yesterday at 01:01 AM The old OE tierods do get used elsewhere. I find the severely pitted finish gives poor grip and concentricity in either a chuck or collet. I'd rather use new material. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 10,791 #10 Posted 21 hours ago (edited) 23 hours ago, ri702bill said: The old OE tierods do get used elsewhere Used one to make the backside support stops on the front mounted mule drive hitch. Behind the pair of lower hexhead screws. Edited 21 hours ago by ri702bill 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoubaixRider 157 #11 Posted 19 hours ago (edited) Nice machining work! Edited 18 hours ago by RoubaixRider 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites