Drilling Heavy '32 Axle

I had searched here and found a lot of good ideas and ways to drill an I-beam axle but I didn't see a step by step with pics. This is my first tech post so here goes. All the ideas and tricks I used were stolen from fellow HAMBers and one of my local shops. I've heard many people say, "it's easy, not rocket science" which I didn't believe at first.

Started with a new Ch***is Engineering heavy 32 axle. I like the biggest holes you can fit in an axle. The inside of the i-beam on this axle is 1 3/4". I decided to use an 1 1/4" bit. Measured the center. I wanted about 1" between holes, that makes the holes 2 1/4 apart on center. I used a contour gauge to make a pattern for the center of the axle (pic 1). I transferred this to cardboard (pic 2). With the center marked on the cardboard I was able to quickly mark the vertical bit of each hole. I measured and measured and had my friend re-measure and check everything before we started (pic 3). I also cut a 1 1/4 circle out of cardboard and traced it on the axle to see how things would look (pic 4).

With 1 1/4 hole saws and cutting oil in hand, my friend Kevin and I use his new drill press to first drill pilot holes with a 1/8" bit. Started by center-punching each hole (pic 5).

Then the hole saw. The drill press was set on its lowest setting, 200rpm. Using very little pressure and letting the bit do the work produced a pretty good hole. I was worried about blowing through on the other side but it looked good also.

All the hole took about 3 hours to do. I've never done this but I think it turned out pretty good. I then cleaned up the holes with a drum sander on a die grinder using varying grits (pic 9). After it was almost cleaned up I switched to a flap wheel. For a first timer, not to bad I do say so myself.

Thanks to kapuron for the drill press and the beer. Thanks to A1 Street Rods in Colorado Springs for tips and encouragement

 

Wow, patience wins out! Good job.

 

Did these with old Drill press drilled lil pilot holes first ,then used the whole saw ,,and yeah slow and steady,,used a sharpie and tape measure bout 45 or so. Yours looks good nice work

 

I done my ch***is engineering axle with 1 inch drill bit at 3 inch centers. Use plenty of cutting oil and slow or you won't drill very many holes.

 

Nice Job on the Lighting Holes!
So how many hole-saw's did you eat in 3 hours?

 

Chamfering the holes is nice.

 

I did mine with a broach bit in a holder to put it in a drill press. those things cut so nice.

Makes me want to buy one of those slugger magnetic base broach drills. they are damn dear though. saves money on holesaws i guess!

 

I didn't have to change hole saws but did just to be sure it would cut nice. Just used 2. 3 hours=4 beers, taking pictures, shootin the ****. Probably went slower than I had to but never done it before

 

its fun to do ,and really kinda easy ..I was intimidated at first the I went on a hole drilling frenzy

 

looks cool should look nice in your ride thanks for thanking the time to take pics and post them

 

Here's mine. Stock A axle. 1 inch holes on 2 inch spacing. I did it on a Bridgeport style mill at school. 1 inch = 200 RPMs

Justin

 

kinda makes me wanna do some drillin!... maybe I missed it but how much drop did that axel have?

 

Jimmy, It's a 4 inch drop. The only one Ch***is Engineering sells

 

Now the trick is, how do you get the lightning to go through them?

Bob

 

Thats an entirely different thread by it's self.

 

I did this Model A axle for a new project a few weeks ago, I just can't build up the nerve to drill my heavy 32.

 

Ka Chow!!

 

haha....I'm still chicken to drop any of my Heavys....***le of the thread should be "Drilling an easily replaceable CE axle"

 

Some one is dragging their feet if it took 3 hours to drill an axle. I did my 40 axle in about 30 min. My hole saw is still working fine after drilling it, I just made a quick drill jig ,did the lay out, and punched a bunch of holes. If I could get the $100.00 that Socal gets for this operation I'd do it all day long.

..........Jack

 

that's a clean looking axle, kinda funny you posted this I have drilling to do this weekend too, wishbones and axle, good job.

 

Dragging their feet? We get it........you are soooooo much faster at drilling an axle. I thought this is the site where you share your hot rod experience with other guys that share the same type of experiences. Usually a post like this warrants constructive criticism. I don't think the post was ***led, "Drilling a heavy '32 axle fast". The time it took to drill the axle is irrelevant. If certain individuals want to take an opportunity to show how much cooler they are then start your own post. Don't use another guys post to dog him. I would encourage more guys to take your time, have a couple of beers, and just enjoy.

 

did you see any problems ?? can't you see everyone took everything with a laugh ,,why start stirring the ****e and ruin a good thread,...gezzzzzzzzz...,and please not to many beers as you are operating equipment

 

I just need to drill two holes in my I-beam for shock mounts; any chance of doing it on the car without removing the axle?

RH

 

Sure. A drill press just makes it so much easier, but people drill holes in axles, frames, etc all the time on the car. Just use a good drill motor and bit, wear some eye protection, and have at it. In the next few days I have to holesaw 4 holes 2.25 inches in diameter into my new frame for some crossmembers, wish I could have done it on the drill press, but the frame is already together. Slow drill speed and lots of cutting oil will get it done though.

Sometimes the best bet is to drill a small pilot hole first then work up to the final size you need.

Don

 

They probably use a indexable drill with carbide inserts to drill those.... With plenty of coolant!!