Getting ready to have my 1937 Willys beam axle drilled by an axle shop. Don't really like the sharp edges to the holes that I see on most vintage drilled axles. Do any of you have any experience with putting a short chamfer on the hole edge, like maybe a 1/16 or slightly more? Was wondering what were tools used, how it was done, how much chamfer, and how did it turn out? I have read it is necessary to heat treat the axle within 24 hours after chrome, to prevent hydrogen embrittlement. Problem is, the platers don't seem to know anything about this, and don't have a heat treat oven. Aside from that, it has been difficult to find any information about what the temperature needs to be, and how long the axle needs to be at temperature. The only heat recommendation I saw applied to hard chrome on aircraft quality parts and appears too stringent for automotive application. Does anyone have some plain advice for time and temperature? If I can find a spec, my next challenge will be to find a shop to heat the axle. Any help appreciated.
I'd have the chrome shop prep the axle before any holes are drilled, lot easier to work that I beam section in stock form than around all the holes. I'm looking for a stock early 77 Willys axle. Bob
Yes, good advice. I had been told earlier that if the hokes are drilled first, they get distorted around the edges when grinding and polishing out the rust and pits.
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