Technical ~~~ peaking & polishing a 32 axle ~~~

I just started a "harv job" on my 32 spindles today. They had been hack welded on to adapt to juice backing plates. Someone didn't even alter the four bolt holes just weld the plates to the spindles.
Did you ever have a go at the Hemi block?

 

That would be amazing. Polished engine block please ! Yes, yes ! I can't imagine the time punch on that item. One of the best threads content here by far. Thank you bump Gods !!

 

No but I have some parts from the same HAMBer waiting for some spare time...if I can find it.

 

You do some great work. Can someone point me in the direction to find these wishbones I've been hearing about?

 

This thread is 100% @gwhite approved. (Add a couple bucks to that and you could buy yourself a cup o' coffee, hahaha) Sickos love company!

Can't wait to see more and can't help but wonder what your fee for room & board would be...considering flying you down to Tejas and turning you loose @117harv

 

What are you going to use to keep the shine?

 

He did mention chrome..

 

Another project for a member, some juice backing plates that will get some mods and a clean up.

I picked up a standard issue early front end trash trailer, I have rescued many of these over the years, some made from banjo rears too. I pulled the drums off and as usual the shoes were gone, but the rest of the hardware was there. I have a plan, well part of one and that required the removal of the adjusters and springs. I clamped the plate to the bench and drilled into the peened end of the bolt, it is concave so it self centers the bit. I drilled just far enough not to mess up the rectangle slot, I then used a small center punch and knocked the bolts out. Before I took them to the blaster I cleaned them some with gas and a brush, then a quick pass over the greasy areas with the torch. They don't get too hot, I move quickly and it cooks the grease, this keeps my blaster friend happy as the sand is re-used.

Pics next.

 

More when they come back from the blaster.

 

Have you asked, if after all your hard work will they get drilled for lightening holes? Bob

 

I will be removing some weight as well as some other mods. I have a couple of other sets in the works as well, they will all be different.

 

Still working on the plates, but have another project to share.

I was sent some square back spindles to get smoothed up as well as an axle. The axle went to Greg Hanes to get dropped. I got the axle back and the spindles of course needed the arms adjusted to clear after the drop. Some use a rosebud but I like the torch as it has a smaller concentrated flame/heat. I set the spindle and axle on the table and clamped it all down, I heated the small area right off the lower boss and bent the arm with a section of tube for leverage. I kept checking clearance/turn radius as I bent, when I liked what I had I let the arm cool for about a minute or so until the red was gone. I then heated an inch or so further down the arm to bring it back to where is was factory.

I posted a shot of one arm bent and the other stock for comparison, they came out nice and symmetrical. When bending solid steel and tube for that matter, the outside of the radius runs out of steel and leaves a low area, the opposite for the inside, it bulges out, all will be smoothed out when I polish them. On a side note, you can see in the pics that the left spindle arm has more mass to it than the right, just before the tie rod hole on the right one it is much thinner, why? only Henry knows.

Pics next post

 

Just finished up another 32 axle for a member, it has a peak like the first. The small I-beam shape at the wishbone mount came out nice and crisp, stands out nicely. Taking pics of shiny or chrome parts is hard to do, you and the camera, trees, sky etc. reflect in it. I have stepped up my work and have been giving the parts an even further polishing, as always they will need a bit more work before chroming, this one will get just nickel....thanks guys.

Pics next.

 

Wow!

 

Stunning work.

 

I find original Henry axles beautiful enough to stare at by themselves for long periods of time. Harv, I stare at your work longer than some do girly pictures, it's my pleasure. Thanks for gorgeous eye candy.

 

Beautiful work! I have peaked a few axel and I know you are putting your heart and soul into making them turn out that nice, great job

 

I spent enough time and effort polishing SS boat props after repairing damge to them in my prop shop to know there's a helluva lot of blood, sweat and tears in those axles you do. Finally, at about 73/74 it got to be more than I could do and I sold the equipment and inventory.

 

Do you clear coat those after you polish them? If so what do you use?

 

^^^ No they just go back to the owner and they do/have the final finish done beit chrome or paint.

 

Very nice

 

All, I can say is...WOW!! Harv, that undropped heavy is absolutely gorgeous - looks plated already!

 

my fingers ache just reading your posts...
so I can only guess how yours must feel
serious cool work & talent

 

Amazing work. I have a '32 "heavy" axle that shows some wear where the spring shackles wore into the axle as well as three or four tiny pilot holes where I think someone was going to drill lightening holes. The axle is forged so I presume mig weld in some filler material and then dress the welds. T/F?

 

^^^ Yes you could Mig, but Tig is better. Here is one that came out from under a trash trailer that I repaired.

 

Ok then, Tig it will be. I just looked at that polished axle again and thought about what you could do to an engine block. Now that would be cool sitting in a T bucket.