Driveshaft material

[john hall]

For those building your own driveshafts, what do you use for material? I used 4140 for my 982 but I can't remember if I got regular or pre-hard. The pre-hard matl from McMaster has a larger tolerance. I'd prefer ground matl but that ain't cheap. Looking to get a 6' pc, should be able to get 4 shafts out of it.

[Terry C]

Originally Posted by john hall

For those building your own driveshafts, what do you use for material? I used 4140 for my 982 but I can't remember if I got regular or pre-hard. The pre-hard matl from McMaster has a larger tolerance. I'd prefer ground matl but that ain't cheap. Looking to get a 6' pc, should be able to get 4 shafts out of it.

I used a pieces of O1 tool steel before. Just cause I had them. MSC sells them as drill blanks. I didn’t heat treat it. 36 in long pieces are like $20. Haven’t broke one yet. But you can never go wrong with 4140.

[Oak]

When Jeff made the shaft for my 982 he used this.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#6628K344

[johncub7172]

I got a length from McMaster of chrome-moly 4140 5/8ths in diameter part # 8927K98 . $ 14.85 for the 3' length, and $25.61 for the 6' length.

[john hall]

Thanks guys. I ordered 6' of the 5/8 4140 matl that is .003 undersize tolerance.
Our resident metals expert wasn't at work today, so I didn't get to ask his opinion on the 1144 matl. We use tons of 4140, but I can't ever recall using 1144. I doubt either one will make a difference in this application.

Correction to my original post--I believe 6' of matl will only yield 3 shafts--thats 2 more than I need at the present time.

[darkminion_17]

They come in handy, when you want to give someone, "the shaft", that is.
Let see some pics when you get the done.

[Terry C]

Originally Posted by john hall

Thanks guys. I ordered 6' of the 5/8 4140 matl that is .003 undersize tolerance.
Our resident metals expert wasn't at work today, so I didn't get to ask his opinion on the 1144 matl. We use tons of 4140, but I can't ever recall using 1144. I doubt either one will make a difference in this application.

Correction to my original post--I believe 6' of matl will only yield 3 shafts--thats 2 more than I need at the present time.

1144 is called stressproof. Not good for welding. Don’t know it’s strength offhand. It machines like a dream though!!

[dodge trucker]

I bought one made of "stress proof" material before for a 1200. when I installed it and initially started it, that shaft bent like a wet noodle. I am wondering if it was what the seller had claimed it was.
I don't remember who I got that one from it was several years ago. I wound up buying another, made out of a different material from same seller, that job was for someone else and I wound up eating the cost of one of them....
At the time, it was someone that claimed to make parts for pulling tractors, that much I do remember. and that they highly recommended the stress proof material, for a totally stock, worker-bee tractor.

[olds45512]

Originally Posted by dodge trucker

I bought one made of "stress proof" material before for a 1200. when I installed it and initially started it, that shaft bent like a wet noodle. I am wondering if it was what the seller had claimed it was.
I don't remember who I got that one from it was several years ago. I wound up buying another, made out of a different material from same seller, that job was for someone else and I wound up eating the cost of one of them....
At the time, it was someone that claimed to make parts for pulling tractors, that much I do remember. and that they highly recommended the stress proof material, for a totally stock, worker-bee tractor.

How did the shaft bend just starting the tractor?

[john hall]

Originally Posted by Terry C

1144 is called stressproof. Not good for welding. Don’t know it’s strength offhand. It machines like a dream though!!

If I remember correct, it is rated stronger than 4140. Most of what we run at work is pre-hard 4140, seems to fit most customers needs. I'll get my buddy to explain more about the 1144. He's been playing with tool steels for the last 50 years. I highly doubt there is any noticeable difference for most green tool steels in a stock Cadet. I wonder if it even matters to pullers? Is there such a thing as driveshaft failure assuming a stronger steel was used? Not talking about 30 year old worn ends or wallered out holes from where the pins go.