1872 Front wheel bearing grease zerk modification

[Steve N Mi]

Originally Posted by taylorjm

True. I didn't think about using a lathe. I'm more into woodworking so I was thinking about a drill press and how many bits you would go through.

Bolt strength and hardness are two different properties. I've drilled grade 8 Bowman bolts in a drill press. I make clevis pins using them and need to drill for cotter or hair pins. It helps to bump the surface with an angle grinder to break the surface but then HSS bits will cut/drill them. Like stainless once it starts cutting (cutting fluid can help) don't let up until you have the hole complete. With SS you get work hardening if you let up and resuming is almost impossible with the grade 8's when it stops making chips STOP, resharpen or try a new bit but you generally can restart the hole. If not, EDM is your friend.

[Sam Mac]

I did those in the drill press. No big deal.

[Steve N Mi]

I was pleased to finally return Super #2 to rolling status. It sat nearly all Summer and until now without front tires & wheels - lots of delays along the way. Now to get it running again.

A couple of photos of a task completed.

[Oak]

I'm like Taylorjm and run sealed bearings.

[taylorjm]

Originally Posted by Steve N Mi

Bolt strength and hardness are two different properties. I've drilled grade 8 Bowman bolts in a drill press. I make clevis pins using them and need to drill for cotter or hair pins. It helps to bump the surface with an angle grinder to break the surface but then HSS bits will cut/drill them. Like stainless once it starts cutting (cutting fluid can help) don't let up until you have the hole complete. With SS you get work hardening if you let up and resuming is almost impossible with the grade 8's when it stops making chips STOP, resharpen or try a new bit but you generally can restart the hole. If not, EDM is your friend.

You are right about hardness being different. I've seen people who automatically put grade 8 bolts in all their projects. I've told them that grade 8 bolts will actually break where a grade 5 will give some flex, so it depends on the application. It would be like building a house using screws. Screws would break when the wind blows where nails will allow the house to flex.

[riesedesperado6170]

i made one up with just a grade 2 that i just put in when i grease. then put original bolt back in to run