MTFCA Forum

I need to have a Model t axle ground the entire length to use in a Perfecto 2 speed axle. Ford axles are ground only in the the places where the roller bearings ride. Perfecto requires one axle be ground the entire length to 1.062" Where can I get this done?

Can you not utilize a new axle - they're smooth the entire length, I'm pretty sure ? Now I have to run out to the shop to check my new ones !

Hey Richard, Chrome Craft out in South Sac should be able to handle this...

RajoRacer wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 23, 2021 4:23 pm

Can you not utilize a new axle - they're smooth the entire length, I'm pretty sure ? Now I have to run out to the shop to check my new ones !

The drive lines are made from 1.000” ground rod, pretty sure the axles are lathe turned except for the ends

I spoke with Chaffins and the new axles made by Snyders are a few thou smaller between the ends. Since they need to be ground as well, the y would be too thin for my application.

I was fortunate to obtain two older repro axles that are not machined at all in the middle and can be turned and ground to spec.
Thanks for the input. I'll check into Chrome Craft

Chrome Craft quoted me a price of $847 to grind two axles. Phooey!!

I found a crank grinder who I used in the past to do the axle work. For what Chrome Craft was asking, I would have turned them a bit oversize on my lathe and filed and sanded with successive finer grit to size.

1.062" +/- what? I should think decent lathe work would be fine. Yes, grinding the whole length will be $$$$$ You should be able to hit +/-.001 or 2 on a lathe.

Richard - why the tight tolerance ?

I would agree with Ned if you have the table size to do it plus a steady rest.

RajoRacer wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 30, 2021 3:29 pm

Richard - why the tight tolerance ?

My question too.

Google O.D. grinder, or possibly centerless grinder
What state are you in?

Responding to the why question. Perfecto axle has an inner roller bearing just outside of the shifting fork. The axle needs to be ground in that area to 1.062-3.
Also the sliding clutch rides on the axle with a close tolerance, about 5 thou. The axle must be small enuf the entire length to permit installation of the sliding clutch. Actually only the area from the inner bearing surface to the axle gear needs to be ground as that's the area the bearing rides and clutch travels. . The outer length between the two bearing surfaces only needs to turned small enuf to allow installation of the clutch.

Perfectos were originally sold with one axle ground the entire length. I have an original. It's stamped with the name Hall Scott in the keyway.

Richard ,
why not press the gear off , install the parts & press the gear back on ?
Then you wouldn't need to machine the whole axle .

Certainly could do that, Pete. Its not much trouble to turn it down between the bearing surfaces on a lathe, though. Tolerances there are not critical since the axle needs to be small enuf only to allow the clutch to be installed.

Axle keyway.

Thanks for the explanation Richard ! I now understand why the kit contained it's own axle shaft.