axle strength and flex

[seniorsteele]

when you mount an axle does it matter how much space is between where the axle is held in place and where the hub is? i know to much space is not good. i really dont want to bend one considering they are like 50$ a peice. i want the width to be the same in the front and the back. how much space it too much?

[garleness]

It all depends on the thickness of the axle and size. if the material flexes to much just make your frame wider at the back .

[seniorsteele]

thats what i was figuring. i am going to run a 1". this is my first attempt at any real fabrication but it is all a learning process.

[Mike Bean]

Hey Senior,

I have run a 15" wide frame with a 28" axle and I position the hubs 1" from the ends with no problems. You can even go a little longer if you want.

You need to really look at how much bend you will get from a 1" solid steel axle that is outside the bearing. I am not an engineer, but I bet a 12" piece of 1" axle would be hard to bend.

That's my .02 cents...

Mike Bean

[seniorsteele]

thanks i ended up going with a 44" because it was 40" at the shoulders. because this is a starter cart i dosent matter to me how wide it gets. but 40" is pretty wide.