FILENAMES: BspindA.JPG BspindB.JPG BspindC.JPG BspindD.JPG BspindE.JPG BspindF.JPG DESCRIPTION: These are pictures showing repairs to a spindle on a garden tractor. Posted by Matt Maguire . Matt provided the following description: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Files contained, 7 including this file; Bspind.txt - this text file BspindA.JPG - Picture of damaged mower blade spindle BspindB.JPG - The spindle after removing the weld. BspindC.JPG - The new 4140 annealed spindle after turning. (SEE NOTES) BspindD.JPG - Cutting the #607 woodruff keyseats with a #606 cutter, (SEE NOTES). BspindE.JPG - Welding the blade flange to the new spindle (SEE NOTES). BspindF.JPG - The finished spindle next to the old one. *NOTES* I bought my dad a vintage CASE #195 garden tractor in 1999 for fathers day to replace his Sears tractor. By the fall of 99' we had rebuilt the engine and discovered that there was a lot left to do, so I hauled the tractor back to my shop where I could continue this journey and hopefully get it in shape for fathers day 2000! This replacement of the bent center spindle is the first of many projects yet to come that may prove to test my experience.... I chose 4140 annealed for the spindle because (1) I had it, and (2) once I do something I hate to do it again! I believe the original spindle was made of AISI1045 TG&P from the size (.7495"), appearance of the surface and hardness of the weld when machined. I had several #606 keyseat cutters (3/16" x 3/4") and decided to just use one to cut the keyseat by travelling 3/32". A #607 woodruff is 3/16" x 7/8" and the extra depth of cut plus the travel gets me close. I almost always have to trim the woodruff key at one end of the radius and/or the bottom to get a good fit when I do this, and this time was no exception. I chose to TIG the blade flange to the spindle mostly for cosmetics, 4140 should at LEAST be preheated to 450 F. and a postheat of 1050 F. is wise with any welding technique except O/A. I have an oven so I just normalized the weldment. The next installment will be the replacement of the steering gear welded to the steering column, and the use of a self-fluxing brazing alloy to repair a worn diameter. Respectfully submitted, Matt Maguire