FILENAMES: Hatz_gear00.jpg Hatz_gear01.jpg Hatz_gear02.jpg Hatz_gear03.jpg Hatz_gear_bushing01.jpg Hatz_gear_bushing02.jpg Hatz_gear_bushing03.jpg Hatz_gear_bushing04.jpg DESCRIPTION: These are pictures an axle repair job. Posted by Ebby . The following description was provided: ================================================================= Hatz_gear0 - 4 This is my first attempt at making anything on a lathe. I asked the metalworking group for some advice on cutting threads and got good results from the group. I practiced for hours until I was ready to put the real axle material into the lathe. I have included four shots of the axle being threaded. There were three lathes available for me to use but this is the only one that had a functioning gearbox. Even this lathe had some serious problems. I did enough practice to compensate for this lathes age and got plenty of advice from observers. I learned an awful lot and someday hope to use a lathe in better condition. The digitals I took don't really do the job justice. The nut fits on the axle with just a bit more force than hand tightening. There is no play and the nut threads are seated securely into the axle threads. Hatz_gear_bushing 0 -4 The other photos show bushings I needed to make. These were a lot simpler. I started with 1.125"O.D. x .125"wall tubing and had to turn down the last 3/8" inch to 1". These will have a 2 inch washer fillet welded to provide a bearing surface for the landing gear springs. This is a pretty common suspension set up for homebuilt aircraft. Lessons I learned: Use the best equipment available. Take your time, don't rush. Once set up do not remove the piece until done. Never, never, never back up the compound once the cutting process starts.