Shortening a trailer axle - Fail?

I make a trailer axle shorter but it does not go as planned.

[@Dan-oz4qb]

I don't think that minor difference will ever be noticable. Again, a minor difference but I'd put the lower side on the right side of the trailer as the pitch of many roads puts that side down which will compensate some for the axle difference. I know yours is long ago done but others are doing this today and that's why they're here. Good job overall.😊

[@theeddies]

Thanks! I actually did a follow up where I used heat to "bend" it a bit more to what it should be. Sold the trailer last year, but used it for several short trips to the lake and it ran great. I was probably over doing it for what it was but was testing myself as well.

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Eddie, Good of you to show the success and failures... I would be good to know if it becomes a real failure after a few months in use and seeing how the tires wear. Cheers. Paul,,

[@theeddies]

At least it will not break :-)

[@psgflier]

I don't feel quite so bad about showing my welds :). If you still have this you might try running a couple of weld beads on the long side, Start small and work up.

[@theeddies]

Lol, I think it might be about time for a new machine, mine is probably about as good as your old Century you mentioned. It will do a few nice welds and then go sideways. I might also need a new operator, :-) I still need to put the plates on, so it is going to get some more welds of the long side. We will see.

[@jsulaicawesttexasbeekeepin9860]

Turn the heat up on that mig and burn in those welds in. Good little project. I hope it turn out good for you.

[@theeddies]

Thanks! Worked out great for a backyard project. Trailer ran true.

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

Wack it on & see how it goes . Unless you are experienced with heat straightening , it can end up worse . Hey , your stickers arrived as i will put them in an upcoming video . Cheers .

[@theeddies]

Thanks Max! I have done some heat straightening of small machine shafts in the past and a moto axle with good success, but I agree. Those were one piece solid shafts though. There is a lot of meat here to warp and a lot of heat involved. I will leave that to last resort. Will probably give the wacker a try. How did the weld prep look? I look forward to seeing the stickers. All the best! Eddie

[@swanvalleymachineshop]

@@theeddies Weld prep looked good . Bummer you could not belt that square into the tubing . What you have should be ok . Cheers .

[@theeddies]

@@swanvalleymachineshop yeah I agree. I could have gotten the right size piece in but it would have been a crap load of time trying to clean out that tube. Or use an undersize square which I did not want to do. I tried driving it in to the cut off piece and could only get it in an inch with a 3 lb hammer. And of course I would have had the spindles to deal with trying to pound 2 halves together. It is plenty strong enough for the application. Trailer and boat are aluminum. Thanks for your advice. Think I will give it whack tomorrow and if that does not move it might try a spot of heat and quench but not going to go crazy with it. Best!

[@AaronEngineering]

Hey Eddie. Nice work around. My opinion (if you don’t mind me saying), I probably wouldn’t have cut it in the middle like that. I would’ve been inclined to cut the stub axle join, and re-welded it there. But hey, who gives fat rats freckle what I think 😆

[@theeddies]

Hello Aaron. I do not have enough confidence in my welder to weld that thick piece and I "thought" it would be easier to jig it straight doing it in the middle. Plus the middle just carries a bit of tension/torsion where the end carries weight, torsion, and gets the brunt of the road roughness. That was my "thinking" anyway.

[@theeddies]

Oh and I don't mind you saying anything buddy.😁

[@johnstrange6799]

Reminds of the time you worked on that tower over in Italy.

[@theeddies]

That was not me, that was Eduardo.

[@johnstrange6799]

@@theeddies How did you get the free 7.5 HP Canton Express engine?

[@theeddies]

You did not get my original reply? Surprise surprise. I was contacted by the company to see if I wanted to review a product. I get one or two a month and I usually ignore them because they are irrelevant stuff. This one though was a powered rebar bender, so I was intrigued because it actually something I would never buy but could think of uses for. Then she says she also has some other stuff as well that they want some videos for. And shows me an engine picture. Well how could I turn down a free engine? It will just be an unboxing and running video. They just want a little exposure. All good, so I got it in a few days. Actually it is funny because my dad just bought a mud skipper setup for a jon boat. The engine on it is exactly the same except his has electric start. Guess I am a shill.

[@johnstrange6799]

@@theeddies Be the best shill.

[@theeddies]

@@johnstrange6799 will do Melania

[@magnuscarlander2464]

Heat the "long" side upp and collit "quick" with a wet rag and it will straighten out

[@theeddies]

Thanks Magnus! I am going to try the sledge first, if that does not do it heat is likely next. It being a tube of suspect quality worries me a bit with the torch.

[@magnuscarlander2464]

@@theeddies You should not heat it to be able to bend it, just make it glow then it will shrink when you colit quick with a rag and strighten out. Its a common practise in shops thar build with square tubes

[@theeddies]

Would you heat the plate or just off it?

[@magnuscarlander2464]

@@theeddies I would try the plate first?

[@condielangham4622]

Great job man, thanks

[@theeddies]

Thanks!

[@countrylife9256]

What would you do without Alexa.

[@theeddies]

I have no idea, lol. I used to use the calculator on my phone. I picked up used one on ebay and put it out there for the music but actually found it quite handy and I can actually keep the number in my head if I hear it.

[@GarageWorx]

A little camber is good.

[@glenmesser1703]

throw it away and find someone qua;ified to do repair correctly, please before you kill someone

[@theeddies]

You have no idea what you are talking about. But feel free to find the door out.

[@willieforonda7129]

Use some angel iron brother