Hole in axle

[ligito]

I am using some old riding lawnmower axle shafts in my new welding cart.
I inserted them in the ends of .065 wall, 1 inch square tubing.
I drilled and tapped a hole to 1/4 x 20 thread, for a set screw.
I need to make a depression, or hole for the set screw to fit into.

My drill dosen't seem to make a dent in it, will my end mill do it?
What other methods are available?

[welderdude402]

Why not just weld them on?

[aametalmaster]

Drill a 3/8" hole in the tubing and plug weld them...Bob

[ligito]

I'm allowing for a future wheel width change and will need to adjust the length, that's why I don't want to weld it.

[MMW]

Mark the axle & then use your grinder to make a flat spot on it for the set screw.

[nocheepgas]

Your end mill should be able to handle it.

[ligito]

Thanks .

[wrenchnride247]

I am using some old riding lawnmower axle shafts in my new welding cart.
I inserted them in the ends of .065 wall, 1 inch square tubing.
I drilled and tapped a hole to 1/4 x 20 thread, for a set screw.
I need to make a depression, or hole for the set screw to fit into.

My drill dosen't seem to make a dent in it, will my end mill do it?
What other methods are available?

Sounds like hardened material to me (drill rod, oil hardened, thompson shaft) You can either grind it, or use a SOLID carbide bit on a slow speed to drill it.

[Bodybagger]

Those axle shafts are case hardened up to the splines.

Drilling it would be just like drilling through the shackle of a padlock.

Use a Dremel and grind the dimple or use a carbide bit. A HS end mill will bite, walk, then shatter. You could use a carbide tile drilling bit in a drill press.

About 3/16" deep, it's much softer.

But I think you will have trouble holding it with a setscrew.

[ligito]

I read the last post after my HS end mill bit, walked, then shattered, on both ends.

I don't have any carbide end mills yet.
I ground a flat but would feel safer with a dimple, or hole, so I guess I better get a carbide 5/16 end mill.