Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

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dobro1956
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Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by dobro1956 » Thu Jan 07, 2021 9:36 pm

About a year ago I found and was able to purchase a Stevens Front Axle re-facer in its original box. In all my years of messing with Ts it is the only one I have ever seen.

I needed to change the front axle of the Speedster project to a "dip" style axle because the standard Ford axle would hit the hand crank. While the "dip" axle I have is in excellent condition, the upper and lower surface of the yolk were not parallel. So I thought it would be a good test for the tool. That thing is a miracle tool. I took a few pictures of it and how it works. When installed in the work position, by pressing down or lifting up on the handle it applies pressure to the cutter by a "double cam" on the handle. Then by turning the handle it shaves very fine shavings from the axle. When you have turned the handle as far as it will go, you lift the handle back to the center loose position, turn the handle back to where you started and then repeat the process. By using "tap magic" on the cutter it shaves a very fine finish ..

I have always been impressed how good the Stevens tool were. This is another great tool to add to the list ...
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Last edited by dobro1956 on Thu Jan 07, 2021 9:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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dobro1956
Posts: 1285
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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by dobro1956 » Thu Jan 07, 2021 9:37 pm

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Scott C.
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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by Scott C. » Fri Jan 08, 2021 1:59 am

That is exactly what I need, it is a lot better than my file!! I was just thinking, while driving home, about making something that would be piloted off the king pin.

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Mark Nunn
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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by Mark Nunn » Fri Jan 08, 2021 8:13 am

Donnie, can you post the outside diameter of the cutter? I could make one of these from an unthreaded spacer, which I can get from McMaster-Carr. Those are only about $20 and some mill time.


Dan Hatch
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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by Dan Hatch » Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:12 am

Here is what I use. Modern replacement for the Stevens
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RajoRacer
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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by RajoRacer » Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:33 am

Nice Donnie - I have the Steven handle but not the "business" pieces - I'd sure like to copy that !

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dobro1956
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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by dobro1956 » Fri Jan 08, 2021 12:30 pm

Ill get some measurements of the tool today. Ill post them here later

This would be a nice tool to re-produce. It sure is a lot better than a file or a grinder.

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RajoRacer
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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by RajoRacer » Fri Jan 08, 2021 12:34 pm

Thanks Donnie !

To Mark Nunn - I would assume the O.D. of the mill end would need to be just fractionally over the diameter of a new spindle body bushing.

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Mark Nunn
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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by Mark Nunn » Fri Jan 08, 2021 1:24 pm

RajoRacer wrote:
Fri Jan 08, 2021 12:34 pm
To Mark Nunn - I would assume the O.D. of the mill end would need to be just fractionally over the diameter of a new spindle body bushing.
I agree, Steve. But at the moment my spindles are in a box somewhere waiting for bushings and reaming. I'm hoping to get a head start on the axle before they return.


Colin Mavins
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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by Colin Mavins » Fri Jan 08, 2021 1:30 pm

I have seen that tool in Dads tool box but we never knew what it was used for, Dad got to box of tools and we found alot of it was for model t.


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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by OilyBill » Fri Jan 08, 2021 2:29 pm

Thanks for posting this! Very informative, especially showing it in operation!

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RajoRacer
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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by RajoRacer » Fri Jan 08, 2021 8:01 pm

Mark - a new spindle body bushing is approx. 1 & 1/16" across the face


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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by Allan » Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:15 pm

I believe the cutter needs to be able to make an un-interrupted face on axle rather than just a bit bigger than the bushing face. Otherwise the spindle body cannot be slid into place.

Have I got it wrong?

AllAn from down under.

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dobro1956
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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by dobro1956 » Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:46 pm

Allen, you are correct that it needs to totally clear the axle surface.

Here is a diagram I made of the tool. If I did not get all the info needed just ask here or send e-mail to the address posted and Ill try and get it for you ..
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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by Don D » Sat Jan 09, 2021 8:01 am

Donnie,

Thanks for sharing this topic. Your photos and drawing nail this down for those with a machine shop. If you hear of anyone who would be willing to produce these I'd be interested in purchasing one.

Have a great day,
Dom

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RajoRacer
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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by RajoRacer » Sat Jan 09, 2021 10:52 am

Thanks Donnie - great drawing !

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RajoRacer
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Re: Used my rare Stevens Front Axle re-facer today

Post by RajoRacer » Sat Jan 09, 2021 11:21 am

Allan - you can see in the photos Donnie posted that indeed the facer is a larger diameter than the axle yoke to properly machine the entire surface. A spindle body bushing is 1.0675 - the Stevens mill is 1.183 which is just over and 1/8" but less than 1/4".

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