MTFCA Forum

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 ...

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.

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.

Here is what I use. Modern replacement for the Stevens

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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 ..

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

Thanks Donnie - great drawing !

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".