Rational Horse Shoeing and Wagon Making
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with rules, tables, recipes, etc., useful to
manufactures, blacksmiths, machinists,
well-drillers, engineers, liverymen,
horse-shoers, farmers, wagon-makers,
mechanics, amateurs and all others who have
occasion to perform the work for which this
book is primarily intended.
When a worn buggy axle is to be stubbed, proceed as follows:
First, measure the length of the old axle. For this purpose take
a quarter inch rod of iron, bend a square bend about an inch
long on one end. With this rod measure from the end of the
bearing, that is, let the hook of your rod catch against the
shoulder at the end where the thread begins, not against the
collars, for they are worn, nor should you measure from the
end of the axle, for the threaded part is not of the same
length. Now place your stub on the end of the axle and mark it
where you want to cut it off. Cut the axle one-fourth inch
longer than it should be when finished. Next heat the ends to
be welded and upset them so that they are considerably
thicker over the weld; lap the ends like No. I, Figure 6, weld
and use sand, but if the ends should not be welded very well
then use borax. These stubs are made of soft steel, and will
stand a higher heat than tool steel, but remember it is steel. If
down on, and be of the right length. If this is rightly done one cannot
tell where the weld is. Set the axle by the gauge, if you have one, if not,
by the wheels.
AXLE GAUGE
A gauge to set axles by can be made in this way: When you have set
an axle by the wheels so that it is right, take a piece of iron 1 ¼ x 1/4,
six feet long, bend a foot on this about six inches long, with a leg on
the other end. See NO.5, Figure 8; the leg to be movable and set
either with a wedge or a set screw to fit for wide and narrow track.
The gauge to be set against the bottom side of the axle. The pitch to
be given a set of buggy wheels should be from one to one and
one-half inches. I would recommend one and a half inches. This will be
enough to insure a plumb spoke when the vehicle is loaded. It will also
insure safety to the rider from mud slinging. By pitch, I mean that the
wheels are one and a half inches wider at the upper rim than they are
down at the ground. . Every smith ought to have a gauge of this kind,
it is easy to make and it saves a lot of work, as there is no use of the
wheels being put on and an endless measuring in order to get the
axle set right.
GATHER GAUGE
By gather I mean that the wheels should be from one-fourth to
one-half an inch wider back than in front. Don't misunderstand me now
little gather in front, as they are inclined to spread and throw the bearing on the nut, while, if they have a little
gather, they will run right, and have a tendency to throw the bearing on the collars of the axle. If they do they will
run more steady, especially when the axle is a little worn.
A gauge for this purpose can be made like Figure 8, No.6. This gauge to be fitted to the front side of the axle
when you make it. It can be made of I x J,( about three feet long, the forked end to reach the center of the axle. With
these two gauges axles can be set right without the wheels.
Wheels in Sections
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