dolly wheel 5/8" axle

[PoorOwner]

So I got a couple of wheels I am going to put under my generator.
I plan to get a 5/8" steel rod to use axle. What is the best way to have something to secure the wheels? I am not sure if I can handle drilling through the rod without breaking the bits. if I am going to do a cotter pin thing.

Do you think a 5/8" lag or carriage bolt will work as well as an axle too, it is much cheaper than steel rods. Weld the end of bolt to the "chassis" and use a nut on the inside of the wheel to set it in place?
It's going to be hauled 50' at a time on concrete only so don't want to overkill this one.

 

[eschoendorff]

What about welding a fender washer to each end of the rod?


There are different types of steel rods.. but if you have a drill press, it shouldn't be too hard to bore through the rod to ue a hitch pin or something. Now if you are using some sort of exotic hardened steel or something you may have a problem. But for mild steel rod, just go slow, use some cutting oil and firm steady pressure. When the chips spiral, you know you've hit the sweet spot.

 

[PoorOwner]

I love the washer idea, sounds simple enough.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I love the washer idea, sounds simple enough.

Until you need to change a wheel. Weld it on one side, grind a small flat on the other, then drill a hole for a cotter pin. Or, you can look for those hammer on caps like wagons have. I think they have them at Ace hardware's usually.

You could also use a shaft collar.

 

[fastleft]

How about threaded rod with washers and nylock nuts on each side?

 

[PoorOwner]

Well, I am probably won't change the wheel for the lifetime of this product..
the wheel is solid rubber and it will only serve to roll from the shed to the yard for the generator, otherwise way too heavy to carry. I can get a universa wheell kit for $30 or so, and I am trying to beat the cost of this, so far $6 for the 2 wheels no metal purchased yet.

Are 5/8" bolts actually 5/8" diameter?

 

[strizzy]

I would say if there is a trailer shop around you can get those caps that look like hats. They are used on roller trailers on 5/8" shafts. Just pop them on with a mallet.

Could be what nissan_crawler is talking about when he said "shaft collar." Im just not sure of the name...

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...D=1006&i=20617&pdesc=Cap_Nuts_4_for_5/8_shaft

 

[PoorOwner]

I think the collars might be 2 U shaped pieces that held together by 2 allen screws, they seem pricy..

 

[Ign]

I did this to my HF cement mixer. I didn't even use washers LOL, just put some tacks around the axle to form a kinda raised hump washer thing. Crude, but effective. If I ever need to remove the wheels I've got about 9 grinders around here.......

A 5/8" bolt won't be exactly 5/8", no, but close enough. Hardware store fasteners are generally 10 to 15 thou small, depending upon quality.

 

[wilbilt]

5/8" cold-rolled shaft is cheap and plenty easy to drill for cotters.

If you have any old lawnmowers around, you could ****** the wheel mounts and bolts from one (wheels, too). I made a dolly for rolling my ancient stick welder around from mower parts.

 

[nissan_crawler]

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/N2DRVSH?PACACHE=000000052134660

 

[russlaferrera]

Drill the 5/8 rod. you will be OK. Just center punch it, before you drill.