So I am gonna shorten my drive shaft about 1-1/4" and need to make 2 fairly accurate cuts (plus a nice sleeve inside). Ill do that on my lathe. We can discuss accurate pipe welding later, but I need a PIPE CUTTER from 2" to 4" capacity. Mine only goes 2-1/2". The shaft is 3" and about 3-3/4" below the step. Not a two piece, just necked down. In the market to beg, borrow, steal, rent, or buy. Pipe cutting/threading stuff is way $$$ ! Bill
Why don't you use a cut-off tool on your lathe? Maybe don't understand the problem. If you get your cuts square you shouldn't need a sleeve. Most drive shaft shops will cut, replace u joints and balance a drive shaft for $125.
If I still had access to the 20" X 104" long American Pacemaker at work, that would be fantastic! I agree 100%. However, my lathe is a 9" x 48" South Bend without a steady rest. I need the square cuts even with the V clamps for welding pipe butt joints just to keep it on the straight and narrow. That sleeve is also gonna improve my chances of success as my welding skills have diminished with age and practice. Im gonna look into a DS shop. The Napa place in town now gets $35.00 per joint change PLUS the joint. and (45.00) for a non vendor supplied joint with YOU supplying the joint. So now thats 80.00 for the joint labor and 40.00 ish for the 2 joints. Ill be back on this one! ws
Grind the weld off the yoke mount with cut off wheel, and knock it off, then clean it up with sand paper, file the tube off straight to length, then tap it back in and weld should be fine.
At the '86 GS Nats I broke a driveshaft at 100mph! Found a local guy with a Chevelle driveshaft but it was 1" too long. We carefully cut it next to the weld with a hacksaw and had it welded at a gas station. Then drove it the 850 miles home! For the most part, the tube will self-index to be parallel/square since it slips onto the yoke a few inches. Just scribe a line on the tube before you remove to keep the u-joint orientation correct.
Well, great minds DO think alike! I wasnt in the least bit apprehensive about doing this with the exception of a good straight cut, HOWEVER... I found a shop in Green Bay, about 40 miles, that will cut, shorten and balance for 112.50, and 2 Spicer U-joints at 25.00 each installed. Guess thats that. DS's are all they do. Automotive, heavy equip, marine , etc... Thanks guys... Bill
Or A-1 in Milwaukee will custom make you one for about $165. I had one made for my race car using 1350 u-joints and rated for more horse than I need....
Thanks for the Milw. link! Green Bay is a lot closer and we do dr. stuff there weekly. Im surprised theres nothing in town here with all the farm equip. that gets the crap beat outa it! ws
