Should Counter Shaft Be Hardened?

[MikeMc]

When I got my lathe the counter shaft 4-step pulley was broken and had a piece of coat hanger through a hole drilled through both it and the shaft to hold it in place (no woodruff keys) also the pulley had spun when the set screw got loose scoring the shaft badly.
I replaced the shaft with a piece of 3/4" drill rod, cutting the keyways on the drill press and filing flats for the set screws. When I had it apart to replace the bushings I found that one end of it is already scored, probably from steel slivers embeded in the old bushing.
So my question is should I have hardened the shaft after machining and if so should it be tempered and to what hardness?

Thanks,
MikeMc

 

[Silverbullet]

I don't think the shaft needs to be hardened at all drill rod is pretty tough and it should last with bronze bushings a lifetime if lubed regularly. Now as you noticed the slivers of steel embedded will score the steel, if your drill chuck spins on a drill it does the same thing. The jaws are hardened on the chuck . What I mean is even when the drill rod gets hardened it can still be scored by steel , most drills aren't super hard but they are tuff . If you were using to make a punch then I harden them and draw to a light straw color. Even hardened it will wear if abraded enough . Make some new bushings polish your shaft and you should be set for years of great service from your lathe.

 

[MikeMc]

Thanks for the info. I had to put the new shaft in old bushings until I could get new ones which are in the mail.

Next question: To the left of these messages are a little box wit name flag and another word whose meaning I don't understand for yours it says 'Iron', for mine 'Swarf'.
What's that about?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[T Bredehoft]

Unknowingly, I'll try to answer. I believe this has something to do with either the regularity or number of your posts. once you pass a certain number you will become something else. Notice that I am an Active Member. (I've been here three months)

 

[wa5cab]

The default courtesy titles are supposedly based upon how many posts you have made. However, I don't recall seeing a list since the changeover to Xenforo. The order is I think Newbie, Swarf, Iron, and Active Member. However, I don't think that it happens automatically, or at least not always. The blue bar saying Active Member last I heard was supposed to be awarded at 30 posts. Which gives you access to Downloads and the For Sale and Wanted lists. It appears that custom title Active Members has been replacing the others whenever the blue bar appears.