I don't
I need to build a replacement axle for this amusement park train ride, and it’s pretty straightforward, except for the method which was used to key the wheel to the axle.
This is probably not correct, but "in the field" we call this a "dutchman", or a "dutch key". I think (not sure) that these are technically a round dowel used as a key, but I'm not sure.
What you have there however is an arbitrarily large threaded "dutch key". Usually a threaded dutchman would not be that large relative to the shaft, and that would indicate previous repairs, oversizing the hole for new threads, so that they could be timed to each other. HOWEVER, given the application, I suspect that it might be done on purpose, as I suspect that the axial load might be kinda low on average, but pretty significant at specific times.
I have a couple of ideas on how to pull this off, but wondering if anyone here has done this before ? or has similar experience and thoughts on how to achieve this.
The issue lies in, utilizing the existing tapped hole, or more specifically (half of a tapped hole), in the existing train wheel. I need to construct a new axle so that the end of the shaft has half of a tapped hole to line up with the other (existing) half in the wheel and be able to insert a 6 mm set screw to lock it in place.
You've got two legitimate choices. One is to oversize the hole, and rethread it for the next sized fastener. The other is to start a brand new hole, clocked somewhere else on the wheel. You're looking at the parts, not me, but IF and ONLY IF the parts allow, upsizing the original would be the preferred option if this were done in modern industry. That type of key is still used on occasion. Option B, the other option, is still valid, just be sure there's enough "meat" left on the diameter of the shaft to support the wheel all the way around.
The hole is best drilled with an end mill ifyou can. You can drill it (it doesn't matter if it's offset), but the drill doesn't want to be where it oughtta be, it wants to fillow the "joint" between the two pieces. That offsets the intersection between the screw and the joint so that they dont' hit 180 degrees on the screw as you would like them to. Still works though.
The "key" used is typically just a hard set screw, although if the mating surfaces are flat, I have seen well graded bolts installed. That as opposed to "normal" keys, where the standard is for them to be kinda soft.
When tapping those holes, three flutes works better than two or four, all day long. And if you can at all, loctite the parts together, in position, AT LEAST for the tapping operation. Too much movement, tapping across the intersections, strange forces trying to make those parts rotate against each other..... It doesn't matter if you have tho heat the loctite out and take it apart again before final assembly, (although it surely wouldn't hurt anything to leave it), but even if it's only for a "pre-assembly" to make those threads, life will be better if you can fix those parts together while you're milling/drilling/tapping. After that... For as butch as it seems to be, It's actually a remarkably stout anchoring solution. Pain in the tuchus to work on after the fact, but a very stout joint until then.