Welding on an Axle Shaft?

[RonRock]

So I am not am expert welder but what makes you think you overheated it? Picture? If it ended up being the right size with nice looking welds I would not worry about it. If you are worried it cooled too fast and got brittle, heat it up with the torch until a magnet no longer sticks and let it cool slowly to stress relieve/anneal.

The weld area got red hot during my welding. I did take a couple breaks to let it cool between weld sections. After welding was complete I let it air cool on the bench. Earlier posts told me not to get it too hot, that is what caused my concern. I think that I will just go with it as is. After all this is just a golf cart not a highway vehicle. I plan to use it as a yard mule for work around my house. Shouldn't be too hard on it.

Thanks guys

 

[woodchucker]

The weld area got red hot during my welding. I did take a couple breaks to let it cool between weld sections. After welding was complete I let it air cool on the bench. Earlier posts told me not to get it too hot, that is what caused my concern. I think that I will just go with it as is. After all this is just a golf cart not a highway vehicle. I plan to use it as a yard mule for work around my house. Shouldn't be too hard on it.

Thanks guys

Why would you go with it as is. You need to add temper otherwise it may snap.

Removing stresses is important. You have probably created a hard area without a smooth transition away. Heating it will make the transition from hard to softer more gradual and less likely to break.

 

[RonRock]

Why would you go with it as is. You need to add temper otherwise it may snap.

Removing stresses is important. You have probably created a hard area without a smooth transition away. Heating it will make the transition from hard to softer more gradual and less likely to break.

OK I would be happy to do whatever I can to avoid potential breakage.

Are you suggesting that I heat the welded area to red hot again and let it cool? That's easy enough to do. Or put the whole shaft in my oven?

Or can you tell me what I should do to "add temper?" I want to do whatever I can, but need some guidance.

 

[woodchucker]

OK I would be happy to do whatever I can to avoid potential breakage.

Are you suggesting that I heat the welded area to red hot again and let it cool? That's easy enough to do. Or put the whole shaft in my oven?

Or can you tell me what I should do to "add temper?" I want to do whatever I can, but need some guidance.

you need to heat a wider area than just the weld, then let it cool slowly. Right now the weld area was red hot leading to a localized stress area. By heating the shaft to a larger area you will soften it up and remove the stresses. The goal would be to get it red hot for a couple of inches outside the weld area, then let it cool slowly... if it's cold by you, then add heat or put a fiberglass blanket over it to slow down the cooling.

 

[RonRock]

you need to heat a wider area than just the weld, then let it cool slowly. Right now the weld area was red hot leading to a localized stress area. By heating the shaft to a larger area you will soften it up and remove the stresses. The goal would be to get it red hot for a couple of inches outside the weld area, then let it cool slowly... if it's cold by you, then add heat or put a fiberglass blanket over it to slow down the cooling.

I will do that. Thank you

 

[woodchucker]

I will do that. Thank you

Btw a torch is all that's needed. Oa or propane if you build a fire brick channel.