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Steering stem material

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 4:16 pm
by Jeff L
What would be the best choice for the stem? Hopefully something relatively easy to machine & weld...thanks

Re: Steering stem material

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2017 7:54 pm
by Dusty-Dave
The ones I have had in the lathe cut like mild steel. I never put one on the grinder to be for sure but they aren't very tough. as heavy as they are 1020 ought to be fine if I used welded tube I think I wouldn't use DOM so I could be sure the weld was not straight forward or backward. If you decide on chrome molly don't forget that any electric welding process on cromo must be normalized.
Dusty

Re: Steering stem material

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2017 1:29 pm
by Jeff L
I went on a couple sites, but couldn't find 1020. Is 1018 similar?

Re: Steering stem material

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2017 1:39 pm
by curt
I used 1018 cold rolled bar on mine haven't had any problems

Re: Steering stem material

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2017 2:24 pm
by Dusty-Dave
1018 would be fine. If you have the ability machining it out of hot rolled shaft would be best. Next best would be seamless tube then resistance welded tube And if I had to use DOM I would dye it to find the weld.
Dusty

Re: Steering stem material

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2017 3:22 pm
by Jeff L
Cool. Making it out of bar stock was my plan.

Re: Steering stem material

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 9:21 am
by budoka
ditto. 1018 works just fine from my experience.

-dan