Drilled 32 ford axle

[Cedward]

I would like to drill a series of holes in my solid beam axle, has anyone out there figured out the distance for holes to be drilled?

 

[58 Impala]

I just take a fine tip Sharpie and mark out the spacing that looks good depending on what size drill bit I use. 

Edited October 14, 2019 by 58 Impala

[Cedward]

Tom you make it sound so easy!

[OneTrickPony]

Most 1:1 guys say to leave at least the full diameter of the holes between them for strength. Some guys go to smaller holes as they get past the spring perches.

[58 Impala]

Ed, it really is pretty easy. First find the center point of the axle and the outer most points you want to go to on the axle. Then keep spliting the difference to make the spacing even and so you have the same amount of holes on each side. Find the right bit depending on the width of the recess in the I-beam that will look right. But before drilling the final size holes, I drill smaller pilot holes so my final bit size doesn't wander. You could practice on a scrap piece of styrene to get comfortable with drilling the holes before doing  on your kit.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Just a word of caution...unless you have a semi-special bit that's not going to split the plastic, you'll be far safer drilling your holes WAY UNDERSIZED and filing them to final diameter.

These little plastic axles have very little strength, and they're brittle. If you use a final-size drill bit, the odds are very good you'll break the axle as the bit punches through the backside.

Drill considerably undersized, then open the holes up CAREFULLY with files. Tapered round files will work, but with the caveat below.

Another warning...most round files have teeth cut on a bias. If you try to "screw" the file into the hole clockwise, it will also dig in and break your little axle.

Twirling the file counterclockwise will avoid this, though it will cut much slower.

I also recommend you get a set of these little files made for torch tips. The teeth are cut straight.

 

 

 

[STYRENE-SURFER]

Perhaps you could just use a small drill not going through all the way but just enough so after it's painted you could add some thinned out black to simulate it.

[Deuces]

Start off with a #1 center drill or an even smaller #0 or I think #000 center drill.... You should be able to order those from MSC or Production Tool.... Your also going to need a pin vise set..... ?

[Cedward]

Thanks guys I used a 40 ford axle using a #57 drill bit & laid out 14 spaced holes it was easy!