[TD78]

Originally Posted by JesseK

We had great success with 1/4" steel rod that was put through a die on either end with locknuts in 2007. 2011-2012 we moved to 3/8" steel rod that was supported similarly. It was quite easy to machine - stick the die into a vice, stick the rod in a cordless 18V drill, use lots of tap magic and BAM 30 seconds later you have an axle. Just make sure the mount hole hits the solid rod and not the threads.

I should clarify. I was not looking to form 3/8"-16 threads (or similar) using a die...I was thinking about drilling and tapping the ends of the steel rod (using a drill and tap). The rod would become a stiffening dead axle.