Quote:
Originally Posted by Pat Fairbank
You can buy 1/2" hexagonal steel stock and machine an axle out of it. Try looking for a local metal distributor, or if you don't mind paying a premium you can order it from McMaster-Carr (search www.mcmaster.com for "steel hex stock").
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I know this is random, but I just bought some steel hex stock from mcmaster... and for them, it is incredibly cheap! $10 for a 6' is pretty good with their reputation. It also arrived the very next day.
And to backup what others have said, the AM hubs are the way to go. You really can't beat that price and quality.
Do you have a lathe? If not, it may be difficult to get the axle in a bearing as it won't be round. I know some teams have put the hex directly in a bearing (217?), while others made a part that is round on the outside, and has the hex on the inside to seat in bearing (195?).
IF you don't have a lathe, you're probably better off going with the keyed shaft.