From: none@none.com99   
      
   On 1/18/2026 9:21 PM, Snag wrote:   
   > On 1/18/2026 3:41 PM, Bob La Londe wrote:   
   >> On 1/18/2026 1:27 PM, Snag wrote:   
   >>> On 1/18/2026 11:08 AM, Bob La Londe wrote:   
   >>>> On 1/17/2026 7:14 PM, Snag wrote:   
   >>>>>    I was installing some turnbuckle/chain sway control on the 3   
   >>>>> point hitch on my "new" tractor , and I was inattentive (I fucked   
   >>>>> up) and bent the tension rods on my HF hydraulic jack press while   
   >>>>> pressing some bolts out of the lower lift arms. I want to replace   
   >>>>> rather than straighten and I'm thinking 4140 might be a good   
   >>>>> choice . I've replaced the 12 ton jack it had originally with a 20   
   >>>>> ton unit ...   
   >>>>>    The original rods are 3/4" , I don't know what they're made of .   
   >>>>> I can get enough 4140 in 3/4" for a not-outrageous price to have a   
   >>>>> couple of feet left over for future projects . I figure the max   
   >>>>> tension load on each will be around 20,000 pounds which should be   
   >>>>> well within the limits of 4140 . Threads will be single point cut NF .   
   >>>>>    Unless someone can recommend a better alloy for this ... I only   
   >>>>> want to do this once !   
   >>>>   
   >>>> 4140 should be as good as you can get in a relatively common alloy.   
   >>>> 1144 is also very strong, much more easily machined, but not as   
   >>>> weldable (hot short), and not as rust resistant.  If I had 4140 on   
   >>>> hand I would use it, but for alloy steel my local yards only have   
   >>>> 1144 and stainless (304).  304 is more easily (in my opinion) welded   
   >>>> than 4140.   
   >>>>   
   >>>> First off.  I don't know what high tension rods you are referring   
   >>>> to. I have jack style 12 and 20 ton presses.  I don't think they   
   >>>> have those. Which leads us into the next part.   
   >>>>   
   >>>> The cross pins that support the table on the press can support the   
   >>>> full force of the hydraulic.  I can tell you first hand you will   
   >>>> either tear the upright construction steel or bend the top cross   
   >>>> member before those fail.  I've done both.  The cross pins on both   
   >>>> of my 20 ton presses are about 0.780in.  Not much more than 3/4.   
   >>>> 3/4 should be fine.   
   >>>>   
   >>>   
   >>>     The rods I'm talking about go from the top cross member of the   
   >>> frame to the cross member that the top of the jack pushes on . The   
   >>> plate/"ram" the jack sits on slides on those rods . I'm going to   
   >>> order that 4140 , 6 feet for 63 bucks delivered . Shipping costs as   
   >>> much as the material !   
   >>   
   >>   
   >> Looks like my post for McMaster didn't show up.  It was 50 bucks and   
   >> 40 bucks shipping at Mcmaster Carr.   
   >>   
   >   
   >    This is for a piece 6 feet long , that 63 bucks was before they added   
   > sales tax . which brought the total to 70 bucks . I'll probably order a   
   > piece of hex stock to make new nuts , depends on how they look when I   
   > get it disassembled .   
      
      
   Yep 6' piece is 50 bucks at McMaster.  It was MSC that did a bait and   
   switch showing me 3 foot pieces when I clicked on 72" length.   
      
   For small quantity I always check those two even though they have a   
   reputation for being high.  Sometimes single piece stock is reasonable.   
   Other sources are usually much better when you start getting into even   
   modest quantity.  I buy a variety of stuff from both of those vendors.   
   Some stuff from Zoro too, but Zoro is usually only best if I have one of   
   their discount coupons.  Almost never on metal stock.   
      
      
      
   --   
   Bob La Londe   
   CNC Molds N Stuff   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)