From: none@none.com99   
      
   On 1/18/2026 9:38 PM, Snag wrote:   
   > On 1/18/2026 10:21 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 .   
   >   
   >    Actually , I have a piece of 4140 round stock that I can use to make   
   > the nuts . I can make them either hex or square and larger outside   
   > dimension than the originals . I've already beefed up the top cross bar   
   > on the frame , I'll probably replace the cross bar the jack pushes on   
   > with some heavier wall stock I have on hand ...   
      
      
   I'm pretty functional, often making square drives that will fit a   
   particular 12 point wrench or socket, but there is certainly an elegant   
   look to a well made hex with a nice chamfer.   
      
   --   
   Bob La Londe   
   CNC Molds N Stuff   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)