Newbie question re: keyed live axles and wheels

[deuce-coupe]

All -
Thanks in advance for any insights. I searched the other forum postings and didn't find what I'm looking for.

I purchased a '70s vintage kart as a project to teach my 9 year old grand nephew some building skills. The kart has one wheel drive and terrible brakes. After some research, a live axle seems to make the most sense. I've studied these forums and various kart parts websites, and I've got a good shopping list.

By the way, I have the kart frame in a jig and good welding skills. I've also got lots of car fabrication experience.

Anyway, it seems what I need is a 1" axle with keyed wheels. A few questions:

1. I've seen some configurations where the wheel is keyed and bored to 1". I assume these mount directly to the axle and are held on the outside with either an axle nut or snap ring. Is there an advantage to one over the other?

2. I've also seen 1" axles with a step down to 3/4" and typically 2" from the end to the step down shoulder. The wheels seem to be keyed and with a 3/4" bore. My key question: I'm not certain how these wheels mount up and lock into the axle key? What am I missing in understanding?

Thanks much,

 

[mckutzy]

Both are keyed the same... a milled slot in the axle. A stepped axle also, typically has a threaded end for a nut.
With a standard keyed shaft, method for keeping the wheel on, is to have hub with setscrews, and double up with some shaft collars(either bored to fit or split).

Very rarely do we encounter a snap-ring held fast wheels... albeit that would be the easiest to diy, but they're a pain in the rear, especially if you have to travel a long distance to set...

 

[ol'joe]

My choice would be keyed hubs and threaded ends on the axle with either lock nuts or double nuts locking one another.

Nothing about that means it would be any better than the above mentioned system, but I think that tightening the hub against the axle shoulder with a torqued nut might eliminate possible wear in the bore and keyway from tiny squirming vibrations.

Personally, I think almost anything would be better than snap rings.... Joe

 

[deuce-coupe]

Thanks McKutzy and Ol'Joe for your insights. I ordered my parts and went with a solution in line with your recommendations. Much appreciated!!