Denny,
No need to get defensive, I happen to agree with you for the most part.
I would be very leery about modifying an axle to "drop" it. I too agree that the strength of the axle could, and probably will change. I was secretly hoping that we would talk him out of trying to modify an axle like this.
You say, "how can you say all that when you just posted some ideas on how to do it?"
I think it better to let someone learn from what I did succesfully then let them learn on their own with trial and error, as the error part could be deadly.
I used axles that were rated for around twice the weight of the original axle. I asked around to see if what I wanted to do had been done, and with what results. I also found out how to do it "properly", but knowing there is still a risk. I cut and welded them in the center. If they fail then the center will bow downwards. So, considering the extra strength, and the possible failure mode I decided it was a risk I was willing to take.
I did talk to the people at MorDrop? and they apparently do this for a living. I have also heard that some of the work they do is not very good, and some is.
So, axles can be modified, it is generally not a good idea, often against the law, and hard to find reliable information on how to do it properly and "safely".
Grigg
