Changing Gear Shafts

[pestobanana]

I have two sets of gears, where the gears themselves are perfectly fine, but each set has a bent shaft on the spur gear. I remember hearing about some gun docs hammering out gearshafts, is there a specific method for doing this? Does it matter are all shafts made to the same dimensions?

[ThunderCactus]

Yes, since they all have to fit in the same bearings
There are some differences in what's ON the shaft, and the length, but mostly the same.
Find a 6" vice, open it 1/8" or so the shaft just barely pokes through, make sure the gear is laying FLAT
You can heat up the gear if necessary to try to make this easier, but not too hot as you'll lose hardness, I'd say no more than 150F
Then, USING A PUNCH, hammer that shaft out
Be very careful tapping the new shaft in as you may bend it.

[pestobanana]

Well looks like there's no black magic for me to be aware of. Thanks, I'll give it a try next time I go to my friend's workshop.

[ThunderCactus]

There's no axial force presented on the shafts themselves, so they don't need any serious locking mechanisms