Best way to rotate axles?
Best way to rotate axles?
Hello everyone,
After I build the car and test it on a track, I'm sure I will want to rotate the DW to fine tune it. What is the best way to do this? I know they sell plyers special for removing axles. Do most use something like needle-nose plyers? Any tips would help tp prevent from messing up the head of the axle.
Thanks!
After I build the car and test it on a track, I'm sure I will want to rotate the DW to fine tune it. What is the best way to do this? I know they sell plyers special for removing axles. Do most use something like needle-nose plyers? Any tips would help tp prevent from messing up the head of the axle.
Thanks!
- Stan Pope
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Re: Best way to rotate axles?
If you axle head is tapered underneath, then you have little to fear from small dings in the edge of the axle head ... which means almost any pliars would do the job. If you are flat underneath, then it gets to be more of a challenge, especially if you remove the outer hub face step! Then, "no dings allowed." In that case check your rules to see if you can cut a slot in the end of the nail head ... A dremel emery disk should do it. Then you can turn with a screwdriver and no problems with access or dings. But if you must preserve the appearance of the nail head, then consider filing flat spots on the shaft just where the shaft starts to enter the body. Then cut a "wrench" from thin stock 1/32" thick but strong with a slot in the edge that just fits around the flat spots you filed. If you can make it strong enough, you get a "twofer" ... the "wrench" doubles as an insertion depth gage as well as a rotation adjustment tool.
We usually relieve the sharp edge of the axle head after cutting the taper ... flatten that edge a bit. If one were to flatten the the edge to a consistent diameter, then file a flat spot at diametrically opposed locations, one could then construct a "wrench" from steel tubing with tapered OD (to fit into the recessed outer hub) and interior flat spots to grasp the flats of the nail head. Hmmm ... busy, busy!
Maybe someone had a simpler answer ... ???
We usually relieve the sharp edge of the axle head after cutting the taper ... flatten that edge a bit. If one were to flatten the the edge to a consistent diameter, then file a flat spot at diametrically opposed locations, one could then construct a "wrench" from steel tubing with tapered OD (to fit into the recessed outer hub) and interior flat spots to grasp the flats of the nail head. Hmmm ... busy, busy!
Maybe someone had a simpler answer ... ???
Stan
"If it's not for the boys, it's for the birds!"
"If it's not for the boys, it's for the birds!"
Re: Best way to rotate axles?
I find the easiest for us is to use the axle extraction pliers MaxV sells. It also works well for inserting the axle as well, leaves a nice axle spacing when you push the wheel to the body.
Re: Best way to rotate axles?
Take a Dremel cutoff wheel and cut a groove in the head of the nail. You can then just use a screwdriver to rotate it as desired.
Thanks goes to Khouse for that tip a while ago.
Thanks goes to Khouse for that tip a while ago.
Re: Best way to rotate axles?
AXEL REMOVAL
Use 50 lb test braided (superbraid not mono) fishing line doubled then fashion a slip-knot noose on one end with the other end fixed to a block or some other convenient lever (it will slice your hand if you try to hold it). Simply slip the noose around and under the nail head, tighten and with firm pressue pull out the nail. Removes axles without marring them in any way.
AXEL ROTATION
Strongly prefer to slot the nail heads with a dremmel / cutting wheel combo. It's eaier than you think and makes tuning with a screwdriver a breeze! If your rules allow it (or don't disallow it) that is Otherwise you're stuck with pliers of some sort.
My hand isn't as steady as it once was so I like to mount the dremmel in my drill press vise in a fixed position, then I lower a chucked nail (drill press is just a nail holder) down just enough to get my slot accross the nail head. You can do four in 5 mins. If you bend with the slot direction you don't have to worry about marks coming off anymore either.
There seems to be folks claiming names for this technique, but axle slotting has been used quite a long time in my family. We used to put "X" in our axles.
Kenny
Use 50 lb test braided (superbraid not mono) fishing line doubled then fashion a slip-knot noose on one end with the other end fixed to a block or some other convenient lever (it will slice your hand if you try to hold it). Simply slip the noose around and under the nail head, tighten and with firm pressue pull out the nail. Removes axles without marring them in any way.
AXEL ROTATION
Strongly prefer to slot the nail heads with a dremmel / cutting wheel combo. It's eaier than you think and makes tuning with a screwdriver a breeze! If your rules allow it (or don't disallow it) that is Otherwise you're stuck with pliers of some sort.
My hand isn't as steady as it once was so I like to mount the dremmel in my drill press vise in a fixed position, then I lower a chucked nail (drill press is just a nail holder) down just enough to get my slot accross the nail head. You can do four in 5 mins. If you bend with the slot direction you don't have to worry about marks coming off anymore either.
There seems to be folks claiming names for this technique, but axle slotting has been used quite a long time in my family. We used to put "X" in our axles.
Kenny
Re: Best way to rotate axles?
Here's what we've been doing for the last couple years on the front axle...and then use a pair of needle nose pliers to adjust...
- Stan Pope
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Re: Best way to rotate axles?
Very clever, BT!!!bigtex wrote:Here's what we've been doing for the last couple years on the front axle...and then use a pair of needle nose pliers to adjust...
Stan
"If it's not for the boys, it's for the birds!"
"If it's not for the boys, it's for the birds!"
- FatSebastian
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Re: Best way to rotate axles?
Neat! Do you need to add glue (or similar) to secure the axle when you're done?bigtex wrote:Here's what we've been doing for the last couple years on the front axle...and then use a pair of needle nose pliers to adjust...
Re: Best way to rotate axles?
Yeah, about 30 minutes before checking it in we add a couple drops of super glue or gorilla super glue...FatSebastian wrote:Neat! Do you need to add glue (or similar) to secure the axle when you're done?bigtex wrote:Here's what we've been doing for the last couple years on the front axle...and then use a pair of needle nose pliers to adjust...
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Re: Best way to rotate axles?
My son and I just took an older pair of needle nose pliers and notched the inside of the jaws with the Dremel. We used a test car to make sure the notches fit the axle head properly .While we had the Dremel out, deburred any rough spots on the pliers and sprayed them to match this years car. Next year they will be repainted to match then. Our idea is if we can not make it, it isn't worthy !
Sheldon
Sheldon
Re: Best way to rotate axles?
Use a small pair of flat nose pliers without any knurling or fasten a small piece of brass stock to the face of the pliers, I did the brass by drilling the pliers and tapping the brass. After you get the brass mounted securely take an old nail and grip it tightly, this will create a little groove for nail to set in while adjusting.
Re: Best way to rotate axles?
psycaz wrote:Take a Dremel cutoff wheel and cut a groove in the head of the nail. You can then just use a screwdriver to rotate it as desired.
Thanks goes to Khouse for that tip a while ago.
By far the easiest method for any axle bender! Khouse slot. Also serves as a permanent alignment mark, throw out the sharpie!
Re: Best way to rotate axles?
I have successfully used needle nose with a thin adhesive backed rubber on the jaws. Didn't leave a mark and worked great. I didn't glue the axles at all until last year and the kid has won den/pack and district pretty consistently. But he is a pretty particular kid when he sets the car down so my worry is a bit less for that. Does everyone glue them? Thanks
- Stan Pope
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Re: Best way to rotate axles?
The "slot" would probably not pass your district inspection, since the axle head's original appearance needs to be preserved if you race "this side of the river".shags72 wrote: I have successfully used needle nose with a thin adhesive backed rubber on the jaws. Didn't leave a mark and worked great.
I and mine have never glued them in except one year way back when we used the grooves. The friction fit of axle to hole is quite adequate.shags72 wrote:I didn't glue the axles at all until last year and the kid has won den/pack and district pretty consistently. But he is a pretty particular kid when he sets the car down so my worry is a bit less for that. Does everyone glue them? Thanks
Stan
"If it's not for the boys, it's for the birds!"
"If it's not for the boys, it's for the birds!"
Re: Best way to rotate axles?
Yeah I wasn't thinking of the slots Stan, I knew that rule would kill it. It would be nice though.
Well I am glad to hear that you don't glue the axles too just thought I would check because with the bent axles the front I would think could go up if hit. The back would just go to highpoint which if drilled correctly, they would already be at. Thanks again!
As an afterthought Stan is there somewhere else he can take his car after district?
Well I am glad to hear that you don't glue the axles too just thought I would check because with the bent axles the front I would think could go up if hit. The back would just go to highpoint which if drilled correctly, they would already be at. Thanks again!
As an afterthought Stan is there somewhere else he can take his car after district?