The Axles

[Threader]

Most of the PWD races are BSA. The next few hints are for BSA axles.

BSA axles are in fact some kind of nail. As a nail they are NOT normally straight. The first thing to check for is to see if they are straight. A great tool for making them straight is the Pro-Axle tool. ( Sold at a lot of places ) Instructions are included with the tool.

Without the tool you could place the axle on a flat surface. ( axle head and the burrs over the edge ) and roll it looking for light. This would mean the axle is bent if you see light. Not sure how to straighten them without the axle press.

The burs.... BSA axles have little webs or burs at the head on the nail. These need to be removed or they will slow your car down, a lot. Remove them in a drill or drill press using a fine file.

There is a good deal of question about the ridges on the axle. Some say remove them, others say put them on top when you put them in your block. Whichever you decide to do polish the axle shaft with VERY fine sandpaper, or polish compound.

Some rules will let you taper the axle head, some don't. If you can taper the head when you remove the burs ( webs )

[Sssnake]

Make sure to remove the bulges caused by putting the point on the nail. These bulges will enlarge your slots or holes and cause a sloppy fit for your axles.

[WarpSpeedINC]

When removing the burrs on the shaft and nail head using a file, be sure to use moderate pressure to avoid clogging the file. Most axle material is not very hard and is easy to work with, but also cuts fast and it is easy to load up the file and do more damage than good. Especially under the nail head.

Good luck!!

War Speed Inc.

[Sssnake]

When filing the wbs under the head and beveling the under surface, stop short of touching the shaft of the nail. then using a dremel cut off wheel held in your fingers you can remove the last little bit. This prevents undercuting the shaft.
Note: Work slow and easy, dremel cut offs break easily if bent or torqued and can cause cuts.