Mandrel Speed

[brian]

Great site! My son and I recently purchased the Pro Mandrel along with the Pro Body Tool, Pro Axel Press and Pro Hub Tool. We were thinking of using our Dremel-like Black & Decker tool with the Pro Mandrel (easier to handle than my clunky 18V Drill which doesn't have a "trigger lock"), but I'm concerned about the speed of the B&D tool. Even at the lowest setting it seems to spin at a pretty high rate of speed. Am I at risk of melting/warping the wheels? In testing on an old wheel last night I was feeling heat through the sandpaper. This is probably a bad thing, right? Thanks!

RacerX, We're really excited to use your tools. I'm a traditionalist in that I believe my son needs to be heavily involved in the build, and your offerings allow for even more participation and a better understanding of the science of PWD racing. Thank you!

[Mr. Slick]

YES, that is most likely too fast. This is easy to determine if when the wheel starts to melt.

At the workshops I have the kids use a variable speed drill in one hand and the sandpaper in the other with the instructions that if you can feel the heat you are going too fast. They seem to do very well and every one has been reporting good results from their races.

Maximum Velocity does have a bracket for fastening a drill in place which may help out.

If the race is too soon or the drill is too bulky you could hold the drill and your son could hold the sandpaper.

[builderjim]

A variable speed drill with one of those small clamps works to hold the trigger so that the drill is just starting to spin. You just have to mount the drill in a vice.

Jim

[brian]

Thank you for the reply, Mr. Slick. I'm wondering if anybody has done any testing on possible benefits of melting down the tread surface a bit. I mean, perhaps it might help fill in the mold mark smooth the overall surface? (TIC)

But seriously, we'll give it a go with the drill. Thanks!