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Post by patmanruls on Apr 10, 2005 3:49:37 GMT -6
I'm looking for what is considered the fastest modifications that are done to Awana wheels and axles.
Everyone knows the plastic for the wheels is very soft.
Wheels: 1. Do you cut the treads in half? How have you done it before?
2. Do you 'tap' the wheel's bore? If so, what size?
3. What other ideas on the wheels?
Axles: 1. Do you groove the axles?
2. Have you had the plated? How much difference did that make?
What other information can be provided?
Thanks in advance.
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Post by DaveM on Apr 29, 2005 19:53:58 GMT -6
Hi Emerson, I have built Awana cars with my son and daughter for 3 years. We reduce the tread by ~50% by sanding (not cutting). Start with 220 Grit sandpaper on a soft backed (hard rubber) sanding block and sand down SLOWLY (so the wheel doesn't melt) until we remove 40% of the tread. Best done with the wheel in a mandrel in a drill or drill press. Then we go with 400 grit and 600 grit wet sandpaper to remove the last 10% and round the inside edge. I believe this buys us about .01 sec. but don't have definitive time tests to prove it. We do not tap the wheel bores (we do burnish with pro-hub tool and polish with MaxV's hub polish). We do cone the hubs using the Pro-hub tool as well. For axles, I have sanded gradually up to 2500 grit, then polished with Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish. However, I am now inclined to forego the sanding and go straight to the polishing step. Polish with Mothers mag and aluminum using a dremel tool, then polish again with Mothers Billet polish and a dremel tool. Use the dremel tool with the polishing bit to work the polish into the axles. See the axle polishing results here.... Axle Polishing PhotosWe have used both grooved and ungrooved axles with graphite. Did not see a difference. Just switched to NyOil II this year and used ungrooved axles. MaxV's tests show a slight improvement with grooved axles using NyOil II, so we'll try that next time.
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Post by patmanruls on Apr 29, 2005 20:51:25 GMT -6
Dave, et. al
Thanks for the feedback. Conclusions were about where I expected them. Wheels are delicate and nobody has really come up with anything spectacular about treating them. I am impressed with the work to the axles. The pictures Dave provided are quite awesome and telling.. I will be working with my daughters to groove the axles and polish them as stated... but I've learned from these boards, and others, that NyOil may be playing second fiddle now. I've got my hands on some new stuff. We'll see how it works in the May race for WIRL. Going to have two stock and three modified entries.
You guys are all awesome.
EFC
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