best axle polish

[xxbowhunterx]

What is the best method for polishing axles? Should I sand them? Then what should I use for the final polish? I have heard brasso, and chrome polish. In that order? If I use brasso and chrome polish do I even need to sand? I am trying not to sand because I am afraid of taking too much material off and making the diameter too small. any help is greatly appreciated.

[Murph]

Thanks for your inquiry Bowhunter,

A good chrome polish followed by Brasso is good for final axle preparation.

The hardest part of axle preparation is getting rid of the major axle imperfections as the first step.

You and your scout should use a good file to remove the crimp marks (on axle shaft) and burrs (2 imperfections at axle head @ 180 degrees orientation of each other).

Concentrate on the axle heads....

Do not take too much material off around the axle head. You might want to remove the burrs with the axle in a static position (not rotating).

You can use sandpaper after you remove the imperfections from the shaft and axle head. We start at 400 and move up from there. Just a little bit of sanding. Finish with polish and Brasso.

Mark the axle heads in a way so you know where the crimp marks were located..... > These axles are not round and you will want to insert the axles all in the same orientation. A Dremel tool does a good job of marking the axle head.

Note: The BSA axles are larger in diameter 90 degrees opposite of the crimp marks. Opinions vary around which way to orientate the axles in the body.

We tend to orientate the axles (rotationally) in the body with the "former" crimp marks located in a vertical fashion. The wider part of axle will be orientated in a horizontal fashion.

Thanks!
Murph

[xxbowhunterx]

Thanks Murph. The knowledge on this board is great. I guess I should have mentioned the I am buying speed axles so I don't have to clean up the burrs. Not the ones with the grooves.

[Murph]

Bowhunter,
After market axles work well in terms of reducing work and attaining uniform axle diameter.

Let us know if you need any more support!
Murph

[*5 J's*]

Dec 31, 2012 18:30:46 GMT -6 Murph said:

Note: The BSA axles are larger in diameter 90 degrees opposite of the crimp marks. Opinions vary around which way to orientate the axles in the body.

We tend to orientate the axles (rotationally) in the body with the "former" crimp marks located in a vertical fashion. The wider part of axle will be orientated in a horizontal fashion.

Thanks!
Murph

Murph - as we get ready for another year of scout racing - I was thinking about the oval shape of the BSA axles and the best way to orient after removing crimp marks & flashing. I know many state to orient such that the widest section is vertical - however - I am questioning this logic. To me it makes more sense to orient the widest section horizontally as you suggest. I plan on doing some testing - but I know you do a lot of testing. Have you done any testing to compare the different orientation of the BSA axles?

[Murph]

5J,
I have not run a car down the track since last June. I will get some cars on the track next weekend and head for PWDR in Minnesota in the same weekend to race.
Shawn's cars have mostly run with wider part in horizontal fashion. A slight turn on the rears usually did the trick and the car went faster.
Speed axles usually run right away with little turning. Speed axles are not allowed in Shawn's district so we cannot run them.
Thanks!
Murph

[*5 J's*]

We cannot run speed axles in our district either. We must run the BSA axles. Some recommend running the wide section vertically some horizontally. To me horizontally makes more sense. Unfortunately this will place the bore brearing surface right on the location the crimps on the axle were located - which isn't ideal.

I plan on making a test car and see if I get enough resolution to note a difference in orientation.