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Awesome Axles! Totally Tubular!
W
hether you want to fit your favorite axles to a new base or swap them out for something more smooth – axle tubes are the way to go. But making sure your separated wheels stay in place and run true isn’t as easy at is seems. Don’t worry! Follow these quick tips to make your next axle tube mod a breeze. 1. Make room for the tube. Axle tubing is thicker than original axles, so make sure to open up the base to fit your modification. In “Episode 122 Replacing Axles and Wheels on Diecast Toys”, MrLEDiecast shows how to bore out the groove and then sand it smooth. 2. Cut ‘em short. In order to avoid adding friction (or, even worse, glue) to your wheels, be sure to leave a space between the end of your tube
and the edge of your base. See how Ldizzy1978 does it in “How to make axles for hot wheels wheel swaps”.
installing axle tubes. In part 2 of the series, he shows a unique technique where he grinds away a small portion of the tube so that epoxy can reach the axles while he’s adhering the tubes to the base.
3. Crimp to keep it tight. If you want your axle to stay in place, crimp down on the tube. A good pinch on the tubing should hold the wheel in on its own, but if you want to really make sure it will survive the track, be sure to add epoxy. In the video “How to build custom axles. Hot wheels and match box. Perfect wheel fitment”, Tenza Builds takes you through his whole process.
5. We have the tools, we have the technology, we can rebuild it! When placing new axles and tubes in your base, having the right tools can make all the difference. Make sure your axles are straight with a jig while the adhesive dries. Redline Derby Racing sells one that works great!
4. Let epoxy do double duty. Chris Raab has a whole series of YouTube videos about
Bonus - Watch out for wobble. With new axles on your car, you may see a bit of wobble or vibration. The general rule of thumb is “the quieter the car, the faster it is”. So, what can you do to reduce the wobble? Check out the discussion at Redline Derby.
February 5, 2021 | 9
