Carlson's Slot Cars
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I sometimes need a new axle for one of my slot cars especially Fly cars. That being said I have 2 choices in obtaining a new axle, first I can purchase a 3/32 drill blank or secondly I can make a new one from 3/32 piano wire. Personally I would love to use a drill blank for all my new axle needs however I have decided to limit my usage of drill blanks to my scratch building efforts as these axles tend to be a lot more money than making my own. Usually you can find piano wire at any hobby store, it comes in 3 foot lengths and 2 at a time in a plastic tube. I pay about 2 dollars each.
The following is what I do to turn a piece of piano wire into a new polished axle.
Note: Piano wire may sometimes be ill regular in diameter and for high precision I always use the drill blank axle as these provide the best quality.

Click on thumbnail for larger image.
Parts Pictured:
Linesman Pliers.
Dremel with cutoff disk.
3/32 piano wire.
Emery cloth 320, 600, 1500 grit.
Glass.
New TSRF 3/32 axle.
Not Pictured:
Eye Safety glasses.
I use the Linesman Pliers to cut the piano wire to the length I need. Not everyone has pliers strong enough to cut the piano wire. You might have to use the Dremel cutoff disk to cut the piano wire to the length you need. Make sure to use proper eye protection when using any tools.
Here is the TSRF axle along with the freshly cut piano wire. Next is to chuck the newly cut axle into the Dremel and quickly pass the emery cloth over it. This is a 2 pass effort as one end is done we must remove the axle from the Dremel and turn it around and polish the other end.
Here we have the finished piano wire axle along with the TSRF axle. The piano axle is the vertical one. The emery cloth is passed over the axle, starting with the 320 grit. Use it until all black coating is removed. Then use the 600 grit to polish the axle. Some may stop at this point but I like to use another pass of 1500 grit it really makes the new axle shine.
Same as above except the piano wire axle is below the TSRF axle. Total time to make the axle 3 minutes. Use the glass picture to see if your new axle is straight by rolling the axle along the glass. There should be little sound as the axle rolls down the glass. While doing this carefully inspect the new axle for any wobble.