Bulk metal axle material

[junkyardjeff]

All the metal axles I have are too short so where can I get it in bulk to cut to fit.

[Jon Haigwood]

I buy mine at the Hardware store

[chunkypeanutbutter]

Old bicycle wheels at the dump. Spokes are usually the perfect size.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Most of the older model cars use 1/16" (.0625" / 1.5875mm) diameter steel. 1/16" welding rod works beautifully (for gas or TIG, copper-coated)

1/16" brass rod from the hardware or hobby shop works equally well.

1/16" plastic rod also works if you're not going to play with it...vroom vroom. 

Many newer kits use .09" / 2.3mm metal rod, which can be harder to find.

Edited February 15, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[Mike_G]

I'd go for the brass rod for ease of cutting

[Snake45]

I use steel rod from the K&S display at the hobby shop. A few bucks buys a lifetime supply. You have to cut it with a Dremel or hacksaw, however.

[MrBuick]

Unless you really just want metal, I've had really good luck (the one time I've had to use it) using a kebab stick and sanding/cutting it down to size. I used it because I had it in the kitchen and didn't want to go to the store hunting for a solution, and it's worked great. It's plenty strong enough, and since I made it fit with very little play in the axle housing, I'm not worried about it warping over time. 

[talon63]

For a couple of bucks I picked up a bundle of marking flags, like the ones used by surveyors, utilities, etc., at one of the big box hardware chains. They are just slightly larger than the ones that come in kits now, so they fit really snug. Also, the little plastic flags get repurposed into other useful items. I cut them to length with a dremel cutoff wheel for clean ends. I've also made spindles when modifying a kit to eliminate a full axle across the front end.

Edited February 16, 2016 by talon63