metal axles

[Greg Cullinan]

I come across this often when changing wheels and not wanting to use wheel backs that the axles are too short.

Do you know where to buy either online or elsewhere and which gauge would they be?

I tried Micheals and Home Depot to no avail.

Edited June 15, 2010 by ponyxpress

[crazyjim]

No need for metal when you can go plastic. Evergreen makes a styrene rod almost the same size as the old metal axles and they come about 12" long so you can easily cut them to the length you need. Bing. Bang. Done.

[Harry P.]

K&S brass rod from any hobby shop, or available from dozens of online sources, comes in various diameters.

[Greg Cullinan]

Thanks, Evergreen with a little brass on the side it is.

Keep my options open

Two simple solutions.Why didn't I think of that!

[crazyjim]

Okay Greg. I'll play the game. Why didn't you think of that? Why would anyone use the brass and Evergreen? Either one would work but the Evergreen might be less expensive.

[Greg Cullinan]

I was just saying I will order both to have on hand and try to see which I perfer.

And I was serious that I don't know why I didn't think of those products since I've heard of them and looked into them for other areas of building.

I'm a little obsessive when it comes to tools and material even though I don't have the skills to put them to use yet.

Okay Greg. I'll play the game. Why didn't you think of that? Why would anyone use the brass and Evergreen? Either one would work but the Evergreen might be less expensive.

[crazyjim]

Evergreen is easier to cut - saw, snips, nail clippers.

[Harry P.]

Evergreen is easier to cut - saw, snips, nail clippers.

All you need to cut brass rod is a plain old wirecutter pliers. Most people have one in their toolbox already.

Hobby Lobby sells packages of K&S brass rod, 5 pieces per pack, each piece is about a foot long, for less than 3 bucks a pack.

[Chuck Most]

I'm not a huge fan of plastic axles- I routinely replace them with metal units. I've got quite a few of he old AMT metal axles in my stash, and I've used the K&S brass as a substitute as well. The plastic axles used in some kits are pretty good scratchbuilding supplies- you can use them as floor shifter stalks, EFI fuel rails, body character lines, and all sorts of other stuff!

[Guest Gramps-xrds]

Go to your local welding supplier or auto body store and buy a few 1/16th oxy/acetylene rods. Their the same size as the AMT axles and their cheap. You can cut them to any length you need. If you get the TIG rods, you can get them in stainless steel. Been using them for yrs.

[Longbox55]

Go to your local welding supplier or auto body store and buy a few 1/16th oxy/acetylene rods. Their the same size as the AMT axles and their cheap. You can cut them to any length you need. If you get the TIG rods, you can get them in stainless steel. Been using them for yrs.

Me too.