Axle trouble

[Reggie]

I was wondering if anyone has had trouble with bending bsa stock axles. I recently purchased 6 sets of official bsa wheels and axles from the online scout store. While trying to bend the axle for the DFW four of them broke. I normally cut a groove for bending. I've used a small jewelers file, I've tried a cut off wheel on my dremel. I tried a very lite groove. It doesn't seem to make a difference. I get to about 2 degrees and snap. I can bend them without the groove but it's not as sharp as i like.

 

[TRE]

Don' cut a groove

 

[Durham68]

I've broken a few but always chalked it up to the groove being cut too deep. I just stopped cutting them.

 

[Vitamin K]

Don' cut a groove

Yeah, BSA axles are thin and soft enough that the groove is unnecessary.

 

[Reggie]

It must be what they're made of. I groove Revell axles all the time and have no problems bending them. I bought a different jig for drilling axle holes but it uses a #43 drill bushing. Revell axles are too small. I guess no more grooves.



Thanks guys!

 

[Ember]

You can also try putting a small groove in just the inside area of the bend, instead of all the way around the axle. Similar to notching a tree you're going to cut down.

 

[Reggie]

You can also try putting a small groove in just the inside area of the bend, instead of all the way around the axle. Similar to notching a tree you're going to cut down.

I'll try that on a couple. Thank you.