BSA axle crimp...file off or just sand them?

[Derby addict]

So I searched and could not find a thread to answer my question. The question is about crimp marks on the shaft of a BSA axle. Our rules state that we must use the axles from the kit. So my question is do I file off the crimps and then polish our axles or just polish over the crimp marks and make them smoothed bumps. The thought with not filing would be to keep the axle as large a diameter as possible. Thoughs?

 

[Charles Studer]

Dunno...I like to go for size.....

 

[flockshot]

I use a 1/4 inch square India Stone. I think that a file takes too much off (leaving deeper scratches), and I would be concerned that sanding would not be as round. Just my thoughts.

 

[Darkside]

What I've found from machining the BSA axles is that the raised part of the crimp marks is close to the diameter of the rest of the axle. So essentially they are not raised but rather the lower part of the crimp marks are recessed. So filing off the raised part will actually make the diameter of the outer part of the axle smaller than the inner part of the axle....

Which is all a very long winded way of saying just leave them be and polish them.

Remove the flashing between the head and the axle though. That does have to go... I was assuming you already knew that, but just want to make sure.

 

[Derby addict]

Yeah, I remove the flashing. Thanks for your feedback!