Problems installing the New 92TX axles. What bit size should I use?

[jatofau1]

I had to pull an all nighter to build three cars for districts. I ran into a problem installing the new Dynasty 92TX pro axles into the car. The axles would not fit all the way into the body of the car. In addition, the fit was so tight, it made it extremely difficult to tune the car. I used a #43 bit that I bought from John. Did I have the wrong drill bit? What drill bit should I have used?

In addition, my drill bit walks a little. Can anyone recommend drill bits that done flex and walk?

Thanks, Joe

 

[gWebber]

The web site says #43 bit.

I don't know about those axels, but on my blocks I've found if I put the axel in and out in steps instead of all at once, it works the axel hole a little at a time and makes for a snug but not too tight fit.

Trying to shove any Axel in all in one shot I think would end up too tight.

Hope this helps.

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

You have to use an axle to plunge into the holes until they fit smooth and firm. Good thing is you can't ruin the head!

Did you buy a carbide bit? Why do you think it is walking?

 

[jatofau1]

Hi John,

The bit was not a carbide bit. I will order a carbide bit.

I had to hammer in the axles. The axles would not go all the way in. I thought my holes were not deep enough so I used a pin vise to insure the depth was good. But still the axles would not go all the way in. I was using a sugar pine block and man it was painful to try to push the axles in. It seems like the axles would go in up to the part of the axles that steps up to .092.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,

 

[Quicktimederby]

Not all 43 bits are the same, you can buy 6 of the brand 43's and they will be different sizes. The SS axles will usually always require more effort.

 

[5KidsRacing]

You have to size each hole by using a spare axle held with vise grips and plunging in and out of the hole (like DD4h mentioned)…. Every axle has a tolerance and is slightly different sized so you have to hand ”ream” the holes to get them so you axles are snug, but no loose enough to fall out. You should never have to use a hammer and pound in axles… grooved axles can bend.

I use a spare axle in vice grips that I have roughed up a little with sandpaper to make is a little reamer..

 

[txchemist]

Decimal	Wire#	Metric
0.0890	43
0.0906		2.3
0.0935	42

I use the 2.3 MM metric drill. Snug for many pulls. If it starts to get loose, a bit of water and sung again. Still might need a little hand pin vice, but way less than #43

 

[TRE]

I use 2.3 too

 

[ngyoung]

It can take some practice getting the holes just loose enough to be able to install and remove the axles without damaging the wheel and also snug enough so when you do tune it that the setting won't move very easily if it has a rough stop. For my son's cars we add a glue hole on the bottom for the DFW to add a drop of super glue. I know the track that they run on is going to likely have bad joints in some of the lanes.

One of their cars this year I left it too loose, I kept messing up the wheel gap trying to tune the axle because of the pressure required on the screw driver to stay in the slot to turn it without slipping. I ended up adding a little water to the hole. I also have to finally get a jig to saw the slots in cleaner instead of the file I have been using.

Another trick that sometimes helps if to add just tiny air holes on the bottom of the car. The air pressure from a really snug fit can also fight you if the wood itself isn't allowing enough to vent through the grain. You'd be surprised how much that actually makes a difference for installing and removing.

 

[jatofau1]

Thanks. I will use a spare axle to ream out the hole. I think we should warn newbies like me that a spare axle is needed to ream out the hole with a vise grip. I was afraid I was going to break the cars because it took so much strength to get the axles to go in. My fingers were in pain the next day from trying to push in the axles.

I will also test out a 2.3 bit as well.

As always thanks for the advice.

Regards,

Joe

 

[Vitamin K]

Been planning to get some 2.3mm bits myself. Need to put an order with the local Grainger...

 

[Ballistic Racing]

Well, what ever you did to those axles Joe, it worked...you were fast!!! All three cars! Now send those in, no excuses now! Lol!

 

[jatofau1]

My fingers hurt so bad from pushing in the axels that I don't think I can pull off the wheels, reprep the cars and put them in the boxes to ship!!!! How's that for an excuse?

 

[TRE]

My fingers hurt so bad from pushing in the axels that I don't think I can pull off the wheels, reprep the cars and put them in the boxes to ship!!!! How's that for an excuse?

Put your big boy pants on

 

[GravityX]

Decimal	Wire#	Metric
0.0890	43
0.0906		2.3
0.0935	42

I use the 2.3 MM metric drill. Snug for many pulls. If it starts to get loose, a bit of water and sung again. Still might need a little hand pin vice, but way less than #43

Concur!

 

[derbychip]

Will the 2.3 fit right in the bushings that the goat boy jigs come with?

 

[GravityX]

Will the 2.3 fit right in the bushings that the goat boy jigs come with?

Short answer... no!

2.3mm is .0016" larger than the #43

 

[Vitamin K]

Short answer... no!

2.3mm is .0016" larger than the #43

You can always drill with the #43 and then follow the bore with a slightly larger bit. Should still be accurate to the bore.

 

[HurriCrane Racing]

I use a .0905 chucking reamer to open the holes a little bit.

 

[jatofau1]

Reaming the hole with a spare axle worked. But the axle still naps into a hole at a certain point which still makes it hard to remove and tune. Used a credit card to keep the axle from snapping into place so I was able to tune and remove the axles.