Tool for K-House Groove

[GravityX]

In lieu of the more expensive files for this tool I use this Buck Bros. Jr. Hacksaw from Home Depot. Blade fits between the posts with no issue and it's less than $5. A pack of extra blades are less than $3

 

[Papa V Racing]

Yes QuickTime has a great tuning table... Now that the work benches are in place I have some wood here not being used.. I can start tuning table project soon...

Thanks for all the help and I will be asking those important questions.. No worry there.. I have had many racers take time to talk with me and it is greatly apreciated.... You are all a class group and I am glad I stayed around....

V

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

Now that is a good idea!

I also have the brownels tool but just started using it. I use the small mini hacksaw blades to make the slot and it woks great, I use them by hand. I slotted my rear axles the other night and it worked well, as I usually do I push my rear axles in to far, so by appyling a little pressure so the wheel and turning the axle with a small screwdriver it comes out very easily. No more warping or breaking a wheel

 

[GravityX]

I have one of the Brownell screw slot fixtures and was always in fear of damaging the axle surface with the clamping screw, until I came across an idea. My idea came about when I saw some tubing I had on my bench, 1/8" ID brass tubing. Perfect ID for an axle to fit into. In the pictures below you can see what I did. Brass tubing can remain clamped into the tool. No more fear of scratching my axles when cutting the K-House groove.

EDIT: In the event you already have a bent axle you should be still able to use this idea. Because the ID of the tubing is approximately the same diameter of the wheel bore a bent axle may slide right in, provided the bend is not too much. Use your discretion.

Picked it up at Hobby Lobby

Tubing fitted into the fixture

Axle being fitted into the fixture

Axle seated into tubing

Finished product!

 

[Owens Racing]

Thanks for reminding about this X. I was worried about the same thing and was able to find a thumbscrew at McMaster that has a nylon tip to replace the supplied SHCS.

 

[Skippy Kicky]

I was able to get one of these fixtures, but I have been trying to find a 0.6 file and have not had any luck. Do y'all know where I can find one? I was looking on McMaster and was able to find bendable files (Cut No.2). I'm thinking of trying on of those if I can't find the .6.
I've tried the saw blades, but I want to get a cleaner cut. Thanks guys.

Edit:

I dug a little deeper and found a #6. I am thinking that must be it.

 

[birddog]

Skippy-

Can you let me know where you found your 0.6 file? I'm looking for one that will work well with the brownells fixture.

thanks,

birddog

 

[Papa V Racing]

Hey birddog-

Have not seen ya around for awhile Hope all is well....

V/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif

 

[birddog]

Papa V-

All is good. Had a week off for Spring Break and my son had his district PWD race last Saturday. He took 2nd place to the 2 time reigning champ. We have our sights set on first place next year!

I'm tired of using the goofy pliers to twist my DFW axle for tuning purposes and now want to get a good setup for cutting k-grooves on future cars.

We are building 4 cars (3 for my kids and 1 for me) for the mid america race.

Once that is done, I may consider building a car for the Fall in NPWDRL!

birddog

 

[Guest]

I just got mine in the mail today

I tried it out as soon as I got home. I made the tweak with the 1/8 copper tube and used a small hand saw like what they use for RC planes the groove was perfect. Love this new tool. I now got a crude load of tools and still haven't broke sub 3 yet. But I will get there sooner or later, I love new tools

The best are the ones that I can hide from my wife.

 

[Skippy Kicky]

Skippy-

Can you let me know where you found your 0.6 file? I'm looking for one that will work well with the brownells fixture.

thanks,

birddog

I received the #6 file I ordered yesterday and learned the hard way that is not a 0.6. As soon as I find where to purchase a 0.6 I'll post it.

 

[OLD BLUE RACER]

This is a nice find looks like a new toy for this summer to get my fleet of cars up to speeds

 

[Owens Racing]

I would try to go the hobby saw route. The only place I've ever found the slotting files is Brownells and Midway, and they are not cheap. They're pretty much a necessity for gun screws, but IMO overkill for this.

 

[Guest]

I would try to go the hobby saw route. The only place I've ever found the slotting files is Brownells and Midway, and they are not cheap. They're pretty much a necessity for gun screws, but IMO overkill for this.

I agree with Jimmy (expensive overkill) I took a hacksaw blade and belt sanded the "set" off the teeth off. Belt sand it to what ever size (thickness) you like............use a blade with fine teeth and you will be good to go. I put the axle in the vise between two blocks of wood with the head resting on the wood. Eyeball it up carefully and start slow till the groove starts to get established. With a little practice you will have perfect grooves. /images/boards/smilies/cool.gif

 

[khouse]

I agree as well. The files are too pricey to buy. But somehow over the years of messing around I had two in my possession. I don't know where they came from? I was using a cut off too in my Rotary hand piece with success. The saw with the set sanded off will work as good or better.

 

[birddog]

I got the tool in the mail on Friday and decided to try the hack saw technique. I noticed my blade didn't quite fit, so I trimmed back the set back on the teeth of the blade by rubbing it on a sharpening stone. That did the trick. The blade now fits between the posts perfectly and cuts a very nice slot in the nail. No need to purchase a file, this process works great.

birddog

 

[Dana Summers]

Can someone tell me the OD of the 4 rollers and their length?