Which axle bending jig to use?

[RBE17]

Our district does not allow us to drill axle holes. We are bound to use the pre-cut slots. Therefore, I have to bend the axles. This past year I used the derbyworx press and let my son hammer the axles to ~1.5* - 2.5*. I'd like to buy a jig and was wondering about suggestions and opinions. I've seen the DD4H, but don't see it on his site. I've also seen the Evolution (Goatboy?) one.

This past year we bent the rears and one of the front wheels. The rear was loose and we scrubbed a lot of speed on some runs. Going forward I'm torn between running straight or just bending the DFW.

Thanks,

Steve.

 

[txchemist]

I would say it a different way- District will disqualify a car with obvious axle holes not in a slot.
Drill hole canted the way you want.
cut slot to meet hole

or
cut off bottom 1/16 of car
drill hole just below what is left of slot
use hand saw to extend slot into hole

You put a hole in the slot when you drive the axle in anyway- might as well put the hole where it does some good

Way better than bending axles

 

[RBE17]

Thanks. That validates the initial thoughts I had regarding this. I'm really not sure I want to do that as I'm not sure I can defend it to our district judges. I did not stick around for the post race inspection of the winning cars, but there was a lot of pre-race scrutiny regarding wheels and axles this year. If it were only me racing I'd do it, but I'm on the fence regarding doing this w/ my son's cars.

Either way, we might just end up building a straight running car as the district track seemed pretty beat. The seams weren't the smoothest and I saw dents and crooked guide rails.