Gluing axles/setting the endplay
As I was working on my last minute, Vlad the Impala, for the Middleweight race, I came up with a helpful little idea...this...
So, my idea was a piece of hot wheels blister backing with a slot in it? Big deal, right? Well, it kinda is, because you can do this...
If you slide the slot down over the axle before you glue the axle to the chassis, you will center your axle and your wheel endplay will be equal on both sides.
Now, you'll want to dab some JB Weld (or JB Quick) over your axle and sit the car on an alignment jig like this...
That jig is an early one that I made (I still make them...if I am returning your cars from a race, I try to throw one in with them!). But, anything with parallel grooves in it will hold the axles parallel...and you want that!
The fastest cars are the ones that run dead straight and don't 'wiggle' at all. Getting your wheel spacing set right should limit the 'wiggle' and using a jig is a good way to get the cars running straight.
I hope this helps! And I hope I don't delete this post again!
Discussion
Is there a reason that I can't see my initial post, Brian?
And the last thing heard was... "Hey, what does this button do??"...
Then...
*POOF*
- hey, he was a good posting, we're gonna miss that post ! — model40fan
- It was pretty cool. Pictures and everything. — HappyCamper
- ( I was lucky enough to see it before it proofed away. I was kidding. I knew he'd rewrite it) — CrzyTrkrDude
Okay, I re-wrote the initial post...I hope it helps!
Getting your wheel endplay set right is a big help in getting these cars quickly down the track! (well, that, and getting your axles parallel! )
- thank you for the tip!! I've been racking my brain trying to come up with an easy jig build, but I think you nailed it!! — CrzyTrkrDude
- it seems to work okay...I'll send you one after the Rookie Race — 72_Chevy_C10
This simple idea has a second benefit as well... Keeps the JB from oozeing out to the wheels.
Good tip, used that technique before but combined with your jig it otta be awesome.
A good tip in general is to just keep your blister cards, lots of ways to put the to use.