Page 2 of 2
Using #17 sewing pins as axles
WidowmakerRun 5/26/20
# 17 pins are 0.026 in and #20 are 0.030 in which are exactly the same as stock Hot Wheels axles. I am going to try some #20 pins and the 1/16 brass tubes from K&S next week.
LF_Ent_Racing 9/2/20
how do you flatten out the pointed end? Thanks in advance
ArmoganWX 3/3/21
Why not use #20 pins? Theyre .8mm
- Correct. #20 pins are .8mm, which is the same size as a Hot Wheels axle. A #17 allows a little more wiggle room on the wheel - still good, but sometimes you want extra wiggle room for various tracks. — SpyDude
- Many of the fastest vintage Hot Wheels have a narrower axle. The GHO wheels on the Frontrunnin' Fairmont (a classic top-performing car), are narrower than today's mainline axles, and more akin to the #17. — GenX_VintageRacing
- And if you get a box each of #17 and #20 pins, you won’t ever have to worry about axles ever again. — SpyDude
mattfathead 3/5/21
I've got .020 music wire from hobby lobby. it's the same diameter as the old redlines. I'm currently experimenting with it.
- Nice! Report back what you find out! — GenX_VintageRacing
- Going full-on old school here. That was exactly how Hot Wheels got started: music wire. — SpyDude
Log in to join the conversation or sign-up now
Brian, there is a fella on youtube; Poochefmarowbe is his channel. He has a tutorial on using bead craft crimp tubes on HW axles and also the piano wire axles. The correct size is 1.5 mm. They are a gentle press fit but can also be glued on for racing. They can be purchased at WM, Michael's, Joann's etc... They are like $1.99 for 50 pcs. I do not have any experience using them in any races here but would like to fiddle with it at some point.