Fixing bent axles?

[kbean63]

Has anyone figured out a way to fix models with bent axles? Or are they best left alone? I fear doing more damage.

I think I'll post the same question on the SF forum since SF axles are a different animal.

-Kevin

[kwakers]

The idea is to have the bow of the bend facing towards the base, and then use the base to pry it back up and straight with a flat screw driver. You need to protect the base paint with a thin strip of cardboard or plastic so you do not chip it. Naturally, the wider the screwdriver used to straighten it, the more the force will be spread out to avoid base damage also. You will want to secure the model in a vice with it's jaws padded. The lesney regular wheels are tough enough where you cannot straighten the axles without holding the body tight. Do your work slowly and carefully so as not to bend them too far in the opposite direction once they are straight.
The Superfast axles are so light, they straighten very easily with a small amount of pressure. Take care and experiment a bit to see what methods and tools work best for you kbean63. Doris says hello.....LOL Please check 'damnyouautocorrect.com' to see what others have sent because of their typing 'skills'......kwakers

[kbean63]

Thanks, man.

The car that's giving me the most trouble is a #34 formula one racer. Because it's open-wheeled there's really nothing to pry against. Whenever I try to bend the axle by tugging on the wheel the axle just rotates around without bending. That one car has been giving me fits for years.

As a result of all the troubles with auto-correct I'm trying out Swype. So far I like it a lot but you have to keep a close eye on it too.

[nickjones]

You can try to straighten the axle by pushing the axle towards the wheel without the bend while holding the non bent wheel in towards the body, there can often be enough axle protruding from the wheel to grip it with a pair of pliers and stop the axle from rotating when you try and straighten the wheel. straightening the wheel will be just a matter of bending it into the correct position with your fingers. Don't try this on Corgi Rockets / Juniors as the axles will more than likely break.

[kwakers]

That sounds like a Great way to try this tough one Nick. Short of that, the heaviest pair of needlenose pliers may get some of the bend out for you, but probably not without a LOT of force on them. Nick, Please check for my P.M. to you today. Thanks! kwakers

[nickjones]

Got your pm dick, I was writing my ebay auction descriptions and I missed the coach by 3 minutes....weep
Did you see my reply.

[kbean63]

I'll give the needlenose pliers a try. I'm glad that they always made the axles a bit longer than necessary to make this possible. I'm thinking that two pairs of pliers might do the trick - one to grip the axle right where the bend occurs and the other to grip the end of the axle and do the actual bending. A miniature pair of surgical forceps would be perfect. Maybe I should invent that.