1. Make sure the axle enters the wheel hole easily,
If not, file the sharp edges on the chisel point. If you force the axle into
the wheel hole, it may score the inner hub. This is not desirable.
2. Mount the axle in a 1/4 inch drill motor or a
Dremel tool. Spin.
3. The Scout axles have a small mold separation burr
on the inside of the head. This must be filed down for maximum speed. Apply a
small file to the burr to remove it. Slant the file to slightly bevel the
surface - like my Speed axles.
4. Cut the wet/dry sandpaper into narrower strips,
hold in a loop and dip in a glass of water to slightly wet the paper and get a
little water in the bottom of the loop. Apply to the spinning axle about 15
seconds. Inspect your work. Is the axle perfectly smooth? If not, repeat the
wet/dry sanding.
5. Cut the crocus cloth into a narrow strip, hold in
a loop and apply to the spinning axle as long as you like - until you can see
no further improvement. No water is used with crocus cloth.
Polishing
6. Mix a small amount of the pumice powder with
water to make a paste about the consistency of oatmeal. A small pill bottle
makes a good conntainer. Place a small amount of the paste center of a strip of
soft cloth (old tee shirt, flannel nightgown, etc), hold in a loop and apply as
long as you like - until you can see no further improvement. If you have access
to a buffing wheel, buffing with jeweler's rouge can be substituted for the
pumice paste.
7. Jeweler's rouge is a polishing compound that is
applied with a buffing wheel. It is usually sold with several other polishing
compounds in a small box. I believe Sears carries it. Probably the best way to
polish axles with jeweler's rouge is to spin the axle in a drill motor and
apply the spinning buffing wheel to the axle. Double action! Polish to a mirror
finish. |
