If you have built even one pine derby car, then you know that removing axles without damaging something can be quite a chore. Oftentimes, considerable force is required. If the force is applied to the wheel, then the wheel can be damaged, especially with the expensive high-performance wheels in common use today. If a pair of pliers is used1, the axle can be chewed up. In either case, the car itself may be damaged as well.
But now, Maximum Velocity's Axle Extractor2 will help you remove axles with minimal risk of damage. A custom tool made specifically for pulling axles, the Axle Extractor provides strong but even gripping power on the axle head, minimizing damage to the axle, and giving maximum leverage to the user. Just slip the tool onto the axle head, tighten the nut, and then gently remove the axle with a twist-and-pull motion.
Usage
The Axle Extractor is designed for use on nail and pin-type axles offered by BSA, PineCar, RA's, and Awana. It is not intended for use on screw-type axles (Royal Ranger/S&W) or on solid rod axles (PineCar).
To use the Axle Extractor follow the instructions below and please read the section at the end entitled "Important Notes". Click on any of the small pictures to view a larger picture.
1Also, pliers will not work with some wheel types such as those offered by Awana and PineCar. 2Patent Pending
Gently twist and pull on the tool until the axle is removed.
Loosen the nut to release the axle.
Important Notes
When extracting tight axles, the axles may be bent. Use care to pull the axles straight out of the block; avoid pulling at an angle.
When tightening the Axle Extractor nut, make sure to turn the nut, not the body of the tool. If the body of the tool is turned, the axle head may be scarred
Use of the Axle Extractor may scratch the outer edge of the axle head. Since most axle heads are tapered, this scarring will not affect the performance of the axle.
On axles with smaller diameter heads, a 3/4 inch wrench may be needed to completely tighten the tool onto the axle head.
The Axle Extractor can remove axles that are glued in place with white or yellow glue. However, if axles are glued into the car with epoxy (or similar), the epoxy must be softened or removed before extracting the axle.
Do not tighten the nut without an axle in place. This may result in reducing the size of the opening in the tool. If the opening in the tool is reduced:
Remove the nut.
Insert a sharpened wooden pencil into the opening, gently spreading out the jaws of the tool.
