MAXIMUM VELOCITY!  ®

Pro-Rail Rider Tool




Patent Pending

In pine derby racing, winners and also-rans are often separated by fractions of an inch. Although many factors affect car performance, precision alignment is a key to reaching the winner's circle.

Setting the alignment of a car has always been a tricky process. If a bent front axle is used to make the adjustment, getting a precise bend in the axle has literally been a "hit or miss" process.

But now this has all changed. Introducing the Pro-Rail Rider Tool, which works with the Pro-Axle Press II to put precise bends in axles for alignment adjustment and/or for running with angled axles. When coupled with the Rail-Rider™ alignment technique, significant performance improvements can be achieved.

The Pro-Rai Rider tool:
  1. Assists in Alignment Adjustment - The tool will make a precise bend in a front axle for adjusting the alignment of the car.

  2. Supports Two Angles - Either a 1.5 and 2.5 degree bend can be made in an axle.

  3. Implements Angled Axles - If angled (canted) axles are desired, the tool will precisely bend the axles for running on the inside edge of the wheels.
Notes:

  1. A Pro-Axle Press II (Part 5130) is required to use the Pro-Rail Rider Tool.


  2. The Pro-Rail Rider Tool is intended for axles measuring approximently 0.087, which include BSA axles, and MV Speed Axles. The tool will work on larger axles, such as those offered by Awana and PineCar, however the angle will be slightly less than 1.5 or 2.5 degrees.

Pro-Rail Rider Usage Instructions


Mark Axle Head 		Prepare Axles and Slots/Holes

  1. For best results, prepare the axle slots (or drill axle holes) with a Pro Body Tool.


  2. Prepare the axles by removing the burrs and crimp marks, and optionally beveling the head. Then polish the axles.


  3. Place a location dot on one side of each axle head with a marker. If bending both front and back axles, use one color of marker for the front axles, and a different color for the rear axles.

Insert Axle


Apply Pro-Rail Rider Tool 		Set Up Tool
  1. Install an axle into the Pro Axle Press, with the axle head extended out about 1/2 inch.


  2. Rotate the axle so that the dot on the head is located at the 6:00 (down) position.


  3. Slide the Pro Rail Rider Tool over the top of the axle press. Locate the axle shaft in the groove of the Pro Rail Raider Tool. Use the 2.5 side of the tool for rear axles, and the 1.5 side for front axles.


  4. Press the axle head against the Pro Rail Rider Tool; make sure the dot is still at the 6:00 position.

Bend Axle 		Bend Axle

  1. With the assembly on a solid surface (concrete floor is best), hold the axle head against the tool with your thumb, and place your index finger on the opposite end of the tool.


  2. Squeeze firmly and with a hammer, tap the top of the tool lightly two to three times. This will accurately bend the axle the indicated 1.5 deg or 2.5 degrees.


  3. Repeat for all axles, using the correct angle for each axle














Rotate Axle 		Aligning the Car

  1. After lubricating, install the wheels and axles with the location dots at the 12:00 position.


  2. Check Rear Wheels - On a clean, level surface (6 feet long is best), roll the car forward and backwards one to two feet, and make sure that the rear wheels stay against the axle heads. This is an indicator of correct rear alignment. If a wheel moves towards the body, rotate the axle head slightly and retest until the wheel stays against the axle head.


  3. Locate Front Dominant Wheel - If one front wheel is off the ground, the front wheel on the ground is the dominant wheel. If both front wheels are on the ground, then press gently on each of the front wheels. If the car rocks slightly when pressing on one of the wheels, the other wheel is the dominant wheel. If the car does not rock with either wheel, both wheels are dominant.


  4. Steering the Car - The goal of Rail Riding is to gently steer the car into the guide rail with the front dominant wheel. Gently roll the car across the test area and notice which way the car drifts. Using a pair of pliers, rotate the front dominant axle slightly, then retest until the car rolls 5 to 6 feet with approximately 1 inch of drift away from the dominant wheel (if both front axles are dominant, then rotate both axles equally in opposite directions). For example, if the front-right wheel is dominant, the car should drift to the left; if the front left wheel is dominant, the car should drift to the right.


  5. Glue Axles - Once the correct drift is established, (if using axle slots) glue the axles in place with white glue.
Additional Notes

  • For best results, the test suface should be smooth, level from side-to-side, and slightly inclinded. Levelness can be verified by rolling a steel marble (or similar) down the incline. Adjust the surface with shims of wood or paper until the ball rolls straight down the board.


  • Narrowing the front of the body 1/16 inch on the side with the dominant wheel will help keep the rear wheels from touching the guide strip.
Storage

To minimize rust or corrosion, apply a coating of a light oil (3-in-1, WD40, etc.) to all surfaces of the tool, and store the tool in an air and water-tight container such as a zip lock bag.




Copyright © 2009 by Maximum Velocity, Inc.