Where do I get it? How does it work is it just cut to length or something else? What size do I need? Heard this is a good alternative for axles much harder. I've heard everyone here talk about it before but can't find the post.

hi

drill rod is not really all that hard (it is metal stock in rod form that is used to make drill bits. the drill bits/drill rod are VERY hard b/c it is heat treated, but drill rod has not yet been heat treated. after heat treating drill rod is called a drill blank). but for a slot car axle, unless your in a magnet car class, drill rod is fine.

it cuts easy with a dremel and cut off disk. it is often sold in 3 foot lengths.

it comes in different sizes, i find 1/16 and wire size 52 and 53 to be the most useful sizes.

from old posts about JLTO chassis

1.



Replace the rear axle with drill rod. Drill rod is not hardened like a drill blank, so its much cheaper. you can get 36 inches of drill rod for about $1-5 plus shipping. i have found that i need to drill out the bores of the stock hubs to make sure they do not split when you mount them on a thicker axle (in fact, i found about 20% of stock JLTO hubs were already splitting on the STOCK axle, i wonder if AW hubs are better).

http://www.wthutch.com/catalog/

on page 8, note 1/16 x 36" blanks (Annealed M2 Blanks) are $5.74. thats enough for 19 or more axles.

on page 10, note the air hardening drill rod, 1/16 x 36", is only $1.32! whiles its not particulalrly hard, its plenty strong enough for a Tjet axle.

on page 11, wire size 52 x 36" rod is $1.29 wire size 52 is about 0.063, a tad bigger than 1/16. you may want to experiment with wire sizes 51 and 53, but i found wire size 51 a bit too big.

Since shipping is going be $6-8 anyway, buy several of the cheaper 36 inch rods.






2.



drill rod source
you can just google drill rod or drill blank and find lots of sources.

i have used these guys, who seem happy to deal with small orders. 3 feet of 1/16 (0.625, the size i use most often) drill rod is about $1.20, and shipping usually runs $7-8, so i usually order lots of 36 inch pieces.

other sizes i like to keep on hand are wire size 51 (0.66), 52 (0.63) and 53 (0.58).

http://www.wthutch.com/hssblanks/

you can also buy "piano wire" in 1/16 size from most hobby shops. i think the piano wire bends a bit easier than drill rod, and it is also not as polished.

Here's some common sizes for HO
These numbers relate to drill bits / drill blanks /drill stock etc.

5/64" = 0.0781"

#48 = 0.076"

#49 = 0.073"

#50 = 0.070"

#51 = 0.067"

#52 = 0.0635"

1/16" = 0.0625" (stock Tomy rear axle)

#53 = 0.0595" (stock Tyco rear axle )

#54 = 0.055"

#55 = 0.052"

3/64" = 0.0469" (makes a nice oversize front axle)

#56 = 0.0465" (alot of stock and aftermarket front axles)

#57 = 0.043"

Thanx for taking the time Rick.

Great intel and much appreciated!

Locked and loaded this for future reference.

No problem Bill,if you need more sizes or "letter" sizes let me know,and i'll cross referance them for you.
Rick