Pinewood Derby Axle Press Instructions

Most axles are NAILS! They are not straight and more than likely never will be unless they are corrected.

The Pro-Axle Press Pinewood Derby Tool is designed to straighten and round the nail axles used in many pinewood derby car kits. Accurate axles lead to faster racing!

The Pro-Axle Press will improve the speed of your pinewood derby car by performing three critical procedures on nail type axles:

1. Axle Straightening - Ensures accurate wheel tracking by creating absolutely straight axles. Improved wheel tracking equals greater speed!
2. Axle Rounding - Ensures accurate wheel rotation by creating absolutely round axle shafts. Improved wheel rotation equals greater speed!
3. Head Squaring - Reduces friction by accurately squaring the axle head to the axle shaft.

An added bonus:

When it is necessary to purposely bend an axle (to raise a front wheel or make an alignment adjustment), the Pro-Axle Press serves as a handy clamping device for holding the axle while making the bend.

Insert an axle into the chuck of a drill. Use a file to remove the burr under the nail head and any crimp marks on the axle shaft.

With a marking pen, make a mark on the edge of the axle head.

Fully insert the axle - point first - into the Axle Press. Rotate the axle head such that the mark is located at the top (12 o'clock). Close the press. Place the Axle Press on a solid surface. Hold it in place and strike the top of the press 4 to 6 times with a hammer. Don't strike too hard - medium strikes are fine.

Open the press and rotate the mark to the 4 o'clock position. Repeat the above step. Rotate the mark to the 8 o'clock position and repeat.

Lay the press on its back (axle head upward) and strike the axle head 2 to 4 times. This ensures that the axle head is square to the axle shaft. Polish the axle to the desired finish.

Pinewood Derby Racer's tip: To accurately bend an axle for alignment or for a raised wheel, insert the axle into the Axle Press with the head extended 3/8 inch from the tool. Place the Axle Press in a clamp or vise. Gently tap the axle with a hammer until the desired bend is achieved.

The Pro Axle Press reduces friction! By creating a straight axle in an accurate hole on the body, the wheel will work in the most efficient manner.