KringlesBricks Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) I tried searching and my searching skills didn't work too well. Has anyone made the Lego train axle from metal rods? I need about 20 of them, and do not really want to spend $2 -$3 bucks per axle where I can find an alternative. Considering most of the axles are out of the USA via Bricklink and not available on Shop at Home Pick-a-Brick Think these could work...? Has anyone made their own? I'm in the hunting/search mode. http://www.advantage...nVCkaAhIH8P8HAQ I have the wheels and the holders; but no axles :( Edited March 31, 2015 by KringlesBricks Quote
Phoxtane Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 If you already have a wheelset assembled - that is, the base, axle, and wheels all together - you could measure the diameter of the axles with some calipers, or take it to a hardware store to see if they have something that matches. Quote
Commander Wolf Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Myself and jtlan considered making them at one point, but nothing ever came of it. I'd think you'd want to use a stiffer material than aluminum though. I do agree that the $2 they were charging at pick a brick is pretty absurd. Quote
Dan-147 Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 K&S Engineering stock No. 8168, 0,081" x 12" brass rod. Cut to 40mm length (1,575"). One 12" piece gives 7 axles. Not bad for 2-3$. Plus it's a snug fit on the LEGO wheels so no glue is necessary for American style bogies. If you need a looser fit for LEGO wheel bricks (as with LEGO's axle) K&S Engineering stock No. 8169, 0,072" x 12" brass rod would be better. Dan-147 Quote
dr_spock Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 K&S Engineering stock No. 8168, 0,081" x 12" brass rod. Cut to 40mm length (1,575"). One 12" piece gives 7 axles. Not bad for 2-3$. Plus it's a snug fit on the LEGO wheels so no glue is necessary for American style bogies. If you need a looser fit for LEGO wheel bricks (as with LEGO's axle) K&S Engineering stock No. 8169, 0,072" x 12" brass rod would be better. Dan-147 Thanks. I ordered a whole bunch of wheels and holders but no axles. I was going to look into making them when they arrive. Quote
hallidaynick Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 I had the same problem a few years ago, i went to my local hardware store and found the perfect nails that worked so well, i cut off the pointy end and the fat end cleaned it up and it works great, unless you really look you cant even tell the difference, Quote
Breakdown Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 The price of train wheels is literally going to bankrupt me, these things are of the crappiest quality, the wheels themselves look like garbage and they are expensive as hell. I just bought a lot of crap on E-bay because it included 4 wheel sets. I really wish that lego wouldn't lynch us on these. Price of adding a car to your train in Canadian dollars (this is just for the wheels no bogie plate, no magnet couplers): $2.22 X 4 (Axels - not currently available): $8.88 $1.55 X 4 (Bearing element): $6.20 $0.28 X 8 (wheels): $2.24 ================================== $17.32 For these prices its tempting just to tear into a new train and have all sorts of leftover parts (which is probably the intention). Quote
legoman666 Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 I have a couple fistfulls of the bearing element I'm willing to part with. I'll trade them for the axles and wheels or couplers. I use the axles and wheels to make my own sets, so I'm left with the holder piece. I've got maybe... 40? Quote
PasDeChocolat Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) +1 Breakdown, For these prices its tempting just to tear into a new train and have all sorts of leftover parts (which is probably the intention). I'm solving parts problems that way: buy complete trains. You just wait for some good deals . Like for the sales after christmas for example. I got Red cargo for 82 euros that way . Edited March 31, 2015 by PasDeChocolat Quote
Breakdown Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 http://www.ebay.com/itm/121592603667?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Figured it was a good deal, best price I've seen on two complete or near complete bogies, magnets and wheels is $9.99, plus I got a bunch of crap along with it for free is how I see it. Quote
coaster Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Ø2mm, precision ground tool steel, 3' length for $2.49: http://www.mcmaster....8625k61 Cut to length, deburr, train on. Quote
KringlesBricks Posted April 1, 2015 Author Posted April 1, 2015 Thanks for all the great suggestions and the specific dimensions! I didn't know everyone else is looking for alternatives as well. It sucks Lego isn't having them available to us; and when they do, they charge an outrages price for them. It's cool seeing others are looking at cheaper alternatives as well. Thank you Dan-147's and Coaster for the links!! That helps a lot! I have about 12 sets of wheels and I think 10-12 wheel holders. Need to get more rolling stock "rolling" behind that Crocodile. The nail thing is a cool idea...I would have never thought of that! That may work, too. Quote
dr_spock Posted April 1, 2015 Posted April 1, 2015 I'm solving parts problems that way: buy complete trains. You just wait for some good deals . Like for the sales after christmas for example. I got Red cargo for 82 euros that way . Lone Ranger Constitution Train was good for that when they were being liquidating. No motor but good for bogies, magnetic couplers, drivers, cow plow and real curve tracks. Hollywood needs more trains in movies that flop in theaters. Quote
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