Polishing a Pinewood Derby Axle

Train your cub scout how to polish his axles. Start with a file to remove the pinch marks, then wet sand with 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 (not 4000), then a leather shoe string. We should have started with 400, 600, then moved to 800....2000. My boys did very well with this method. As they got older they put in less effort and subsequently didn't do as well, but still had fun. If you want to go to 12000 grit, Google a product called Micro Mesh. Good Luck.

[@hunterusa4039]

This helped us a lot on our first derby 🚗

[@Watthead80]

One thing I dont understand about the rules for PWD, each pack may be different. But the rules say you can sand the axles ,but you can polish them. I find that contradictory. But I will give this a try. This is our second year for the derby and hoping for a win.

[@Ssheldon618]

Anything that can be used instead of leather?

[@JFlyer1973]

+Ssheldon618 try a piece of rag (tuff cloth but t-shirt would work) and rubbing compound. Heavy grit then switch to finer. But not totally certain. I am basing this on my knowledge of what strenuous polishing does to metal. Ultra smooth finish means less friction build up as wheel rolls on the axle. Less friction, easier roll, speed takes longer to bleed off.

[@medhamaheshwari]

What are you using to spin it

[@georgeroach1889]

Drill press. 1800 RPM

[@hectordeanda9133]

What RPM is that drill spinning at?

[@georgeroach1889]

1800 RPM

[@AemVR]

Mark rober

[@Reyeyawn]

Mark Rober

[@scottking7124]

Why the leather after all the sanding?

[@JFlyer1973]

+Scott King just a guess here but for final polish. see my other reply too below.

[@georgeroach1889]

Final polish, like a strop for a straight razor.