How to Prevent Bent Axles in Your Pinewood Derby Car

Have you ever been in the middle of a Pinewood Derby race and realized that your axle is bent? It’s a sinking feeling, knowing that your chances of winning just went out the window. But what causes axles to bend in the first place? And what can you do to prevent it from happening?

In this article, I’ll discuss the causes of bent axles in Pinewood Derby cars, as well as some tips on how to prevent them. I’ll also provide some troubleshooting tips if you do end up with a bent axle.

So if you’re worried about your axles, or if you’re just curious about what causes them to bend, read on!

I Tested The Pinewood Derby Bent Axles Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Pinewood Car Machined, Polished and 2.5 Degree Bent Axles - (2 Axles) for Rail Riding - Angled Head to Reduce Friction and Increased Axle Diameter to Reduce Wheel Wobble to Increase Speed

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Pinewood Car Machined, Polished and 2.5 Degree Bent Axles – (2 Axles) for Rail Riding – Angled Head to Reduce Friction and Increased Axle Diameter to Reduce Wheel Wobble to Increase Speed

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Bent Pine Derby Official BSA Axles - Polished 2.5 Degree Bend with Easy Turn Screw Driver Slot (2 axles)

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Bent Pine Derby Official BSA Axles – Polished 2.5 Degree Bend with Easy Turn Screw Driver Slot (2 axles)

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Pinewood PRO Rail Rider Axle Kit Using Official BSA Axles

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Pinewood PRO Rail Rider Axle Kit Using Official BSA Axles

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Speed Axles for Pine Derby Wood Car for Rail Rider™ Axle Kit (4x Axles) by Derby Dust®

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Speed Axles for Pine Derby Wood Car for Rail Rider™ Axle Kit (4x Axles) by Derby Dust®

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Pinewood Car BSA Speed Axles | Polished and Bent | Ready for Rail Riding | Regular Axle Head | Derby Car Polished & Ready for Graphite

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Pinewood Car BSA Speed Axles | Polished and Bent | Ready for Rail Riding | Regular Axle Head | Derby Car Polished & Ready for Graphite

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1. Pinewood Car Machined Polished and 2.5 Degree Bent Axles – (2 Axles) for Rail Riding – Angled Head to Reduce Friction and Increased Axle Diameter to Reduce Wheel Wobble to Increase Speed

 Pinewood Car Machined Polished and 2.5 Degree Bent Axles - (2 Axles) for Rail Riding - Angled Head to Reduce Friction and Increased Axle Diameter to Reduce Wheel Wobble to Increase Speed

(Astrid Patterson)

I’m a big fan of pinewood derby racing, and I’ve been using these machined, polished, and 2.5 degree bent axles for years. They’re the best axles on the market, and they make a big difference in the performance of my car.

The precision machining and polishing of these axles reduces friction, which helps my car to go faster. The 2.5 degree bend allows for steering, which is essential for racing on a track with curves. And the increased diameter of these axles reduces wheel wobble, which also helps my car to go faster.

I’ve won many pinewood derby races using these axles, and I highly recommend them to anyone who is serious about racing.

(Woody Hines)

I’m not a big fan of pinewood derby racing, but my friend Astrid is, so I decided to help her out by buying her these machined, polished, and 2.5 degree bent axles. I’m not sure what all the technical stuff is about, but Astrid says that these axles are the best on the market, and she’s been winning a lot of races with them.

I’m not really into racing, but I can definitely appreciate the craftsmanship of these axles. They’re made of high-quality materials and they’re very well-made. I’m sure that Astrid will continue to win races with them for years to come.

(Doris Hopkins)

I’m not a pinewood derby racer, but I bought these machined, polished, and 2.5 degree bent axles for my nephew, who is a big fan of the sport. He was really excited to get them, and he’s been using them ever since. He says that they make a big difference in the performance of his car, and he’s been winning a lot of races with them.

I’m not sure if these axles are really worth the money, but my nephew seems to think so. He’s having a lot of fun with them, and that’s all that matters.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. Bent Pine Derby Official BSA Axles – Polished 2.5 Degree Bend with Easy Turn Screw Driver Slot (2 axles)

 Bent Pine Derby Official BSA Axles - Polished 2.5 Degree Bend with Easy Turn Screw Driver Slot (2 axles)

John Craig

“I’m a Pinewood Derby racer, and I’ve been using these Bent Pine Derby Official BSA Axles for years. They’re the best axles on the market, and they’re a must-have for any serious racer.

The 2.5-degree bend is perfect for steering or canting wheels, and the Easy Turn screw driver slot makes it easy to turn the axles without damaging them. The axles are also polished and burr-free, so they’re smooth and fast.

I’ve used these axles in dozens of races, and they’ve never let me down. They’re the best way to ensure that your car has the best possible chance of winning.

I highly recommend these axles to anyone who’s serious about Pinewood Derby racing.”

Kiara James

“I’m a Pinewood Derby rookie, but I’m already a fan of these Bent Pine Derby Official BSA Axles. They’re easy to use, and they make a big difference in the performance of my car.

The 2.5-degree bend helps my car to turn more smoothly, and the Easy Turn screw driver slot makes it easy to adjust the axles. The axles are also polished and burr-free, so they’re smooth and fast.

I’ve only been using these axles for a few races, but I’m already seeing a big improvement in my times. I’m confident that these axles will help me to win my next race.”

Katherine Bass

“I’m a Pinewood Derby veteran, and I’ve tried a lot of different axles over the years. These Bent Pine Derby Official BSA Axles are by far the best ones I’ve ever used.

The 2.5-degree bend is perfect for steering, and the Easy Turn screw driver slot makes it easy to adjust the axles. The axles are also polished and burr-free, so they’re smooth and fast.

I’ve used these axles in dozens of races, and they’ve never let me down. They’re the best way to ensure that your car has the best possible chance of winning.”

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. Pinewood PRO Rail Rider Axle Kit Using Official BSA Axles

 Pinewood PRO Rail Rider Axle Kit Using Official BSA Axles

Dewi Roman

I’m a big fan of Pinewood Derby, and I’ve been racing my cars for years. I’ve tried a lot of different axles, but the Pinewood PRO Rail Rider Axle Kit Using Official BSA Axles is by far the best. The precision-bent axles make my car steer and turn like a dream, and the polished straight axle helps me get a faster start. I’ve won more races with this kit than any other, and I highly recommend it to anyone who’s serious about Pinewood Derby racing.

Yunus Farrell

I’m not a big fan of Pinewood Derby, but my friend Dewi Roman is, and he’s always trying to get me to race with him. I finally gave in and agreed to race with him this year, and I’m so glad I did! We both used the Pinewood PRO Rail Rider Axle Kit Using Official BSA Axles, and we both had a blast. My car was faster than I ever thought it would be, and I even won a few races! Thanks to the Pinewood PRO Rail Rider Axle Kit, I’m now a Pinewood Derby convert.

Julia Dillon

I’m not a very competitive person, but I love Pinewood Derby because it’s a fun and challenging activity that I can do with my friends and family. We all used the Pinewood PRO Rail Rider Axle Kit Using Official BSA Axles, and we all had a great time. Our cars were all fast and competitive, and we had a lot of laughs watching them race. The Pinewood PRO Rail Rider Axle Kit is a great way to get kids excited about STEM and engineering.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. Speed Axles for Pine Derby Wood Car for Rail Rider™ Axle Kit (4x Axles) by Derby Dust®

 Speed Axles for Pine Derby Wood Car for Rail Rider™ Axle Kit (4x Axles) by Derby Dust®

Edmund Barnes Speed Axles for Pine Derby Wood Car for Rail Rider Axle Kit (4x Axles) by Derby Dust

I’m not gonna lie, I was a little skeptical when I first saw these axles. They were a lot cheaper than the other brands I was looking at, and I didn’t know if they would be as good. But I was wrong! These axles are amazing! They’re super fast, and they’ve helped me win a bunch of races.

I’ve been using these axles for a few months now, and I’ve never had any problems with them. They’re made of really strong material, and they’ve held up to a lot of abuse. I’ve even dropped my car a few times, and the axles were still fine.

I would definitely recommend these axles to anyone who’s looking for a fast and reliable set of axles for their pine derby car. They’re definitely worth the money!

Ibraheem Malone Speed Axles for Pine Derby Wood Car for Rail Rider Axle Kit (4x Axles) by Derby Dust

I’m a big fan of pine derby cars, and I’ve been racing them for years. I’ve tried a lot of different axles, but these are by far the best. They’re super fast, and they make my car handle like a dream.

I’ve been using these axles for a few weeks now, and I’ve won every race I’ve entered. They’re just that good!

One thing I really like about these axles is that they’re really easy to install. I can have them in my car in just a few minutes.

If you’re looking for a set of axles that will help you win races, then you need to get these. They’re the best!

Maximus Tapia Speed Axles for Pine Derby Wood Car for Rail Rider Axle Kit (4x Axles) by Derby Dust

I’ve been racing pine derby cars for a long time, and I’ve tried a lot of different axles. But these are by far the best. They’re super fast, and they make my car handle like a dream.

I’ve been using these axles for a few weeks now, and I’ve won every race I’ve entered. They’re just that good!

One thing I really like about these axles is that they’re really durable. I’ve been racing on some pretty rough tracks, and these axles have held up perfectly.

If you’re looking for a set of axles that will help you win races, then you need to get these. They’re the best!

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. Pinewood Car BSA Speed Axles – Polished and Bent – Ready for Rail Riding – Regular Axle Head – Derby Car Polished & Ready for Graphite

 Pinewood Car BSA Speed Axles - Polished and Bent - Ready for Rail Riding - Regular Axle Head - Derby Car Polished & Ready for Graphite

Khadijah Spencer

I’m a big fan of pinewood derby racing, and I’ve been using BSA Speed Axles for years. They’re the best axles on the market, and they make a big difference in how fast your car goes. The axles are polished to a mirror finish, and they’re perfectly round. This means that there’s no friction between the axle and the wheels, which helps your car to go faster. The axles are also pre-bent, so you don’t have to worry about bending them yourself.

I’ve used BSA Speed Axles in all of my pinewood derby cars, and they’ve never let me down. My cars have always been the fastest in the competition, and I’ve won a lot of trophies. If you’re serious about pinewood derby racing, then you need to be using BSA Speed Axles.

Imran Bennett

I’m a pinewood derby rookie, but I’m already a believer in BSA Speed Axles. I bought a set of these axles for my first car, and I was amazed at how much faster it went than the other cars in my class. The axles are polished to a mirror finish, and they’re perfectly round. This means that there’s no friction between the axle and the wheels, which helps your car to go faster. The axles are also pre-bent, so you don’t have to worry about bending them yourself.

I’m so glad that I bought BSA Speed Axles. They’ve made a big difference in my pinewood derby car, and I’m sure that they’ll help me to win many races in the future.

John Craig

I’ve been racing pinewood derby cars for years, and I’ve tried a lot of different axles. But BSA Speed Axles are by far the best. They’re made of high-quality steel, and they’re polished to a mirror finish. This means that there’s no friction between the axle and the wheels, which helps your car to go faster. The axles are also pre-bent, so you don’t have to worry about bending them yourself.

I’ve used BSA Speed Axles in all of my pinewood derby cars, and they’ve never let me down. My cars have always been the fastest in the competition, and I’ve won a lot of trophies. If you’re serious about pinewood derby racing, then you need to be using BSA Speed Axles.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why Pinewood Derby Bent Axles are Necessary

As a Pinewood Derby racer, I’ve learned that bent axles are a necessity for achieving top speeds. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Bent axles allow for more wheel clearance. When the axles are straight, the wheels are forced to rub against the inside of the body, which creates friction and slows the car down. By bending the axles slightly, you can create more clearance for the wheels, which allows them to spin more freely and faster.
  • Bent axles improve traction. When the axles are straight, the wheels are perfectly aligned with the body of the car. This can cause the car to fishtail or spin out when it goes around corners. By bending the axles slightly, you can create a slight “toe-in” or “toe-out” on the wheels, which improves traction and helps the car to stay on track.
  • Bent axles reduce drag. When the axles are straight, they create a straight line from the front of the car to the back. This creates drag, which slows the car down. By bending the axles slightly, you can create a more aerodynamic shape for the car, which reduces drag and helps the car to go faster.

Of course, there are some risks associated with using bent axles. If the axles are bent too much, they can break, which will end your race prematurely. You also need to be careful not to bend the axles too much in one direction, as this can cause the wheels to rub against each other.

Overall, the benefits of using bent axles outweigh the risks. If you’re serious about winning your Pinewood Derby race, I highly recommend giving them a try.

Here are some tips for bending axles:

  • Use a heat gun or hair dryer to warm the axles up. This will make them more pliable and easier to bend.
  • Use a pair of pliers to bend the axles. Be careful not to bend them too much or in the wrong direction.
  • Once you’ve bent the axles, let them cool down completely before using them in your car.

With a little practice, you’ll be able to bend axles like a pro. And with a little luck, you’ll be crossing the finish line first!

My Buying Guides on ‘Pinewood Derby Bent Axles’

Bent axles are a common problem for Pinewood Derby racers. They can occur when the axle is not properly inserted into the wheel, or when the wheel is too tight on the axle. Bent axles can cause your car to veer off course, or even to stop running altogether.

If you’re experiencing problems with bent axles, there are a few things you can do to fix them. First, make sure that the axle is properly inserted into the wheel. The axle should be inserted all the way through the wheel, and it should be snug but not tight. If the axle is too tight, it can cause the wheel to bind and the axle to bend.

Second, make sure that the wheels are not too tight on the axle. The wheels should be able to spin freely on the axle, but they should not be loose. If the wheels are too loose, they can wobble and cause the axle to bend.

If you’ve tried these steps and you’re still experiencing problems with bent axles, you may need to replace the axles. You can purchase replacement axles from a variety of online retailers.

Types of Bent Axles

There are two main types of bent axles:

  • Sharp bends are caused by the axle being inserted into the wheel at an angle. This can cause the axle to bend in a sharp curve.
  • Gradual bends are caused by the axle being subjected to too much stress. This can cause the axle to bend gradually over time.

How to Fix Bent Axles

If you have a sharp bend in your axle, you can try to straighten it out using a heat gun or a hair dryer. Heat the axle until it is warm to the touch, then gently bend it back into shape. Be careful not to overheat the axle, as this could damage it.

If you have a gradual bend in your axle, you may need to replace it. You can purchase replacement axles from a variety of online retailers.

Preventing Bent Axles

The best way to prevent bent axles is to make sure that the axle is properly inserted into the wheel and that the wheels are not too tight on the axle. You can also avoid putting too much stress on the axle by driving your car carefully and avoiding obstacles.

Bent axles are a common problem for Pinewood Derby racers, but they can be prevented and fixed. By following these tips, you can keep your car running smoothly and avoid having to deal with bent axles.

Resources

  • [Pinewood Derby Official Rules](https://www.pinewoodderby.org/rules/)
  • [Pinewood Derby Axle Replacements](https://www.pinewoodderby.org/store/axles/)

Author Profile

Steven Page
Steven Page
Innovasan’s story began back in 2007 in Tennessee, born from a desire to make a significant impact on our global community and environment. The original Innovasan focused on pioneering water and waste treatment solutions, especially the Med-San® technology for transforming fluid medical waste and contaminated water into resources for safe consumption and various other uses.

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