Posted February 11, 201015 yr Hi, I am new and would like info on steel or other metal round and other shaped axles for Lego please? It may have been mentioned before but it is new to me, OK? Hope someone can help. Not been computing for long and have found what I need but cannot trace an address. But being experts well into Lego I thought you may know other items along the axle/drive chain theme which could help? I started to build what I want but it has not really got a name, eccept it is a little machine. It has to work like a machine would, all be it on a smaller scale. The drive will either be motors or, more like, a hand turned crank. I decided on Lego because it is so versitile, and to be honest I did not know of many other Model Building Sets. I have make a few mock ups to get some idea of size, but the hand turned crank, which is used to drive the top roller on a machine which is very similar to a really printing press. That roller then drives the bottom roller. The problem is the Lego axles, and I am not sure about the gears, are not up to the torque. I want to cut puzzle pieces and there is just not enough strength in the Lego standard axles, so I need metal or some ideas really? habit
February 11, 201015 yr If you want to keep your model "100% Lego" (and not just go to a Hobby Shop to get a threaded rod for a model airplane or something), be advised that Lego DID make two steel THREADED axles. Here's a link to both the 10-studs-long (10L) and 4L types: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?q=threaded . They both used the Technic Axle Nut http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=4698 . You could also consider using Lego-compatible custom ALUMINUM parts (click on the "Show All Custom Items" link at the left edge of the screen): http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=InanimateReason . With them, you could easily build a robust model that could handle the torque.
February 11, 201015 yr If you want to keep your model "100% Lego" (and not just go to a Hobby Shop to get a threaded rod for a model airplane or something), be advised that Lego DID make two steel THREADED axles. Here's a link to both the 10-studs-long (10L) and 4L types: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?q=threaded . They both used the Technic Axle Nut http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=4698 . Those threaded axles are not made of metal. The threading actually makes them thinner and weaker than normal axles. Aluminum axles would be a good choice here, but I don't think that guy is selling any axles yet.
February 12, 201015 yr Author Those threaded axles are not made of metal. The threading actually makes them thinner and weaker than normal axles.Aluminum axles would be a good choice here, but I don't think that guy is selling any axles yet. Hi, I appreciate your reply, many thanks. Have you tried to find metal axles for Lego before? I know you can get a couple of replacement Lego 'stub-axles in metal but they allow just one wheel to be used. I want a series of drives coming off the one shaft. Doing this with normal Lego and the axles screw up and twist. There has to be some out there some where! Help. I have seen some but cannot recall where, but they and the metal replacement parts are almost a $100 ! Cheers. I have not got back to this site until now so will take a look at the site mention by you diluders, thanks. But I do recall as I said Lego making a very short stub-axle. I am several hundred Dollars into Lego as it was all I could think about and knew of very few other sets which after I got the Lego, turned out to be more suitable! But I know I can build this machine if I can find metal Lego axles, or replaces round Lego axles to fix gears on then gave tiny screws to hold them onto the rod. The "X" shape of the Lego axle brings it down to about 2 or 3 mm, I am not worried about that as I need a round axle. Or more correctly, a shaft or series of shafts. Lego bricks are strong, and will take the drive I have in mind I just can't find any bar. And that means ANY bar right now and for the last year. But with help from you two guys I stand a better chance, thank you.
February 12, 201015 yr Here is a link to "Inex Lego-Compatible Axle Connectors" (stubs, 10 per pack): http://www.robotshop.ca/inex-lego-axle-hub-connector-1.html . You could use a round metal axle from a hobby shop and stick the axle connectors on the ends. Polulu Robotics and Electronics has "LEGO Wheel Adapters for 3mm Hexagonal Shaft (pair)": http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1011 . Alas, "The LEGO wheel adapter is made of ABS plastic, similar to the plastic used in LEGO blocks." It seems that in 1970 (according to Peeron.com), Lego produced an x1208a "Technic Metal Axle Short": http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/x1208a . However, when I tried typing that number (x1208a) into Bricklink.com's Catalog, I didn't get anything. However, there are 8 ea. x1687 "Train Wheel RC Train, Metal Axle" ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=x1687 ) in the "Emerald Night" Set #10194. It appears to be METAL since it only comes in a Chrome Silver color, and it's 5 studs long (5L). From the large picture on that site, it's hard to tell whether the cross section is ROUND or x-shaped. The #85489 RC train wheel (flanged driver) has an x-shaped hole (http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=85489b ), and according to Bricklink.com, 4 ea. of them come in the same Emerald Night Set #10194. It appears that the 5L metal axles go onto the flanged driver wheels. There are only 7 ea. x1687 metal axles for sale at Bricklink.com right now: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogPG.asp?P=x...&colorID=22 .
February 12, 201015 yr Here is a link to "Inex Lego-Compatible Axle Connectors" (stubs, 10 per pack): http://www.robotshop.ca/inex-lego-axle-hub-connector-1.html . You could use a round metal axle from a hobby shop and stick the axle connectors on the ends.Polulu Robotics and Electronics has "LEGO Wheel Adapters for 3mm Hexagonal Shaft (pair)": http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1011 . Alas, "The LEGO wheel adapter is made of ABS plastic, similar to the plastic used in LEGO blocks." It seems that in 1970 (according to Peeron.com), Lego produced an x1208a "Technic Metal Axle Short": http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/x1208a . However, when I tried typing that number (x1208a) into Bricklink.com's Catalog, I didn't get anything. However, there are 8 ea. x1687 "Train Wheel RC Train, Metal Axle" ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=x1687 ) in the "Emerald Night" Set #10194. It appears to be METAL since it only comes in a Chrome Silver color, and it's 5 studs long (5L). From the large picture on that site, it's hard to tell whether the cross section is ROUND or x-shaped. The #85489 RC train wheel (flanged driver) has an x-shaped hole (http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=85489b ), and according to Bricklink.com, 4 ea. of them come in the same Emerald Night Set #10194. It appears that the 5L metal axles go onto the flanged driver wheels. There are only 7 ea. x1687 metal axles for sale at Bricklink.com right now: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogPG.asp?P=x...&colorID=22 . The metal axle x1687 in the Emerald Night set, the Train Hobby set, etc. is a simple round shaft used to connect two small train wheels, part# 57878, which then snap into a wheel holder 2878. It is thinner than the technic axle, and it's round, and cannot be used instead of a technic axle.
February 12, 201015 yr The metal axle x1687 in the Emerald Night set, the Train Hobby set, etc. is a simple round shaft used to connect two small train wheels, part# 57878, which then snap into a wheel holder 2878. It is thinner than the technic axle, and it's round, and cannot be used instead of a technic axle. OK, I've been wrong twice on this topic, so I give up. My advice to "habit" is to just buy a threaded rod from a hobby shop and be done with it. Legos can do a lot of things, but they can't do EVERYTHING. Build your machine and don't get hung up on making it 100% Lego.
February 16, 201015 yr It seems that in 1970 (according to Peeron.com), Lego produced an x1208a "Technic Metal Axle Short": http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/x1208a . However, when I tried typing that number (x1208a) into Bricklink.com's Catalog, I didn't get anything. It's called bb301 at BrickLink: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=bb301
February 17, 201015 yr Author Hello diluders, I am not specifically trying to built an all Lego machine. I have limited movement and find it hard to use tools. So I thought Lego as the basis of anything I make. There has to be two shafts which need to be a finished size of ~ 50 mm. I will have to build this thickness up from the max thickness the Lego holes will take. I believe the free movement size of the hole is 4.73 mm. If you can verify that I will know where to start. I was thinking of get the strongest type of BALSA as a test and I can get that in 5 mm sizes. It may be strong enough to use anyway, I do not know yet, but I will also need to find non Lego gears, as the Lego gears buckled when I tried a mock up of the machine. It may be me, but I am finding it hard to find or make a handle to use to drive the gears that drive the shafts. Any ideas on that would be obliged. I have checked out the other shafts mentioned and most are too short. They need to be at least 25 cm. Take care, habit OK, I've been wrong twice on this topic, so I give up. My advice to "habit" is to just buy a threaded rod from a hobby shop and be done with it. Legos can do a lot of things, but they can't do EVERYTHING. Build your machine and don't get hung up on making it 100% Lego. Hi vassal, I was thinking of using the round axles and perhaps linking them to the short stub axles you mention. I was also thinking of drilling the 4 bricks I need to fit a slightly larger rod, one that comes as a known standard size? Many thanks for your input and help. habit The metal axle x1687 in the Emerald Night set, the Train Hobby set, etc. is a simple round shaft used to connect two small train wheels, part# 57878, which then snap into a wheel holder 2878. It is thinner than the technic axle, and it's round, and cannot be used instead of a technic axle. Hi, after some fiddling I got this: http://www.peeron.com/inv/sets/802-1 It is not what I am after but that link you gave led to it. Habit It's called bb301 at BrickLink: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=bb301 I actually got my Lego from the Robotic shop mention. On second thoughts I cannot use the stubb axles, as I need the axle to go through the hole on the brick to attach the gears and handle to turn the whole thing. Thanks. habit Here is a link to "Inex Lego-Compatible Axle Connectors" (stubs, 10 per pack): http://www.robotshop.ca/inex-lego-axle-hub-connector-1.html . You could use a round metal axle from a hobby shop and stick the axle connectors on the ends.Polulu Robotics and Electronics has "LEGO Wheel Adapters for 3mm Hexagonal Shaft (pair)": http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1011 . Alas, "The LEGO wheel adapter is made of ABS plastic, similar to the plastic used in LEGO blocks." It seems that in 1970 (according to Peeron.com), Lego produced an x1208a "Technic Metal Axle Short": http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/x1208a . However, when I tried typing that number (x1208a) into Bricklink.com's Catalog, I didn't get anything. However, there are 8 ea. x1687 "Train Wheel RC Train, Metal Axle" ( http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=x1687 ) in the "Emerald Night" Set #10194. It appears to be METAL since it only comes in a Chrome Silver color, and it's 5 studs long (5L). From the large picture on that site, it's hard to tell whether the cross section is ROUND or x-shaped. The #85489 RC train wheel (flanged driver) has an x-shaped hole (http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=85489b ), and according to Bricklink.com, 4 ea. of them come in the same Emerald Night Set #10194. It appears that the 5L metal axles go onto the flanged driver wheels. There are only 7 ea. x1687 metal axles for sale at Bricklink.com right now: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogPG.asp?P=x...&colorID=22 .
February 17, 201015 yr Have I understood you correctly? You want to build a machine that will do real work? Not just replicate an existing machine as a LEGO-model? You choose LEGO since you could not find a better construction material? If so, sorry, but I think you put your money on the wrong horse. LEGO is (this might come as a shock to quite a few), after all a toy. The parts can be put into working things for sure, but if you want rigidity and reliability it's not a good material. Even if you manage to build something that works, after a short while the plastic will be ground to dust. I'd visit the scrapyard and find some metal gears, rods, bearings and what not if I were you. Sure it'll need cutting, drilling and perhaps even welding but in the end you'd get a machine that holds up. I've found that old copy machines and large printers are full of gears, bearings and axles. Quite a source for smaller projects! LEGO can be great for prototyping but not real construction...
February 21, 201015 yr Author Have I understood you correctly?You want to build a machine that will do real work? Not just replicate an existing machine as a LEGO-model? You choose LEGO since you could not find a better construction material? If so, sorry, but I think you put your money on the wrong horse. LEGO is (this might come as a shock to quite a few), after all a toy. The parts can be put into working things for sure, but if you want rigidity and reliability it's not a good material. Even if you manage to build something that works, after a short while the plastic will be ground to dust. I'd visit the scrapyard and find some metal gears, rods, bearings and what not if I were you. Sure it'll need cutting, drilling and perhaps even welding but in the end you'd get a machine that holds up. I've found that old copy machines and large printers are full of gears, bearings and axles. Quite a source for smaller projects! LEGO can be great for prototyping but not real construction...
February 21, 201015 yr Author Hi, I appreciate your help, thank you. Yes I do want to make a machine that does a job. But the machine is pretty small. This link will take you to the machine type I am thinking of. It is one of the hand wound machines. http://www.sepha.com/en/products/ Thanks
April 7, 201014 yr Hi, I appreciate your reply, many thanks. Have you tried to find metal axles for Lego before? I know you can get a couple of replacement Lego 'stub-axles in metal but they allow just one wheel to be used. I want a series of drives coming off the one shaft. Doing this with normal Lego and the axles screw up and twist. There has to be some out there some where! Help.I have seen some but cannot recall where, but they and the metal replacement parts are almost a $100 ! Cheers. I have not got back to this site until now so will take a look at the site mention by you diluders, thanks. But I do recall as I said Lego making a very short stub-axle. I am several hundred Dollars into Lego as it was all I could think about and knew of very few other sets which after I got the Lego, turned out to be more suitable! But I know I can build this machine if I can find metal Lego axles, or replaces round Lego axles to fix gears on then gave tiny screws to hold them onto the rod. The "X" shape of the Lego axle brings it down to about 2 or 3 mm, I am not worried about that as I need a round axle. Or more correctly, a shaft or series of shafts. Lego bricks are strong, and will take the drive I have in mind I just can't find any bar. And that means ANY bar right now and for the last year. But with help from you two guys I stand a better chance, thank you. The steel axles you saw are at inanimatereason.com They also have a bricklink store under Inanimate Reason. I've talked to the the guy that runs this store and he has steel axles gallore. Sure some of his kits are about 100 bucks or less, which include some steel axles. But more importantly, he is a custom robotics builder, and will do custom orders on just about anything. If you need steel axles for Legos, he's your guy. I believe he has a steel axle pack with adapter hubs to Lego axles for about 40 bucks. If you just want a single steel axle at a particular length that will adapt to Lego axles you may get away with half that price. Just talk to the guy. TD
April 8, 201014 yr Author The steel axles you saw are at inanimatereason.comThey also have a bricklink store under Inanimate Reason. I've talked to the the guy that runs this store and he has steel axles gallore. Sure some of his kits are about 100 bucks or less, which include some steel axles. But more importantly, he is a custom robotics builder, and will do custom orders on just about anything. If you need steel axles for Legos, he's your guy. I believe he has a steel axle pack with adapter hubs to Lego axles for about 40 bucks. If you just want a single steel axle at a particular length that will adapt to Lego axles you may get away with half that price. Just talk to the guy. TD Hi there, and good luck! I will check out the sites listed, thank you so much! Regards 'cost', A new machine will cost over £3000.00. So about £60.00 or so for what I want sounds pretty reasonable! Thanks again.
November 26, 201113 yr Hi there, and good luck! I will check out the sites listed, thank you so much! Regards 'cost', A new machine will cost over £3000.00. So about £60.00 or so for what I want sounds pretty reasonable! Thanks again. FYI 19 and 23 Lego units long stainless steel Technic style axles are available at Brick Machine Shop on Bricklink.com
November 26, 201113 yr @ Eezo: Welcome to Eurobricks! I like your 5 different, custom METAL Lego-compatible items offered in your "Brick Machine Shop" Bricklink store:
November 26, 201113 yr Welcome to Eurobricks, nice custom stuff there what else do you plans for any thing regarding longer pneumatics? Edited November 26, 201113 yr by Alasdair Ryan
November 26, 201113 yr What would be the advantage of metal axles if the gears remain plastic? Something is going to give somewhere right?
November 26, 201113 yr Welcome to Eurobricks, nice custom stuff there what else do you plans for any thing regarding longer pneumatics? I plan a larger size air tank, for starter. I will also release a new 4 inch mechanical actuator in the next couple of days. Thanks for asking and please check out my Bricklink store named "Brick Machine Shop." Custom items will be made upon request! Eezo
November 26, 201113 yr I will also release a new 4 inch mechanical actuator in the next couple of days. I cant wait to see it! tim
November 26, 201113 yr @ Eezo: How will your upcoming 4" mechanical actuator compare in price with the $50 Firgelli L12 Lego NXT-compatible Linear Actuator with its 50mm (~2") stroke?
November 26, 201113 yr What would be the advantage of metal axles if the gears remain plastic? Something is going to give somewhere right? Hello Mr. Meatman, That is a very good question. Technic enthusiast have long thought that the plastic axles were always the weakest link in a Lego creation. In responding to numerous request on web forums, particually Bricklink's, I've made two types of steel axles. The first with the Technic "X" style cut throughout the shaft, which will work great with the current plastic gears, and make the "gears" the weakest link in the system. This, mind you, still strengthens the current system many folds. Many very tough real world devices still use plastic gears at their heart, like Dewalt power drills or RC hobby industry servos. Secondly, I also offer in my store, another stainless steel axle with the Technic "X" style only on the ends, but flatted along the remainder of the middle, which then will accomodate stainless steel gears. I, by the way, offer metal upgrade gears in 8, 24, and 40 tooth configurations. This will then make the Technic style plastic liftarms holding the axle and gears the weakest link in the system. It still would take quite a lot to break a plastic liftarms. Oh, by the way, "aluminum" Technic style liftarms are also available. The original picture posted by me here is using two 21 unit long black anodized aluminum liftarms. Use plastic and metal in your creation interchangeably, based on the trade-off of weight over strength. Thank you for inquiring and please check out my Bricklink store "Brick Machine Shop." In the next couple of weak I plan to upload many more creations. Feel free to ask for custom parts to be made or custom builds. This is what I'm working on recently. Eezo
November 26, 201113 yr But aren't high torque gears in those power tools and RC cars made out of plastic nylon which is stronger and more flexible? I am having a hard time seeing the hard plastic Lego gears holding up with a metal axle under medium torque.
November 26, 201113 yr @ timr: Here's the link to Eezo's "Brick Machine Shop" Bricklink store: http://www.bricklink.com/store.asp?p=Eezo .
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