Are not all N gage axle lengths the same?

[oplholik]

A while back I bought some Intermountain 33" metal wheels. There was no axle length listed on the package. While installing some yesterday, I noticed they weren't turning freely, the plastic ones I took off were much freer rolling. So, after a while it occured to me to measure these things. The plastic axles measure approx. .535", and the metal ones measure approx. .555". Apparently there is more than 1 length available, or did someone goof and I got a bunch of o/s axles? Maybe I can try and file off about .010" of the pointy tip on each end and see if that frees them up some.

 

[Cjcrescent]

As in HO, N gauge axles do come in different lengths. But trying to file the axle is a bad idea. Instead take a small drill bit, one just about the same size as the journal, and ream out the journals some. Prior to the development of the "Tool" in HO, reaming out the journals with a drill bit was how we got the axles to fit.

 

[oplholik]

As in HO, N gauge axles do come in different lengths. But trying to file the axle is a bad idea. Instead take a small drill bit, one just about the same size as the journal, and ream out the journals some. Prior to the development of the "Tool" in HO, reaming out the journals with a drill bit was how we got the axles to fit.

Ok, thanks. I just wish the package stated the lengths, otherwise how do you know?

 

[Cjcrescent]

Even if the axle length was posted, it may not really mean anything. I've run across trucks that would roll very freely with the new axle in one "slot", but hardly turn in the other.