I want to make a wagon with some bicycle wheels and I have the wheels now. How do I make an axle to go between the wheels? Is it something that I can buy at the hardware store and if so will they have different lengths? Do I simply screw these things onto the wheels and if so, i would worry that it would unscrew off as i pull it. If it‘s not this way, is there welding involved? Ok, that‘s enough questions, any suggestions you can make would be greatly appreciated.
All season because you can use them all the time
get a metal tube that has the id the same size as the wheel shaft,slip it over the wheel shafts and have it welded
With some of the older dropouts, there was a marginal amount of space left between the axle and the dropout, which, during riding, allowed the axle to slightly bend back and forth. That does reinforce the wheel in the dropouts, but after a while, the wear on the axle can create grooves and deep marks into the axle. Also, the constant bending can lead to a fatigue failure, which will result in a crack/break So, that a possibility, or, somebody up top is not very fond of your bicycle, as I haven't seen or heard of a broken axle in quite a while. But, as for a new axle, there's really nothing you can do but hope for the best. And the dropouts will be just fine if you bend em out.
Go to the hardware store and buy the proper size axle for your wheels. At each end of the shaft slip on a flat washer. Next slip the wheels on each end of the shaft. Now slip on another flat washer. Next drill a small hole on the outside of the flat washers and install a cotter pin. You should end up with cotter pin, washer, wheel, washer and a cotter pin. You wheel will not turn free and not come off the shaft. Install the axle with you wheels to your wagon and your ready to go. Good Luck.
