The second set of wheels went onto the axles substantially better than the first. I recalled that it was a good idea to get the axle about halfway into the wheel, and then take it out of the press to inspect how axle was lining up with the key. The inside of the key is sloped to try to guide the axle, but it’s better to get the alignment right up front.
Three out of four shorting wires worked. Fortunately, I had some silver-bearing adhesive, which bridged the final gap, and also sealed the ends of the wires against paint or corrosion. Incidentally, that adhesive is the most expensive liquid I’ve ever bought. Millilitre for millilitre, the stuff costs as much as 81 year old Macallan, but probably doesn’t taste as good, and doesn’t come with a bronze sculpture. The whiskey might have been as effective at solving my problem, but only very temporarily; whereas I’m hopeful the glue will last.
On this set of drivers, I decided to pause and fill the recesses on the bosses with putty. This should hide the unprototypical keys, as well as the too-thick axle ends.
Finally, I pressed the crank pins into their holes and took the chassis for a little test role on a piece of glass. Amazingly, it all worked on the first try!
Pembroke:87 