it would be nice if we had 18" axles because in this years competition, teams will generally want to max out their dumper/ scoop and they would need a pivot point in order to dump if to the other side
there is many interesting ideas on how to join axles together in the other thread but it still is part consuming (some teams don’t have access money to spend)
and it should be relatively easy to just lengthen the axle a bit wouldn’t it?
just a thought 
I would second that idea.
If VEX wants to start diving into other markets, the should start making wheels and adapters for 3/8" axles with keys !
A while back, I printed a 3D model of a VEX style chain sprocket for a 1/2" keyed shaft for an encoder mount. I’ll try to post a picture one of these days…
well 2 years ago one of our mentors would buy none vex nuts bolts and axels that were exactly the same and i think there is a rule that says you can have the exact same meterials made by a diffrent company but it was a rule by first but the axels were much longer than 3 feet even though the teams never used them at any length around 18 inches
where can you get these axles and what are they called?
1/8inch square rods?
I got 3’ axles at Home Depot. They where iron and not as high quality as VEX axles. I forget what they were called, but I am sure that the employees will know what you are talking about if you ask for 1/8th inch square rods.
the robotics program is run in a auto shop and ther was just solid square metal rods that was the same size but i think that it can be found anywhere where you buy square metal rods but im not shure where they buy it but the were really rusty and bent a little
Go to an engineeing shop and its called “key steel” like used in sprockets. They work just the same and generally an engineering shop is close by so if we need more axles, its good not having to wait and order.
On a related note, the 1/2" keyed shaft that my team used for FRC used the vex shaft / keyed steel as the key. I just thought it was hilarious that in the end it was Vex products keeping the wheels spinning.
With that said, our team also bought some of our shafts from Ace hardware (I believe). The square shaft from Ace wasn’t as strong as the vex shaft and lacked the shine so I would suspect that it was actually iron as Kendalls suggested.
This is a viable way to get an 18+ inch piece of shaft but I must bring two issues to the table:
Would said shaft be considered a legitimate Vex part? If I recall the rules specify that any off-the-shelf hardware must exactly match.
How would you prevent bending of the shaft? I understand with enough supports this wouldn’t be an issue but if your putting any significant amount of weight on a large stretch of shaft (6+ inches) you risk buckling the shaft, especially if you use the iron shaft.
All in all, just food for thought.
-Cody
If a piece of 1/8" square steel bar is longer than a standard VEX piece it would be illegal for competition although it would be fine for building robots for other uses.