I was going to get a new axle anyway as it was very rusted
Rusty axle? It'll be fine .....unless it is rusting in half.
They're
always rusty especially if they're left outside to rot, along with the rest of the karts that we find. Just grind off the rust with the aforementioned grinder + wire wheel and then paint it. I like to paint it like a metallic steel color, giving the illusion it is stainless or something, but it can be body color...
I need to get a thread file too, those are neat. Thanks Canned Monster.
I would the get the "cup style" wire wheel as seen in this pic, but beware, individual wires can launch from the wheel and stick in things, like your legs (or eyeball) but it is usually whatever is in-line with the wheel's rotation, so don't be angle grinding up by your face. Wear eye-pro and wear denim trousers.
cross section. You run the file back and forth into the damaged threads following the original contour. The file may be too small (won't bite into the metal) and you might need a bigger file (depending on the thread size on the axle) and it could be a lot of work.