How short is too short on an axle?

I've got a Condor branded Formula/System Ex rear hub which I've spaced out to fit into a 130mm frame - and the axle turned out to be too short. Great.

I got some different nuts that have less washer and more thread on them. When I screw those on, I get about 7-8 turns in which takes me about two thirds down the nut.

Is that enough? I don't want to have to worry about my rear wheel popping off mid-ride. Should I put some Loctite on? Or should I reduce the amount of spacers to 3mm each side (from 5mm) and squeeze the dropouts the extra 2mm each side which would give me more thread? Or should I just shut up and stop worrying?

Of course, I never even considered that the axle could be too short, let alone that there are virtually no longer axles available for these hubs. Someone else on here has had a longer axle machined. Short of doing that (or buying a new hub) what are my options?

Cheers

Jammy had some custom machined 130mm axles for sale on here.

How tall are the nuts?, I would probably take the 2mm spacers out and squeeze the frame as you suggested.

I've still got that axle somewhere...let me have a look

Seems my thread was re-bumped, and I'm afraid you're third in the queue :(

Thanks for the comments guys. I just had another look now and it's actually more like 5 turns I can get on and it would take 9 to get the end of the axle flush with the end of the nut. So I'm about 3-4mm short. Total nut height is 12mm, of which about 11mm are threaded.

I suppose I'll give using less spacers and squeezing frame a go. Not sure whether the tension that creates on the nuts, i.e. pushing them outwards, would help my cause though.

Jammy, def still interested in the custom axle though. Thanks for letting me know. Give me a shout if the other two candidates fall through.

Surely, there are quite a few people with this problem. Could consider getting a bulk of these done and flogging them... Hm...

I suppose I'll give using less spacers and squeezing frame a go. Not sure whether the tension that creates on the nuts, i.e. pushing them outwards, would help my cause though.

won't matter at all, will be insignificant compared to the load from tightening them against the dropouts.

Cheers, I'll give that a go. Will go out and get some shorter spacers.

You're probably not going to strip the threads if you've managed to get it 2/3 on - and there's actually a school of thought that says it'll be more secure like that - but if you've got the chance to get a longer axle, then go for it.

I'd rather have washers between the bolt and the frame too - less chance of damaging the dropouts.

Okay, thanks for the advice, guys. I've got some shorter spacers and going to give it a go but I've managed to bag Jammy's fancy bespoke axle so that's probably the way to go. I may be asking some questions on how to replace the axle. Never taken a hub apart but it looks fairly straightforward.

I installed Jammy's custom axle and it worked a treat! Great machining and perfect length. Got some washers in there as well as per mooks' recommendation. Thanks!

I followed [ame="http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=347132"]this[/ame] guide which worked without problems. However, I think I may have put one of the bearings in unevenly or something. The wheel doesn't seem to run true anymore. It's brand new and never been ridden, so I don't think that's the problem. Thought I had maybe shot the bearing but it's running smoothly so it's probably not that. The only other thing I can think of is that I didn't get one of the cartridges back in evenly so it's not sitting perfectly straight in the hub.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!