When I use "The Tool" I hold the truck with the bearing boxes of the axle I'm reaming between my fingers and squeeze them - hard - as I turn the tool. If I put the same wheelset back into the same truck after reaming I can feel that the axle is a bit looser than it was before in terms of end play. Some trucks are even noticeably spread out by the tool itself when you first put the tool in. After reaming some of that spreading is gone.
My conclusion is that the axle distance between the side frames does change due to the tool (in addition to the conical hole also being smoothed out).
I use one of the original "Exxact Tools" and I turn it in the truck at least 10 full turns per hole (4 times = 40 full turns total). And I -always- see some plastic shavings/turnings that come out of the truck when I remove the tool. From both ends and about the same amount of shavings for each end/side of the truck.
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Let me ask the question differently - if I know the length of the tool (point to point) is there a recommended amount of difference (decrease) for the probable optimum axle that will "fit" that distance? - Jim B.