Axle replacements

Is there a chance you can buy nails aka axles at like a homedepot/lowes or do you need to specifically buy them from a pinewood derby specific shop?

 

The problem with nails vs axles is the straightness and material.

Axles from the vendors are machined and straight, usually made from stainless.

The nails from Lowe's Depot are usually dipped in something, and developer not straight to the standards racers usually want, or more accurately, need. There is a reason you get a pound of nails for the cost of a set of axles.