Hi.
I'm about to build a new set-up and consider to invert the axle nuts in order to have the nylock rings of the nuts on the threads while the nuts would be flush with the axle tip. I plan to put some speed rings between the hanger and the wheel, nothing between the wheel and the nut.
Any thoughts about that?
What are the pros and cons with inverted axle nuts?
I guess my only question is "Why?" *
Axle nuts are designed to sit on the end of the axle anyway, the nyloc holds the nut on firmly or if they don't hold any more, it is time to get new nuts. The back of the axle nut pretty much has a built in washer, so will fit snugly on the bearing without rubbing on the shield and the rounded front protects the end of the axle (and your shins) anyway when used correctly with axle washers and not done up too tightly.
My own boards usually have two and often three washers on the inside of each wheel against the truck hanger and just the nut on the outside, so the wheel sits as wide as possible with a little play and the nut firmly on the end of the axle, however I know a lot of people who have one washer on either side and quite a few who don't use washers at all, which I am not a fan of.
I think the only time I have ever had to flip over the axle nuts and put them on nyloc first was when the axle was so badly damaged or so worn down that they just would not fit on the normal way. That was usually a good sign that it was about time for new trucks, or at least in these cases, it was about just getting a little more life out of the truck before getting new ones.
People who use normal skateboard wheels on some brands of roller skates with shorter axles also have to do that as they really only lock on to about a third of the axle nut, but I don't think I have met any person in 20+ years of skate shop work who voluntarily puts nuts on backwards.
There is a first time for everything.
Edit:
* Not trying to be a dick, just curious why and if you have a reason.
These are close ups of my setups and I never have issues with nuts coming off or getting axle damage.