Foundry Prussian FPW artillery

[ahc56]

Help needed for newbee please. I have just bought my first few artillery pieces from the Foundry FPW range (field guns) and I now need to assemble them. Although it looks reasonably straightforward, are there any tips or guidance I need to follow to get the best results. For instance the metal rod as an axle does not look too good and clearly needs some treatment. Any advice or pictures of assembled models would be really helpful.
Thanks

[joroas]

Welcome to the site, Adrian.  You will, I am sure, find lots of help here. 

Just stay away from the corners...........