What would you like to see kitted?

Fish man · 10 November 2009, 04:13 AM

You caught me! Those wheels look good on Billy's Ansaldo Mike! Didn't you think so?

Lucky Dog · 10 November 2009, 04:17 AM

Yes, not too bad. Better with covers on eventually. But they certainly do the job.

Doc Modeler · 10 November 2009, 06:23 AM

I'm sure you all have seen Herbies' wheels. Of course they aren't cheap. A 210 mm pair (for many 1/3 scale) run 102 Euro, at todays rate that's a hundred fifty two and change plus shipping. I haven't been tempted badly enough to check on the shipping rates.
I have a small lathe and could make the hubs but its not big enough to do the rims, not to mention what the material costs would be to turn the rims from stock. I think they'd have to be rolled and welded from formed sheet stock.
I've been tempted to try the large 40 spoke kit from AZM but they're 192 which is worse than Herbie wheels. Lets dont start the AZM conversation again please.
The Herbie wheels in that respect arent a bad deal. They look good but the only thing I dont like is the tires aren't molded, they have a seam. Oh well, one must make choices and sometimes compromises.
Doc

Lucky Dog · 10 November 2009, 06:40 AM

I wonder what the UK Dawn Patrol guys are using for their 1/3 scale birds? Herbies?

Doc Modeler · 10 November 2009, 06:43 AM

The RCMF forum website is where I found out about them.
Doc

Fish man · 10 November 2009, 07:36 AM

I haven't heard of some of the brands mentioned so I can't comment. AZMA wheels look good but my grip with them is they are unassembled and don't come with spoke material. For the price they are asking they should be ready to go. I like the Mick Reeves wheels just fine but Mick says they are having trouble with getting materials and he didn't get back with me on his best price for a bulk order. I hate to pester the man and he may not want to sell to a potential competetor.

Fish man · 10 November 2009, 10:20 AM

Looked at the Herbie wheels and that is what I want! Those are very nice. Bit expensive 8.5 inch set is around 150 bucks!

ProfLooney · 10 November 2009, 10:43 AM

I think you can get azm assembled or unassembled. the spoke material is just 1/32 wire which can easily be gotten at local hardware store. he does supply the little brass things for the spokes. I have a set I am putting together it takes some practice to get them soldered or epoxied in place but only takes a couple mins yo cut and bend the spokes. and the jig isnt that hard to build.

I just feel sorry for the guy that has to drill those 64 teensy weensy holes in the rims and keep them accurately spaced apart. Jaimie told me it takes little over half a day to drill those for 1 rim. heck I would need a case of drill bits to replace the ones that snap cause i start getting impatient and start pushing the drill

Doc Modeler · 10 November 2009, 11:10 AM

Patience grasshopper and always use a sharp bit. The little thingies for the spokes are called nipples.
Doc

Fish man · 11 November 2009, 04:15 AM

still, if I'm puttin' out that kind of green I don't want to have to go buy spoke material and build them. The holes are the time consuming part. I could drill them myself...I may ask for a quote to have the hubs and rims made without holes that would make the price go down a lot. I have not given up. I will have reasonably priced wheels!!!