How do those wheels stay on?

**WVA** · #1 04-05-2010, 05:00 PM

I always try to make my airplane model's wheels roll. But, I have not found a good way to keep them on the axle. Most things I have tried look pretty clunky - too big, too ugly, etc. I tried to glue a small retaining bit to the axle end with CA, but - you can guess - I also glued the wheel to the axle. I sure would like some suggestions!

**cMags** · #2 04-05-2010, 05:11 PM

I've begun making models with spinnable wheels and what I'm doing is using fabric satin straight pins. They have a small flat head so they're not too obtrusive. You can see here on a 1:72 model that they simply look like hubs. I had to use wire cutters to snip the pins, and had to hold onto both ends so they didn't go flying at high speed (sharp projectiles are bad =P).

More pics here: http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/110978-post66.html

On a more recent 1:72 model of a WWI biplane, I was able to hide the pin head behind the wheel cover. I think this would work in a lot of situations. Basically have a single layer of thick card in the center of the wheel open in the center, and have the pin only go through the inside surface, but not the outside surface. So the pin head is stuck in the center of the wheel and invisible.

**silveroxide** · #3 04-05-2010, 07:40 PM

Great idea C-mag, I have some long pin head wire for jewelry work and they are straight cut at the ends that may work. they usually come brass or silver colored but soft not solid like a straight pin. I may give it a try next time I need to make a landing gear section.

**Gharbad** · #4 04-05-2010, 08:46 PM

Depending on the wheel you might also get away with a toothpick for an axle. The wood holds glue much better and you can cut it flat at the end to better fit that retaining bit.
One thing I used to try is to periodically spin it as the glue dries so that the wheel doesn't get stuck.

**Lex** · #5 04-06-2010, 04:51 AM

You can also try hiding the pinhead or something along those lines inside the wheel, so that the cover completely obscures it. I'm not a true fan of spinning wheels though, tried once and aircraft tends to roll off the display lol......

**SCEtoAUX** · #6 04-06-2010, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lex

You can also try hiding the pinhead or something along those lines inside the wheel, so that the cover completely obscures it. I'm not a true fan of spinning wheels though, tried once and aircraft tends to roll off the display lol......

That is when some scale wheel chocks would come in handy.

**cMags** · #7 04-06-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCEtoAUX

That is when some scale wheel chocks would come in handy.

:p

**Lex** · #8 04-06-2010, 03:19 PM

Will try! XD

**wag** · #9 04-06-2010, 03:23 PM

A couple of tricks I picked up building balsa models. If you have somewhere to hide it simply bending the wire axle works well. Otherwise you can wrap the axle with thread and hit it with super glue. If you slide a piece of wax paper between the wheel and the retainer while the glue dries it will usually prevent the wheel from getting stuck.
Wayne

**cMags** · #10 04-06-2010, 05:30 PM

Ok here's an example of what I was saying with the pins earlier. These are simple FG Sopwith Camel wheels. On the left you can see the pin through the wheel. On the right, the wheel cover covers the pin head. You can see the propeller too, where I sandwiched the pin head in between the propeller back/front.