Al Kramer wheels - are they worth it?

Fitz Orchard

Fitz Orchard

Apprentice Ferroequinologist
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Not sure where to post this but have read several threads here referring to these metal wheels. I have started converting my stock to metal wheels - it makes a lot of difference and the Al Kramer wheels get great reviews here.
I have found the RollEZ wheels location in LV. They do not accept international orders online but the website suggests e-mail contact so they can provide shipping cost. Have done so but no response. Are they still trading and should I persevere or just buy LGB metal wheels here?
Is there enough difference in performance to justify what will likely be a significant shipping cost from US - not to mention the customs risk as it would be an import item.
Appreciate any advice.
 
I use Bachmann metal wheels on a lot of my wagons. Roughly half the cost of LGB ones which I fit on coaches....
 
Fitz Orchard said:
Not sure where to post this but have read several threads here referring to these metal wheels. I have started converting my stock to metal wheels - it makes a lot of difference and the Al Kramer wheels get great reviews here.
I have found the RollEZ wheels location in LV. They do not accept international orders online but the website suggests e-mail contact so they can provide shipping cost. Have done so but no response. Are they still trading and should I persevere or just buy LGB metal wheels here?
Is there enough difference in performance to justify what will likely be a significant shipping cost from US - not to mention the customs risk as it would be an import item.
Appreciate any advice.
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Hi Fitz

I have been using Al Kramer’s RollEZ for many years, all of my rolling stock is fitted with them. When I first started to look for metal wheels, many years ago, they were relatively inexpensive and could be bid for on UK eBay, with P&P quite acceptable. I have no experience of LGB metal wheels, which these days are very expensive. RollEZ are turned from solid brass which is then either bright or dull nickel plated, these wheels are very heavy and give any rolling stock a low centre of gravity. I used to buy mine, 20 axels at a time, in bright nickel, and paint the the wheels and axels track colour, leaving the tires and flanges bright. Today buying RollEZ from the US has a triple whammy, the high initial cost, the higher postage costs and the inevitable import duty on entering the UK. This makes them a very expensive option these days. Metal wheels from UK manufacturers, such as GRS, all seem to produce their wheels from steel, which of course rusts, and I doubt are as heavy.

I was in need of some more wheels and baulked at the cost of RollEZ, ordered from the UK. I am in the fortunate position that my son and his family live in the US and we visit from time to time. I was there for three weeks in December, for Christmas. While I was there, my son found a suppler that was actually $5 cheaper, for 10 axels than RollEZ's own website, and, the postage to my son's address was very low. Guess what I came home, with in my suitcase.

In my limited experience, I would say that RollEZ are still probably the best wheels you can get, it's whether or not you feel you can justify the expense. I acquired mine over a period of years, when things were cheaper.

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David
 
Al Kramer, the owner of Roll-EZ passed away several months ago. The business has been taken over by his daughter (in-law?) Daena Kramer. She has recently completed a move and re-organization and is continuing the business. You'll have to weigh your options compared to other available wheels and confirm the costs. I have purchased the wheels a couple of times and had to use an arbor press to tighten up the gauge on some sets. It was easy enough since the center of the axles is shouldered to the correct gauge.
 
FatherMcD said:
Al Kramer, the owner of Roll-EZ passed away several months ago. The business has been taken over by his daughter (in-law?) Daena Kramer. She has recently completed a move and re-organization and is continuing the business. You'll have to weigh your options compared to other available wheels and confirm the costs. I have purchased the wheels a couple of times and had to use an arbor press to tighten up the gauge on some sets. It was easy enough since the center of the axles is shouldered to the correct gauge.
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I did not know that. Very sad to hear of Al's passing. I bought a number of Bachmann LS Spectrum locos NIB from him via his Ebay shop over the years. Always gave great service and great prices, even after shipping to UK and paying 20% import taxes. Now, at final count - 3 truck Shay, Forney, Climax, C-19 and lastly a Glenbrook 2-6-0. RIP Al Kramer. Max
 
Fitz Orchard said:
Not sure where to post this but have read several threads here referring to these metal wheels. I have started converting my stock to metal wheels - it makes a lot of difference and the Al Kramer wheels get great reviews here.
I have found the RollEZ wheels location in LV. They do not accept international orders online but the website suggests e-mail contact so they can provide shipping cost. Have done so but no response. Are they still trading and should I persevere or just buy LGB metal wheels here?
Is there enough difference in performance to justify what will likely be a significant shipping cost from US - not to mention the customs risk as it would be an import item.
Appreciate any advice.
Click to expand...
Any metal wheels are better than plastic but, if you're using anything under LGB's R3 curves (nominally 8ft diameter) you need to check the flange depth. 8ft dia curves and larger are fine with virtually any of the manufacturer's wheels (except I don't like Swift Sixteen's wheelsets) but less than 8ft and you need to think of deeper flanges approaching LGB pattern.
 
Thanks to all for thoughtful replies - and much as I had suspected re costs etc. I wish I still lived in USA as I did in 1990's and could get the Roll EZ ones - but on a pension now so must be sensible. I have bought enough LGB metal wheels second hand for the passenger coaches and Bachmann sounds a sensible half price solution for the wagons. Will bear in mind the tight curve issue but most of mine are R3 or close. Great feedback as always and much appreciated.
Fitz
 
Fitz Orchard said:
Thanks to all for thoughtful replies - and much as I had suspected re costs etc. I wish I still lived in USA as I did in 1990's and could get the Roll EZ ones - but on a pension now so must be sensible. I have bought enough LGB metal wheels second hand for the passenger coaches and Bachmann sounds a sensible half price solution for the wagons. Will bear in mind the tight curve issue but most of mine are R3 or close. Great feedback as always and much appreciated.
Fitz
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Don't forget that the Bachmann 31 mm wheels are sometimes available under the Liliput label - seems odd, but I believe I bought a set once.
 
Fitz Orchard said:
Not sure where to post this but have read several threads here referring to these metal wheels. I have started converting my stock to metal wheels - it makes a lot of difference and the Al Kramer wheels get great reviews here.
I have found the RollEZ wheels location in LV. They do not accept international orders online but the website suggests e-mail contact so they can provide shipping cost. Have done so but no response. Are they still trading and should I persevere or just buy LGB metal wheels here?
Is there enough difference in performance to justify what will likely be a significant shipping cost from US - not to mention the customs risk as it would be an import item.
Appreciate any advice.
Click to expand...
There's some Bachmann wheels for sale on the forum if you're quick.
 
Hello Fitz,
Lots of good advice already given above now rest me to warn you for “non centered steel wheels”. They wil introduce a nasty shaky effect when running. Should you run into that problem i can advice you to contact my friend Rainer Kleinsteuber in The Netherlands. He repaired many steel wheels in his workshop at home by making a new stainless steel outer band out of a piece of ss steel tube.
He describes the process in our book “Our Model Garden Railway” (See Amazon). You may mail him at: rainer.kleinsteuber@gmail.com
He also can help you with second hand wheels.
Succes!
Gerard (Bart)
 
Fitz Orchard said:
Not sure where to post this but have read several threads here referring to these metal wheels. I have started converting my stock to metal wheels - it makes a lot of difference and the Al Kramer wheels get great reviews here.
I have found the RollEZ wheels location in LV. They do not accept international orders online but the website suggests e-mail contact so they can provide shipping cost. Have done so but no response. Are they still trading and should I persevere or just buy LGB metal wheels here?
Is there enough difference in performance to justify what will likely be a significant shipping cost from US - not to mention the customs risk as it would be an import item.
Appreciate any advice.
Click to expand...
I have been using LGB and Bachman metal wheels on all my stock for some time, only think bearing wheels worthwhile if you are pulling excessive loads but the LGB bearing ones are ones are good if you want lighted stock.
 
Fred2179G said:
Bachmann are cast and not polished. Running on a portable track indoors, there was quite a roar from the wheels!
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Ah well I am mostly outside but never noticed that issues on my loft railway, but perhaps the sound locomotives and slow speeds precluded that issue.
 
I was using Al Kramer's wheels for awhile many years ago. One odd thing about them is the shoulder on the outer portion of the axle. I found that on certain rolling stock, can't recall which ones, that shoulder caused the axles to press against the inside of the journal boxes. So any rolling EZness was cancelled.

I have also used Bachmann metal wheels with fairly good results.

The wheels of choice, however are LGB ball bearing with LGB non ball bearing coming in a close second. Since I have two sprung points in my garden railway, the Roll EZ and Bachmann wheels sometimes would ride up over the moving point. Whereas the LGB wheels were able to push the point blades every time.

The Roll EZ and Bachmann wheels have a rounded edge on their flanges. The LGB wheels have a much sharper edge. Thus making going through sprung points more reliable.
 
Hi all - Daena here (Al's daughter). I still have my dad's wheels manufactured and sell them on ebay and on the website I built up (www.roll-ez.com) as I can sell cheaper than eBay on my own website, similar to how my dad did. Sometimes international orders take me a little time to get to as I've had to take a 2nd job to keep my dads business going, but I assure you, it's STILL GOING and not going anywhere :). I have another batch of the black ball bearing wheels being manufactured now and expect them to be ready in 3-4 months, hopefully sooner. I have the silver ball bearing in stock.
I certainly don't have my dad's expertise but I try to find the answers to any questions from all the friends and model railroaders he was close with. I also continue his "low price guarantee" from any authorized dealer. I'd been helping him run the business for a couple years as his health declined so I'm doing my best to continue to make improvements and offer low prices. Thanks to everyone for your support of my dad and your continued support of his business. He really loved model railroading!
 
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