Al Kramer wheels - are they worth it?

[Fitz Orchard]

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.

 

[Gizzy]

I use Bachmann metal wheels on a lot of my wagons. Roughly half the cost of LGB ones which I fit on coaches....

 

[David1226]

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.

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.



David

 

[peterpavuk]

I use Bachmann metal wheels on a lot of my wagons. Roughly half the cost of LGB ones which I fit on coaches....

increasingly hard to find in the UK. just received 2 pack from europe. still cheaper than LGB stuff

 

[FatherMcD]

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.

 

[maxi-model]

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.

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

 

[Rhinochugger]

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.

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.