Roll-Ez and other metal wheels

[RH Prague]

So I posted about my acquisition of a Zenner RKBB coach, and that I had fitted it with Roll-Ez ball-bearing wheels. A few days later, somebody - and I can't find the post or the thread it was in - wrote that Peter Zenner knows exactly what wheels best fit his conversions. Ruefully I confirm this. With "his"wheels the coach runs very freely, but when i put on the Roll-Ez wheels it was very sticky, if that's a good word to use. So I've put back his wheels, but the main point of my post is to understand more about why this was the case. I've got Roll-Ez wheels now on several LGB German outline coaches, and they enhance the ride, run free but with a smooth and solid feel.

So comparing the Roll-Ez and Zenner wheels obviously the Roll-Ez are much heavier. But I now also notice that the Roll-Ez is visibly smaller in diameter too, visible in the first foto, I hope. Second foto compares with the LGB metal wheels that were on an RuBB coach I acquired and which i also exchanged for Roll-Ez. I this case the Roll-Ez is on the right. The LGB ones are slightly bigger but the difference is far less than with the Zenner ones.

So what's this all about then? Is Mr Kramer working to a smaller scale because most of his customers are US based? And why would diameter so affect the smooth running, or is it perhaps the big weight difference that affected it? Any other general experiences with Roll-Ez and European outline stock?

 

[Greg Elmassian]

First rule of fitting wheels, is check size. In the US we have several sizes, and I'll bet Al's wheels are a scale 33" in 1:29 .... the standard diameter for freight. Passenger cars are usually larger, 36" but I don't believe Al makes those... last time I checked his wheels were 1.119" on the treads, near but not on the fillet.

Also, look to see if the hub of the wheel is rubbing on something and also axle tip diameter and overall axle length.

Finally you need to double check back to back measurement.

Not all wheels are interchangeable.

 

[Madman]

Greg is correct on the issue of Roll EZ wheel hubs rubbing on the inside of the truck frame. I tried Al's wheels a few years ago. That's how I know.

 

[dunnyrail]

Greg is correct on the issue of Roll EZ wheel hubs rubbing on the inside of the truck frame. I tried Al's wheels a few years ago. That's how I know.

Hm perhaps a couple of nylon washers on each axle each side may solve this problem, so long as the wheels themselves are not touching the Bogie Sideframes then they ought to revolve freely enough.

 

[PhilP]

Hm perhaps a couple of nylon washers on each axle each side may solve this problem, so long as the wheels themselves are not touching the Bogie Sideframes then they ought to revolve freely enough.

Surely if the 'hub' (centre of wheel?) is rubbing, then adding washers will jam things solid?

 

[Madman]

Hm perhaps a couple of nylon washers on each axle each side may solve this problem, so long as the wheels themselves are not touching the Bogie Sideframes then they ought to revolve freely enough.

I found that the wheel hubs were indeed, rubbing on the inside of the side frames.

 

[dunnyrail]

Surely if the 'hub' (centre of wheel?) is rubbing, then adding washers will jam things solid?

Hm I think that the Roller Wheels May turn even in those circumstances, worth a try.

 

[JimmyB]

Surely if the 'hub' (centre of wheel?) is rubbing, then adding washers will jam things solid?

Not having seen these wheels close up, I would assume the axle is static, with a bearing as the hub on the axle to the wheel, so the centre part of the bearing should be static, ergo a small washer should only press on the static parts and move the moving parts away from the side frames.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

A washer small enough to be less than the diameter of the project hub that is causing the difficulty.

These wheels have unique contours, this is a common issue with them.