Spec me some axel boxes

[Cyclone]

My scratch building is underway.

I bought some plastic axle boxes and wheels as they were cheap and to give me a feel.

However, they're not really gonna do the job.

So I'm after some recommendations for axle boxes and wheels.

The plan is to make several open wagons. So I want to create jig for the frames.

45mm gauge/16 mm scale. Not too bothered about the style but do want to keep the cost down.

EDIT: Just realised that Ive spelt axle wrong...oops

 

[Fluffy Bunny]

Hi Garden Railway Supplies, http://www.grsuk.com/ < Link To http://www.grsuk.com, do whole bogies if you want, they also do some simple fold up wheel holders if you want to put your existing axleboxes on the outside as a cosmetic addition and keep the cost down. I have used the fold up brass ones and they are pretty simple and effective unless you are a rivet counter! Regards, Duncan

 

[Cyclone]

Thanks, Not after bogies at the moment.
Will look at the fold up ones.
Been looking at the ip engineering boxes and wheels. The leaf spring ones.
Bit cheaper than accucraft ones.
Interested to get opinions.

 

[MRail]

Worth knowing that I.P. axlebox bearings are made for 1/8" axles.
Brandbright & others use 2mm or 3mm journals.

 

[Dave Hub]

Cambrian models do axleboxes at a reasonable price, never used them but I have had other bits from them and it was good stuff.

 

[MRail]

In the early days of the MR, I used a good many Cambrian parts.
Sadly, the axleguards and bogies proved a little too fragile for the hard trackbed.
Most gradually broke up in service.

 

[yb281]

Thanks, Not after bogies at the moment.
Will look at the fold up ones.
Been looking at the ip engineering boxes and wheels. The leaf spring ones.
Bit cheaper than accucraft ones.
Interested to get opinions.

I've used both IP and Accucraft wheels and axle boxes and my advice is that you get what you pay for. The IP ones are perfectly useable, but the Accucraft are much, much better - cleaner mouldings that don't require any cleaning up and excellent running qualities.

 

[Doug]

Slaters are really nice, they will do any of their 16mm wheels on 45mm gauge axles for 25p extra. They come with brass bearings to fit in any axleboxes

 

[Cyclone]

Slaters, as in the plastic card people?
I'll take a look, cheers.

 

[Doug]

Yep, thats them!

 

[Steven.T]

I have a few I.P. Axleboxes on my stock and they are all fine, didn't take much cleaning up and run well with a hint of oil.

Infact the only problem I've had was using the wrong glue to hold them to the solebars on my coach, both boxes dropped off at a steam up :-

 

[Cyclone]

The skaters ines look good, thanks.

The ip ones look good value. Are wheel sets interchangeable or is it best to get matching?

I was looking at how they are mounted on the sole bar, it seems to me that the ones that mount on to the side of the sole bar would be easier to attach and get square than the ones which attach to the "top" (underside) if you catch my drift?

ie WL style rather than LB style.

Very grateful for all input so far.

 

[MRail]

Are wheel sets interchangeable or is it best to get matching?

Best to get matching.
Journals vary.
I.P. use 1/8", while Brandbright do both 2mm and 3mm. Accucraft are (I think) 3mm.

 

[Cyclone]

Ah yes, just noted previous post. Cheers.