1/2A size model-airplane wheels

944_Jim wrote:Hey Roddie,

Why buy that many?
1) Because for $5 it isn't worth trying to get half-lots and make a few trips.
2) Because Roddie is most generous, and knows we can't easilly get this size wheel anymore.
3) Because Perfect ain't making wheels anymore, and these are just fine for the occasional flier in our scale.
4) Because they are lighter than Perfect balloon tires in this size.
5) Because they don't melt like plastic wheels when soldering the retaining washers in the legs.

Since you broke down to share most generously, I don't feel like I'm taking from  your private stock now. Maureen never emailed back, and I've been too busy to chase her down.

I'm in for a short stack...hmmm, about 10 should last a while.

How much for a USPS padded mini envelope to zip 39705?
Don't send them to 02146, I haven't lived there for 25 years! LOL

With direct access to the manufacturer, can we ask for different sizes in bulk? I'd love 1", 1.25", 1.375". Maybe we could get a few guys to go in on bags of 100 of each of those sizes.

We can PM details like addresses/PayPal/or a check in the mail.

Thanks much!

Hey Jim! I'm really glad that you replied to this thread! I'm actually not surprised. PM me with your complete address.. OK?

You definately got a good deal on those wheels. Looking online, cannot even come up with those, and anything comparable is a lot more. Good find.

Brodak purchased the Perfect model company. This includes the tank line equally. If one desires Perfect products, he has them. While some items aren't listed on his website, a simple call can generally offer what one desires. The balloon wheels and streamlines are still offered. Just don't expect to pay what you use to for them. It's not the 70's anymore. The website is always slow and sometimes the shipping quotes are not accurate. Your always better off calling and offering a zipcode.

Well that's good to know Ken Thanks . i like the Balloon tire of yesterday better for RC or larger planes.

Ken Cook wrote:Brodak purchased the Perfect model company. This includes the tank line equally. If one desires Perfect products, he has them. While some items aren't listed on his website, a simple call can generally offer what one desires. The balloon wheels and streamlines are still offered. Just don't expect to pay what you use to for them. It's not the 70's anymore. The website is always slow and sometimes the shipping quotes are not accurate. Your always better off calling and offering a zipcode

Hi Ken, Happy Easter to you my friend. I had a feeling that Brodak may have purchased at least some of the Perfect-line of parts.. because of the tin/hard-tanks being offered.. but I didn't know that the Perfect-line of wheels were still available.

You may recall my interest in 1/2A spring-style wheel-retainers for 1/16" dia. music-wire which I used to source from "SIG" (their P/N SH-121). This part was no longer listed as available (discontinued) on their website. I emailed SIG (Becky Van Dee) who replied; stating that the wheel-retainers were no longer available.

Cox International (Bernie) had sourced some Goldberg NOS wheel retainers of the same type, of which I purchased a few packets a while ago. This type of wheel-retainer was originally furnished in the hdwe. packages of the Goldberg 1/2A C/L models that used a landing-gear.. such as the "Swordsman 18" and "Stuntman 23".. just to name two. I have used this style wheel-retainer on all of my 1/2A airplanes that utilize a 1/16" dia. music-wire landing-gear. It's a sturdy/lightweight package.. when you desire a landing-gear on your model.

I was bored this afternoon.. and decided to paint some more of these wheels. Actually.. I "dipped" them.. First; I drilled-out their hub-holes from .055" to .067" to fit common/sturdy .062" (1/16") diameter K & S brand music-wire.

The "paint" is a Pactra oil-base type; labelled "Odds and Ends" enamel.



I used the paint earlier this year; brushing it onto these same wheels. I was happy with the finish.. but I don't know how it will hold-up to glow-fuel exposure.

My "Rare Bear" 1/2A profi-speed model has been recently retro-fitted with a pair of these wheels that were "brush-painted" with this Pactra paint.



Today I decided to try "dipping" some wheels into the paint. After drilling-out the hubs.. I used paper-clips and plastic "coffee-stirrer" (straws) to stack a few wheels for dipping-into the paint. The coffee-stirrer/straws were cut-short with nail-clippers to approx. 1/8" (3mm) which was enough of a gap between the wheels.. to keep them from touching.




Here are the dipped wheels (drying..). I'm sure that they'll be fine for "knock-around" use..  




Incidentally... I save paper-towels that are not particularly "soiled".. for re-use/re-cycle in the shop. They're quite handy for cleaning-up spills or drips.

Roddie. I notice some of those wheels have a "drip" of enamel on them, and will dry that way. When I dip items I usually take them outside and "fling" them around to shake off any excess paint so they don't develop drips. If you have time on your hands, you can also continually rotate the painted item to spread the paint evenly over the surface as it dries, but this can be tedious with slow-drying paint.