What does the community reccommend as being the best metal wheels for the money and what is the best dealer to purchase them from? Also, what is the difference in performance in the different wheel sizes?
Thanks,
Fred
Everyone who uses them will have their own opinions on the best metal wheel sets. So, read all the opinions and then try out those that seem to be voiced as the best by a few people and make up your own mind. My favorites are Proto 2000 wheel sets. I have bought them in bulk sets of a dozen. I like that the treads are very shinny, like the real wheels are on railroad cars. Their price seems to be competative and I have found them to fit all the cars I’ve put them on. However, when a car kit (I only have kits) comes with their own metal wheels, I use them. Wheel size has nothing to do with performance. Larger wheels are used on specific cars, so you need to know what size the prototype comes with.
Best is a subjective judgement. What would you say to a person who asked: “I just got a driver license, which is the best brand of car”?
I use Intermountain and I am happy with them. Others prefer different brands.
This topic comes up often. As such, I saw Intermountain recommended a bunch and went with those and have been pleased. As others have stated, this will be very subjective as the previous posters have noted and many will recommend others for various reasons. What I learned about the different sizes, through reading previous threads, is 33" is normal for freight cars and 36" is normal for passenger cars, though there are some differences out there, and I do not profess to be an expert on any of them. I used the 33", bought in a 100pk, and since look forward to getting the 36" for my heavyweight passenger cars.
One thing you may hear, no pun intended, is some people do not like the noise created by metal wheels. They are considerably louder than plastic.
On a last note, regardless of wheel mfr, I think everyone will agree obtaining a Rebox or MicroMark truck tuner is a must! This will prepare the trucks, removing excess flash and reaming the truck to the proper angles inside the bearing area. I just fixed a squeaky tender yesterday with mine.\
Read responses, take notes and decide what works for you and enjoy!
Duane
I did some price research a few years back, and I ended up buying a large number of Intermountain wheelsets in bulk packs. As I recall, I bought them online somewhere. These have turned out to be fine wheelsets. Like others, I leave existing metal wheelsets in place, but take out the plastic ones.
Since you’re replacing wheelsets, you should get the Micro-Mark Truck Tuner. It’s a small tool that cleans out the bearing surfaces of your trucks. This simple gadget makes your wheels roll much better, so you get the full value out of the metal wheelsets. As I said, it’s a small tool, so find someplace to keep it and always put it back when you’re done. It’s an easy thing to lose.
Fred,
I primarily use Proto 2000 33" wheel sets on my rolling stock and have been very happy with them. I generally buy them in the 12-pack from M.B. Klein or at my LHS.
The only truck they haven’t worked as well in are the Kadee metal trucks, which I have on a NYC caboose. (I may try either some Kadee wheel sets or IM wheel sets to see if that doesn’t improve things.) It may be that I’ll just have to add a small drop of Labelle #108 in the journal cones, like I did on my Overland brass caboose.
Tom
Thanks Guys. When tuning the trucks, do you use any lube afterwords?
Fred
For plastic trucks, I’ve never had to use any lubricant. Also, I only tune trucks when, once installed, a gentle flick of my index finger only keeps the wheel spinning <5 seconds. 5-10 seconds I consider “acceptable”. Less than that and I rotate the truck tuner tool in the journal cone a couple of rotations and run the test again.
Tom
I don’t. It’s actually more likely to attract crud and reduce performance.
A little late to the party, but I only post after work.
As already stated many people have different opinions on metal wheel sets. Most replacement wheels are good. I’d like to put in a word for my favorite wheels Reboxx. One advantage is that they make different axle lengths and have a chart on their site in order to know which wheels to purchase for which truck manufacturer.
Good Luck, Derek
In addition to above, consider the $25 or less digital calipers from MicroMark to compare axle lengths of original to replacement. I found the P2K axle length too long for my grandson’s Bachmann set replacements, for instance. I use the Intermountain 33" for most but the P2Ks in some cases as well. I rely on a rollout test extending past my 2.4 percent grade on my layout as the comparative test.
Here’s a prior link with additional info:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/207411.aspx
Along with wheelset choice (metal vs other) also consider how you prep and clean your track, as these work together to affect performance.
Good luck.