I was just finishing up a Pica 1/6 T28. I have my little plastic Robart strut covers on the 5/32 piano wire gear. They are all painted white and looking good. I put my lite wheels on and BAM! There is only about 1/8 inch of axle left. Not enough room for a wheel collar. The wheel collar is hanging half off.
I was thinking about cutting a groove around the axle and using a "c" clip. Any ideas???

You could solder a piece of hard brass tubing over the existing axle to make an extention which will allow you to install a slightly drilled out wheel collar. You'll also need to drill out the wheels to match the size of the tubing.

Or, you can ditch your existing wheels and buy a set of Robarts in the same size. The wheel collar his held internally which should give you plenty of axle length.

John

You can also use a dremel and sand down the wheel thickness in middle. sand it down enough to be able to get your wheel collar on.

Hi you could also solder a washer to the end of the Axel to hold the wheel on! Use a piece of heavy card stock as a heat shield so you don't damage the wheel!

regards
Mark

the ideas. Its kind of gutsy to brainstorm in public like that and I would like to thank you all.
I actually tried my idea of grooving the axle and using "C" clips. I must say it worked like a charm even with hand tools. Except, they aren't called "C" clips after all, they are called "E" clips. They are 13 cent a piece at Ace Hardware. I think they might even be better than wheel collars.
At work today, I ordered 300 assorted "E" clips. I didn't know what size I needed and the smallest assortment was 300. Sooooooooooo, if anybody needs some 'E" clips......................they will be here Wednesday. LOL

I have a big smile on face over this one.

kingwoodbarney, you did do a gutsy thng coming forward and asking the question.

It looks like you went with your idea any way and now are attempting to corner the "E" clip market

Good luck on those tight turns.

Looks like you have a good solution but here is another option...get yourself one of the old Kraft wheels in the size you need. These wheels use a single wheel collarlocated inside the hub. Great design just wish "Kraft" still made them.
Rob

I run into this quite often. I use a small washer with a hole diam very close to the axle and install one on the inside and outside of the wheel. I get everything in position and dab JB Weld on the outer side of the washer making sure the washers remain vertical and no JB get on the other side of the washer. I do it all the time on the inside to make sure the wheel doesn't run up the axle. I later install more JB after 1st layer dried. Sometimes I notch the axle with a small jewelers file to make sure it remains in place. Actually it looks better than a big goooooobery old collar.

"E-Clips!"...

"E-Clips here!"

Get 'em while they're hot!