Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

If anyone out there has nay experience with these wheels,I can use a hand. Here is the dilemna.The wheels come with brass inserts which fit the Tamiya axles fine.Instruction manual says to use stock tamiya bushings and axels to asssemble the wheels.Problem being the axles do not comes through far enough to install them into the swing arms.Even if the did, the road wheels would sit too far out and through the track alignment off...well, not so muchoff as the tracks would never go on in the first place. I included a few pics of the wheels if anyone can chime in.
</p>

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

If your having trouble mounting them on a Tiger, I guess there is no way they are going to work on the Panther without a major hassle. All they seem to be are turned dishes with cast caps and wheel hubs.. Not much to them really, construction wise. $200+ dollars and your having to "figure out" how to get them on the tank they are supposed to fit..

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Thanks for the calming words brother. i am about to buy a plane ticket to germany and kick someone in the nuts. It's not a matter of figutring. I have the PDF file for installation, which is pretty simple on paper. problem is there is no way in hell that these things are going to work as the paper states. Only thing I can see here is drilling the wheel out to fit the bearings in and then mount them. Still, not somethign I feel I should have to do after paying all the cash. I am trying to find someone here who has experience with these wheels. My luck would be that they changed the design and nothing I have will work. if that's the case the Tiger will be used as a target next time I go to the range and the wheels will be sitting in a bag in my parts box...this is rediculous!

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Their are three different length axels for the Tamiya tiger 1 outer wheels, inter wheels and the idlers if that helps anyhttp://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f.../sad_smile.gif

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Yep, I know the axles lengths are different. I wish that was the problem...

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

send an email to Wechoe. Describe the problem and send pictures. i am sure they will help you.

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

If memory serves me, which it doesn't very often, these wheels are designed for the WECOHE Panther. Which is an animal all it's own.That would explain why nothing will line up. They where never actually designed for a Tamiya tank. I should have remembered this awhile ago Joe sorry brother. I have a buddy who may be able to do whatever machining that will be needed to make them work, if that helps. But he is in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan so we have the ship and wait problem. Not to mention he's buried under 3 feet of snow at the moment.

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

if you check WECOHE site ther are 3 diffrent sets Panther, Tiger 1 and King Tiger

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Well, these are what I ordered. I can see that they are not what I was led to believe they are. I emailed Wecohe about this and am waiting to see what they are going to tell me. I expected more.
http://www.wecohe.de/shop/index.php?...roducts_id=140

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

It says you need TAM0038 to complete under your road wheels,

http://www.wecohe.de/shop/images/dec...etlaufwerk.jpg
http://www.wecohe.de/shop/index.php?...roducts_id=141
Did you order those to?</p>

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

I'm an idiot.
I missed in your pics that you did have the other parts.

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Yep, got those parts too. they needed a bit of cleaning up, which I don't mind so much, but these wheels are not what I expected. I went ahead and installed them without the bushings from teh Tamiya kit. They are ok, as in they do work, but I am unhappy with the fact that they are not as advertised. The site says use with stock tamiya axles and bearings. Not possible. If anyone out there is lookign to buy this set, i honestly think they are a bit overpriced for a wheel that comes with a bushing thruogh it instead of bearings, but they are the only game in town i guess.

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Here's the product installed if anyone cares LOL

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Well, I kind of care, somewhat.. So what did you end up doing to get them installed on the tank? You said you installed them without using the Tamiya stock bushings. Did you install them with no bushing or bearing, just the bare axle through the wheels? At least they look ok once they are on the tank. How they actually function though is equally or more important.

Thanks for sharing your experience with these "premium" wheels. Maybe someone can shed some light on your problem with them. I know there are a few guys on this forum that say they have them on their Tigers.. The information about them on the Wecohe site is next to nothing, like you've found out.

I have noticed there are a lot of "only games in town" in regards to this hobby..

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Try an email to Uli at Wecohe? You may not get a response right away I just received an email from him stating that there is some sort of problem with Telephones and the INternet over there so they have intermittent communications. I have always had great communications with them and they usually will send a "PDF" file to you about the product with drawings. I am doing a Tamiya Panther G and I bought a set of wheels out of Poland everything fits but the axles just make the set screw in the Tamiya arms, not too much to my liking and communications with the Vendor are sporadic at the least but they do fit and the quality of the wheel is very good. My 2 cents worth.

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Guys, i do appreciate the feedback and comments. I have sent an email telling them that I am not very happy about these parts, for the amount of money I spent. Anyway, I know that some guys have these wheels and they did not come with bushings, as mine did. Something has changed..maybe the quality of their parts?

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

from the first post it looks like the bushings are already instaled

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Yes Viper, that is correct. The wheels came with bushings installed. I was plannign to use bearings and if you read the add on Wecohe site, it sates the wheels need the Tamiya axles and bearings to install them. I was planning to use bearings from Mitosal for the install, instead of the stock Tamiya bushings. The fact that they already had bushings in the wheels defeats the purpose of spending this much for a set of wheels that will not take a bearing.

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Well, here is Wecohe's emailed response to me. I told them that I am not happy with the amount of detail that these wheels offer for the money. seeing as they only include enough inner parts of wheel detail for seome of the wheels.


<div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff">Hello Joseph</font></span></div><div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff"></font></span> </div><div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff">Sorry for the late answer, we have no Phone and Internet until Saturday. So we cant answer just in time.</font></span></div><div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff">Your ordered a Tiger 1 late road wheel set that use the standard Tamiya axle. In case of customer has</font></span></div><div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff">to damage the early road wheels to get the bushings, we change the construction a little bit.</font></span></div><div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff">You don't need the Tamiya bushings. We press in bushings and you have a RTR wheel. So don't </font></span></div><div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff">use extra bushings. All outer wheels are equal in case of minimize cost. All wheels are type 1</font></span></div><div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff">so you can glue in dishes or let it be. This is the only difference between the wheels.</font></span></div><div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff"></font></span> </div><div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff">If you need more information's, feel free to contact me.</font></span></div><div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff"></font></span> </div><div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff">Best Regards</font></span></div><div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff"></font></span> </div><div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff">Uli</font></span></div><div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff"></font></span> </div><div><span class="yiv1136118113265420517-14122010"><font face="Arial" size="2" color="#0000ff">PS: we have to change the instruction</font></span></div>

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

When I decided to make a late Tiger I about five years ago, there weren't any aftermarket roadwheels available, (or maybe the Wecohe ones were out at that time, but I couldn't afford them). I decided to follow one of the how-to articles on making your own out of Tamiya KT and Tiger I parts - lots of them, as it turned out. They came out well, but it was a lot of effort on my part, and I worry that they won't hold up over time.

When Asiatam came out with their Schmallturm, I felt I would finally be able to build a Panther F; but then I was faced with problem of finding late roadwheels, again. I decided to save myself the headaches and buy a set of the Wecohe steel wheels for this build. (This is the same set as you have, I believe, only with different center hubs). When I finally got them in hand, I wasn't happy with the bushings either, but didn't have a way to modify the wheels to accept bearings myself. I eneded up contracting with Daryl Turner to do the work, and they turned out - as everything he makes turns out - perfect. I am now happy with the wheels, but like you; am disappointed that you neep to jump through hoops and spend extra money to wind up with decent wheels. I believe that Wecohe ought to offer an option for either bushings or already-installed bearings in their wheels. It would be easier for them to do the extra maching steps required as they're making the wheels, than it is for customers to find someone capable of doing the work after-the-fact.

-Mike

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Well, i am sure i could send my wheels to Daryl as well. My point beig the same as yours...why should I have to spend more money on them? they should have come as advertised and honestly, I do not believe they are worth the money. The finish is nice and the 1-piece design is nice, but that's where it stops being nice. Jus the fact that they don't supply enough caps to do the inside of every wheels is rediculous to me. ell, for that money, they should at least come with all the parts. I would hope they are willing to send me those missing parts at least. If not, then I really do not have much else to say about Wecohe...I'll let you guys draw your own conclusions.

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

and end mill and a drill press is all you need to make the bearings work

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Hello over there

Sorry if my English is not perfect, I´m a little bit older.

If we respond not in a short time to questions, two things are given. No Internet like the last days, or I have to travel with my real job.
A lot of you now the name Heike. It´s my wife and manage the office and ship the parts. But she is not able to answer deep technical questions.
If a customer wish to have a special, like ball bearings in a wheel, we can prepare a set of wheels without a changed price. If we dont know it,
we cant do it. We try to give a good service, if we known whats the problem like Rodger reports. It´s also no problem, to ask several questions
before order parts. In case of the shipping cost to the States, we are not happy, if the customer has problems.

Something is not able in Europe, make very cheap parts like Chinese suppliers. I write it to Joseph why that´s not work.
I know, a lot of people think, small series supplier will be get ritch with here parts. Forgett it! The work for drawings, masters, moulds and parts
worth not the money we earn. After selling xxx parts it will be equal or we get a little bit more, but we have to invest in new stuff, so it starts again.

So our opinion is, a lucky customer is the best we can get.



Best Regards

Uli

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

I have spoken with Joe numerous times on this trans action and he most certainly DID tell WECOHE that he intended too use the BEARINGS from Mitosol, so this excuse of not specifying his intention is false. He has posted many times on this forum his intention from the beginning including questions on where to purchase the bearings. So that should put to rest their issue of him not ordering the correct part. WECOHE simply paid no attention too the 3 communications Joe had with them prior to purchasing the wheels. Not to mention the 25 DAYS for them to deliver the product to him. 25 Days? That is a little much isn't it from such a long established company?

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

25 DAYS *** !http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...n/punching.gif

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Well guys, I have communicate with Uli through email on and off all day. He as very professional and gave me some insight into the issues I had with the wheels. I have them installed and tested the tank out. I understand why he re-designed them with the sleeve bushings. I want to say that though it doesn't have ball bearings, it is extremely smooth and drives alot better now. I am happy. My Tiger 1 is happy...all is well. Thanks to everyone here for responding and giving me some help with this thing. This tank has been a source of frustration for over a yar now, and I finally have it where it should be.

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Glad to hear you got it all sorted out.

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

After the dust has settled ( or mostly so ) on this I have a question regarding bearings and wish to go on record regarding my personal experience with Wecohe.

Uli and his wife have always been forthright and honest in my dealings with them. I've spent quite a bit with them. Their products to me have always been just as shown and advertised. As for delivery times they've always delivered when they said they would; the key is to ask when that will be. As my interest with them has been
their 1:10 scale product line I'm always just grateful to have a supplier at all however that is just me. I feel Wecohe is a first rate seller.

Secondly, why the love affair with ball bearings for road wheels? It is my opinion Bronze bearings are ast least as accurate in that application, less expensive ( generally), easier to clean and just as easy to swap out when required. I can't imagine the resistance to rolling is that much less with ball bearings to justify the cost. If you say that a ball bearing runs very accurately AND freely at room temps I doubt it is more accurate than a well running bronze bearing. I could see a ball bearing having a longer life if its seals remain intact but shorter if not. On the whole I don't see the justification for additional cost for a tank.

Most all my 1:10 scale models run bronze wheel bearings; the oldest are quite old and have seen many miles.

This being said I just modified the road wheels on a rebuild of an old Tamiya Sherman just to see how these will work and I happened to have several hundred
5mm bearings with no place to go.. I doubt I'll notice any difference most of the time over a model with other types of bearings.

Jerry

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Glad everything work out Wecohe products look awsome and we need more quality vendors in this hobby hope they get the shipping problems worked out hell i shipped a small box to Italy for less than $14 and it will be their in 3-6 dayshttp://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...sn/biggrin.gif

Ed

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Some of us have run into the problem where the four corner road wheels (with bushings) gall the bushing for some reason, then lock up.

While I think there is an underlying problem that causes that issue, ball bearings wouldn't exhibit the same problem.

You are right, realistically bushings should (and do) hold up very well in these applications. But in the same breath, I can't think of any non-pressure lubricated bushings that are designed for continuous use, at least not in a crucial/weight bearing capacity. Necessary in these applications? Not highly likely. Something to say you've done, check. :)

At the price most of these small bearings are, and the origin of them, I have to question how "true" they are anyways. They may be ball bearings, it doesn't necessarily mean they are good ball bearings. I'm sure some that you can buy are indeed good quality. Based on prior dealings with cheap mechanical stuff though, I'm not willing to bet all you can buy are decent.

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Well, as I stated previously, my issue was more so the fact that the instructions stated one thing and the wheels that arrived were another thing. I agree with Tamque that the bushings are quality parts and should never give any trouble. In fact, on this scale, perhaps they are better than some small bearings.All I know for sure is that after a very long time, I finally have late wheels installed that will never simply fall apart while on the field. This in itself makes me happy.

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

LOL if you do I could show you around abit I use to live in Friedberg, which by seeing Uli's post is the next town over from Florstadt Ive been to that town many many times.

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

LOL, thanks for the invite! I was a bit out of line there. I apologize for that one. As I said, this project has been a source of frustration for a very long time now.

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

I am with you on this one. I don't see the need for ball bearings. It is the same thing with metal tracks in this scale, but I change all mine to metal. I am guessing to the guys that upgrade to Ball bearings, it is important to them. I am not in that camp, but I respect their opinion on it, and their desire to do it. Different strokes for different folks.

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Dan, I am not disagreeing with Tanque. I too feel that the bushings will suffice. That is not what my complaint was about. Not really.
Didn't you install bearings in the Mato Sherman?

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

There is a big difference in the quality of "Bushings " used. the bushings in these wheels are Sintered Bronze bushings. Much harder than the standard Brass bushing in the Tamiya kits. These Sintered bushings will run much smother than brass and last as long as bearings. Now, there is also a great difference in the quality of Bearings. Mine are Teflon sealed. they will last forever, or atleast as long as the tank does. Some of the cheaper E=Bay bearings use a steel seal or no seal at all. these will not last any longer than the brass bushings and can actually wear faster as moisture can get in them and KILL them. So buy good quality bushings or bearings.

RE: Wecohe Wheels arrived...HELP...
 

Only in the idlers. It was then when I asked myself, "Is this really neccesary"

Dan