c clips with a thin groove dremeled on the axle is lighter,never come off, and much harder to see.just cut the groove carefully and make sure the c clip has to be snapped down into the groove with pliers. works for me,cheaper too. oh yeah more of the axle can be dremeled off also as the clips are very thin compared to collars and this enhances the look of the wheel while saving weight.

Excellent, I love tips like this.

I have used push-nuts in place of wheel collars several times. The one problem is that they are very difficult to remove but how often do we remove wheel collars?

You can also wrap a piece of wire around the axle on the inside of the wheel a couple of times and then solder it to the axle. Saves a collar and reduces weight also!

I usually solder a washer on each side of the wheel, especially tailwheels where collars just never seem to work well. Ever since I first saw the clips on Robart landing gear struts I have thought these would be great to use instead of collars but I always assumed that it would take more sophisticated equipment to do it right.

I've seen too many one wheel missing landings to be enthusiastic about wheel collars. I always solder washers on both sides of the wheels. Been doing this for years and have never lost a wheel due to the wheel collar falling off. One way is to cut the axle the width of the wheel plus the thickness of the washer + 1/64". Then punch a hole in 1/64" plywood or a calling card. Slip it on the axle between the washer and the wheel and solder the washer in place. Remove the 1/64" spacer and you have a free rolling wheel with a smooth finish on the washer which is very unobtrusive.

OK, I will ask the dumb question. What are C clips and where do you get them. I hate the wheel collars because the Allen wrench set screw is never a standard size and always strips out.

Believe me, the set screw IS a standard size, imperial or metric. It is a case of getting the correct size hex key.

"c" clips are 'C' shaped clips that click into a circular slot cut around diameter of a circular rod. If the slot is cut too deep the clips will fall out, if not deep enough they will break while trying to force them in.

Ed S

They may all a standard size but they don't always if my standard wrenches.

For those who insist on using wheel collars, here's a tip that could be helpful:

Replace the setscrew with a regular hex head cap screw. That way you can really torque down the wheel collar and it won't come off unless you want it to. No need for threadlocker, yet easily removable.

For 5/32" collars, a 6-32 screw fits. For 1/16" collars, 4-40 screw fits. You can get 1/4" lengths at Micro Fasteners, or just dremel them to size.

It'll add a little weight, but you'll never lose a wheel again.

Must admit, tho' I like the c clip idea. Have to give it a try.

The only thing the wheel collar is good for is to act as a fence for cutting the groove with the dremel. To get a perfectly cut groove, place the wheel collar on the axle so that the outer edge is at the point that you want the c-clip to be, then tighten the set screw in the collar. You now have a perfectly square fence to let the cut off wheel rest against while you cut the groove.

I agree with Ed that the screws are standard sizes, but I have had the same experience with the stripping. My conclusion is that not all wheel collars are alike, and some just have cheap crummy set screws (too much slop). Usually you can replace them with either good set screws, or hex head cap screws. At the tiny sizes, the screw should be really really snug on your allen wrench.

Do you mean snap ring. In the shape of a C with a hole at each end? And you would use snap ring pliers to install and remove, is this right?????

512,
I'm pretty sure that's what he's talking about.

I buy good quality wheel collars and haven't had any trouble with either getting them to stay on or with stripped set screws. Of course, you also need good quality hex wrenches! Some of the less expensive hex keys round off a little and cause the screw to strip.
Dennis-

I use a cotter pin for retaining the wheel. Take a torch and heat the very end of the landing gear orange hot and slowly remove heat and brush it back and forth to slow the cooling process. Use a wet rag or any thing to make a heatsink so you only anneal the last 1/4 inch or so. Then drill a hole in the gear for a small cotter pin.

I usually crank the set screw down just before the set screw dfeels like it will strip and then add a drop of CA in the gap of the collar and axle. Viola! Have not lost a wheel yet!

I think they are actually called "E" clips!!

Great tips. I thread mine for about 3/8" and use Nyloc nuts

i always wondered why they didn't just tap a hole in the end of axle and use a button-head screw to hole wheel on. i'll have to make a set and post some pics.....hmmm maybe i should patent it?[8D]

Another wheel collar idea that's neat and simple (albeit more difficult to remove) is using one side of an eyelet (small, like you'd use for shoe laces) soldered on to the axle. The portion of the eyelet you want to use is the side that gets compressed; position it on the axle so the face of the eyelet is against the wheel and you have a nice brass wear surface for the wheel to spin against. The shoulder of the eyelet keeps the whole affair square with the axle while you're soldering it so you're not fumbling around with (as you do with a small washer) trying to keep it positioned while holding a soldering iron and solder.

Sam

Here is how I keep my wheels from coming off.

The first photo is a piece of 5/32" wire.
The second photo you can see what it is.

Good Luck

Lee

Cool Tips...

I use shoulder bolts and two lock nuts. Throw a wheel in your pocket (to get the right size) and stop at ACE hardware. Last time I bought "axles" they were 12 cents a piece, and the nuts were 4 cents a piece. Been using this method for 5 years now. Tough and solid and best of all cheap and easy.

I found that a small piece of fuel tubing fits great after the collar and will prevent the collar from falling off during flight should its retaining screw come loose.

great ideas, This is a c-clip or better known as a E-clip he is refurring too.

Dauntae