wheel collars
 

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.

RE: wheel collars
 

Excellent, I love tips like this.

RE: wheel collars
 

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?

RE: 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!

RE: wheel collars
 

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.

RE: wheel collars
 

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.

RE: wheel collars
 

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.

RE: wheel collars
 

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

RE: wheel collars
 

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

RE: wheel collars
 

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.

RE: wheel collars
 

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.

RE: wheel collars
 

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.

RE: wheel collars
 

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?????

RE: wheel collars
 

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-

RE: wheel collars
 

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.

RE: wheel collars
 

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!;)

RE: wheel collars
 

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

RE: wheel collars
 

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

RE: wheel collars
 

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:eek: maybe i should patent it?[8D]

RE: wheel collars
 

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

RE: wheel collars
 

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

RE: wheel collars
 

Cool Tips...
:D

RE: wheel collars
 

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.

http://www.spadtothebone.com/misc/axlebolt.jpg

RE: wheel collars
 

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.

RE: wheel collars
 

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

Dauntae

RE: wheel collars
 

Collars is the way to go. With a Dremel tool cut a flat notch on the axle wide enough for the set screw to fit in. Put Loctite on the set screw and tighten it just until it touches the bottom of the notch. The set screw is now locked to the axle. Removing the set screw is now easier since you did not jam it to the axle and possible damage the allen wrench.

RE: wheel collars
 

I've been using "E" clips for a few years now.
Nothing compares to the ease and security.

RE: wheel collars
 

pilotFighter....I like the "E" clip idea and want to try it. I think Lowe's sells the clips. For a 5/32 diameter axle what clip do you recommend and what diameter is the required groove? I don't know how clips are sized or how the required diameter is stated/detemined. Thanks for your help.

RE: wheel collars
 

I usually solder a washer on inside of wheel rather than use a wheel collar, so just solder one on outside also. Cut axle off flush and you have a neat setup. Use one of those aluminum wheel collars, that do not work well, slide it on axle for a guide to keep the washer square with axle, solder will not stick to aluminum. Also use a thick paper shim (file folder material) between the washer and wheel for spacing.

RE: wheel collars
 

There are some great ideas here and I will be giving some of them a try. I like the simple ideas the best. The cotter key in hole will work for sure as that is what keeps my lawnmower wheel on. It would also be easy to remove the wheel if you need to because all you would need is pliers.

RE: wheel collars
 

All this is very entertaining, but I've used Dubro collars for 30+ years and NEVER lost a wheel collar that I've installed. The secret? Buy the Higley wheel collar wrench. It is tool steel, not the soft stuff they give you in the collar bag, and it's a T handle for torque. I tighten the collar, then remove it and check the axle. If the set screw didn't leave a mark, the axle is too hard. When that happens, I grab a fine-point Sharpie and put a collar with no set screw in place. Mark the axle thru the set screw hole, remove the collar and use a Dremel to grind a small flat. Install the collar and it'll never come off.

On ARFs, I use the included collars as weights when I need to fish servo wires, and put Dubros on the axles.

E-clips are great for some things - my Quickees use them- but are a PITA for others. I also tend to launch at least one installing them........

RE: wheel collars
 

just a quick question, can you put threads on a music wire landing gear? if you can wouldn't be easier to thread and use a nylock nut? To keep my wheels on my 1/5 scale J3 cub I drilled a hole through the landing gear and use a washer and a piece of safety wire or a cotter pin.