Metal Wheels

[DocGeoff]

Gang,
I decided to take the plunge and start replacing plastic wheels with metal. But, come to find out, metal wheels are not available. At least the Fox Valley metal wheels. I haven't found an online dealer that has 100 packs in stock. In fact George told me that Fox Vally has even stopped answering his emails when he inquires as to when they can fill his orders.
So, is there another brand as good as the elusive Fox Valley wheels? Are they available. Price comparable?
I ordered FVM-3301-100  33" Wheel with .540" axle (100 pack)and wanted a coupe of 100 packs, 3 if available.
Who's in the know?

[Chris333]

Fox Valley sold out quick the first time and it didn't take long for them to re-stock. Looks like they have sold out again, but I would wait. They are worth the wait, they are that good!!!  They are a newer company and I believe the wheels have only been around for about a year.

I say wait 

[sundowner]

FVM wheels sell out quick but they are worth every pennie. Just keep an eye out at FRT, BLW, and MB Kleins, since they all carry them. You might have to start with the 12 packs untill the 100 packs are available again. I use both 33" and 36" wheels and can't wait for them to do 28" wheels for my MT tri level autoracks.

[John]

Gang,
I decided to take the plunge and start replacing plastic wheels with metal. But, come to find out, metal wheels are not available. At least the Fox Valley metal wheels. I haven't found an online dealer that has 100 packs in stock. In fact George told me that Fox Vally has even stopped answering his emails when he inquires as to when they can fill his orders.
So, is there another brand as good as the elusive Fox Valley wheels? Are they available. Price comparable?
I ordered FVM-3301-100  33" Wheel with .540" axle (100 pack)and wanted a coupe of 100 packs, 3 if available.
Who's in the know?

Don't know George .. but Chuck seems to have various flavors in stock .. www.featherrivertrains.com

MB Kleins also shows them in stock .. www.modeltrainstuff.com

[DocGeoff]

Look again. All the 33" Micro Trains wheels are out of stock. As are the 36".

[Chulvis]

Geoff: I spoke to Fox Valley on Friday. They should be back in stock around the first of the year. There will be plenty to go around.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Sweet!

FVM's stuff are awesome. I was quite dismayed this past weekend to find them oos too. I wanted to convert my fleet of Atlas 90 tonners. They got the Atlas Lo-Pro's instead, but maybe not for long... they really ARE that good.

[Pomperaugrr]

They are worth the wait!  I still have 1 each of 100 packs of: 33" for MT, 33" for Atlas and 36" for MT on hand, as Im converting everything I have to FVM.  I've gone through (5) 100 packs so far.  I still need to get a 100 pack of 36" for Atlas, as I have hoppers and tank cars to convert.
I've only found 2 wheelsets to be out of gauge, out of the 500 installed so far.

These wheelsets have become very popular, and for good reason.  The appearance and operating reliability is outstanding.   

Eric

[John]

Any suggestions on what to use for the MDC husky stacks?

[DKS]

Just ordered (and received) bunches from BLW. All in stock, at least as of a couple of weeks ago.

[asciibaron]

i have 26 cars with 33" wheels.  a 100 pack only gets me to 25 - anyone have 4 to spare? ;D

how do i know if i need .563 or .553 axles for my Atlas trucks...

-steve

[mavrick0]

I haven't ordered any yet but BLW sells a sampler kit that gives you a few sets of each wheel size and length so you can check exactly what you need otherwise get a set of digital calipers and measure point to point to get the length.

[bsoplinger]

how do i know if i need .563 or .553 axles for my Atlas trucks...

Without being a wise a$$ about it…

You measure the axle.

Harbor Freight and other places often have 6" digital calipers with a metal body on sale for under 20 bucks. Worth having for all sorts of other things, they can come in handy for many different measurements. I'm sure if you really want a caliper and post here, folks can find you a bargain somewhere, I'm just feeling too lazy myself right now to do it. (I know I got a 4" and 6" metal body from Harbor Freight for under 15 each just by waiting for the appropriate sale.)

[qantaqa]

check out www.grizzly.com for some good deals on calipers and the like...  such as:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Magnetic-Base-Dial-Indicator-Caliper-Combo-pk-/H3022

use the dial indicator for checking out-of-round on wheelsets or tool setup or something

cheers (with real homemade eggnog)!