1960's and 1970's vehicles Poll #2

[Rasputen]

It looks like I need a new topic in order to have a second poll on the same subject, unless I change the original poll entirely.

Assuming you are interested in buying unpainted resin kits of 1960's and 1970's vehicles, how complete do you need the kit to be, in terms of steering wheels and axles for the wheels?

Regarding axles, I find it easier to control the track width and keep the wheels nice and square by mounting them to an axle made of wire or plastic rod.  Then the axle/wheels can be fitted to the vehicle as a unit.  If I were to try to cast a stub axle at each corner as part of the chassis, these would be very fragile (and I would probably goof them up).

Regarding steering wheels, I don't think that casting them in place is a good idea, as they would end up as just a lump.  Would you be willing to bend up your own out of brass wire if I made a little instruction sheet?  Do you want a piece of small diameter brass wire included, or are you happy to find your own materials??  Road Apples made some etched stainless steering wheels, but something like those would add a lot of expense, and they are pretty difficult to work with (in my opinion).

[Kisatchie]

I voted to have the vehicles completely ready, (poll choice #1) even if it costs more. I just have too much other stuff to do than try to fabricate steering wheels, etc.


Hmm... Kiz is always
fabricating lies about
how much bananas cost...

[TiVoPrince]

Since  
I would be using them in a variety of situations I prefer to DIY as 70% of the time thins like steering wheels will go unnoticed...

[packers#1]

I voted for the raw materials; it's easier to just have them with the kit, for me, than acquiring them seperately

[peteski]

The only important thing for me is the see-through windows and "glass" included. Interior is nice but not a deal breaker. Nor is the steering wheel.

Rolling wheels (on metal axles are totally irrelevant! The wheels could be molded as part of the undercarriage and I would be fine with that. Come on, how often do you push N scale cars around your layout going "WROOM, WROOM"?     Plus not having all those extras will keep the cost down. 

[TiVoPrince]

<snip>
Come on, how often do you push N scale cars around your layout going "WROOM, WROOM"?
</snip>

Not 
every single day.  But probably more often than you might think...

[Burlington Bob]

Actually I would like to see them offered as a basic "background" car and as a more detailed car that would look good towards the front of the layout.

By peteski;

Come on, how often do you push N scale cars around your layout going "WROOM, WROOM"?   

You don't?

[peteski]

Actually I would like to see them offered as a basic "background" car and as a more detailed car that would look good towards the front of the layout.

By peteski;

You don't?

I'm already pretty happy with the trains running around the layout. I didn't think of pushing the automobiles around.... 

[Catt]

I'm already pretty happy with the trains running around the layout. I didn't think of pushing the automobiles around.... 

Your THAT old allready?

[Rasputen]

The axles I am planning on providing are there to help position the wheels and keep the proper track.  They won't allow the wheels to rotate unless you mount them inside a tube or bushings.

[peteski]

The axles I am planning on providing are there to help position the wheels and keep the proper track.  They won't allow the wheels to rotate unless you mount them inside a tube or bushings.

Does this mean that you'll need to make 2-part molds for the wheels (to mold the axle hole in them)?  That adds to the complexity (and price?)  Or if you are planning on the modeler drilling the axle holes, that will be a pain in the butt for the modeler.  If you molded wheels as a part of underbody/interior part then a single 2-part mold would produce the underbody/interior and properly aligned wheels, all in a single casting.  I don't understand this need for axles in N scale static vehicles.

[cfritschle]

I generally put the wheels on axles for most the pewter and resin kits I buy if it is at all practical.  I frequently want to place a vehicle on the layout where it is not flat enough for all four wheels touch the ground.  I usually cut a slot to hold the axle and then thin styrene strip to keep the axles from falling out if a move the vehicle.  It gives the vehicle a suspension of sorts.
 
But I do like rolling wheels too, unless I am trying to place the vehicle on a slop.   

Carter

[peteski]

I generally put the wheels on axles for most the pewter and resin kits I buy if it is at all practical.  I frequently want to place a vehicle on the layout where it is not flat enough for all four wheels touch the ground.  I usually cut a slot to hold the axle and then thin styrene strip to keep the axles from falling out if a move the vehicle.  It gives the vehicle a suspension of sorts.
 
Carter

In these situations I just sand the bottom of one (or more) of the other wheels until all 4 touch the ground. I the sanded bottoms are not visible (unless the unevenness was extreme).  I've done that even in some of my larger, 1:24 scale vehicles. I didn't realize that many modelers preferred having axles in their N scale vehicles. Live and learn...

[johnh35]

Not concerned about an interior or steering wheel, but axles cut to length is good

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I like kits. I think raw material. I may want a slightly different exle length then someone else for example.