Protecting wheels

2529 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by McNab, Nov 25, 2006

Peter_Harvey

Discussion Starter · Nov 20, 2006

Can any of the O gauge 7mm modellers answer my question?

What is the easiest way if possible to prevent or lesson the rusting of the wheel sets on O gauge kits (Slaters wheel sets)?

If there is no easy way of doing this is there a company that produces O Gauge wheel sets in Nickel Silver?

Pete

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McNab

· #2 · Nov 24, 2006

Pete,

There has been a lot of correspondence about this in recent issues of the Gauge 0 Guild Gazette. I'll read them again and come back to you with a summary. I don't know of any N/S wheels on the market, but I could be wrong.

My own guess is that Slaters have had a bad batch of steel - very unfortunate for them if true, because none of my wheels have ever rusted. How dry is your railway (or workshop), and have you been soldering near the wheels with an acid flux?

Cheers, Ian.

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Graham Plowman

· #3 · Nov 24, 2006

QUOTE (Peter_Harvey @ 20 Nov 2006, 17:31) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Can any of the O gauge 7mm modellers answer my question?

What is the easiest way if possible to prevent or lesson the rusting of the wheel sets on O gauge kits (Slaters wheel sets)?

If there is no easy way of doing this is there a company that produces O Gauge wheel sets in Nickel Silver?

Pete

I've had this on steel wheelsets from a variety of manufacturers.
Rubbing a little Peco Electrolube into the surface seems to prevent the problem for me.

Graham Plowman

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Peter_Harvey

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 24, 2006

Thanks Graham I will give that a go.

Peter

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Brian Considine

· #5 · Nov 24, 2006

My LGB stock that is used outside has steel wheels that have rusted well & have shiny rims so that they look excellent.

I would have thought that rust in the right place was a bonus LOL.

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McNab

· #6 · Nov 25, 2006

Pete,

Having read through all the letters in the Gazette there doesn't seem to be a sure-fire solution, and there's support for what has already been posted here. Graham's Electrolube (or Clock Oil, but not 3-in-1), and Brian's "rust in the right place" are both mentioned. Regular running with a good load keeps the treads shiny, and helps keep the rails clean too.

Slaters say that the most frequent cause of rusting is acid fumes - even soldering in the same room as steel wheels will do it. This has never been a problem for me - I use Wallsall's cast iron wheels as well as Slaters steel ones, but I do cover everything up as much as possible when soldering.

Forgot to mention that coach and wagon wheels are available in brass, but for driving wheels cast iron and steel are almost universal. Stainless Steel slips, and Nickel plating wears through.

If your problem is indoors, try an ordinary domestic fan - wall mounted, high up, 24 hours a day every day - works wonders killing humidity.

Good luck!

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