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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Dec 24, 2012 12:27:09 GMT -5
Having now produced all the wheels originally intended, part of the project is now to be wound down. The wheels to suffer will be most of the post-war types. Some will continue for the present since the same parts are used on pre-war wheels.
A final order for post war machined parts is now awaiting delivery; this stock will probably assure the supply of most post-war wheels for at least a year.
Wheels for pre-war cars will remain much the same unless a new body becomes available. There is every intention to continue most pre-war wheels, indeed the range has recently expanded.
Peter.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2012 9:35:51 GMT -5
Peter, do you do a suitable wheel for the Invicta and Frazer-Nash? I would specify those, if you do, when I produce those two models.
Cheers, Martin
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Dec 28, 2012 12:33:51 GMT -5
Hi Martin.
A search through the parts bin shows that these are indeed available.
I am setting out the layout for another fret so can include these parts on it.
The 'Nash wheels (TT Replica?) would at present mean splitting other kits, so perhaps I'll do new parts, simplifying assembly and reducing the cost at the same time. The cost at a guess would be about £22.00 for a kit to make 4 wheels only.
The Invicta wheels (S Type presumably) can be made from variant parts I had made, and can easily be put onto the new fret.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Dec 28, 2012 12:40:34 GMT -5
Re. the post for 12 December.
Regrettably Wayne Allen feels that he cannot now make the tyres mentioned in this post. Technical difficulties are to blame.
Peter.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2012 15:55:38 GMT -5
Peter, I would certainly like to be able to offer those wheels as part of a "superkit", though I would need suitable tyres too. Any suggestions?
Martin
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Dec 28, 2012 18:10:27 GMT -5
Hello again Martin. Wheels for both cars would use 4.5mm wide rims as used on the K3 wheels, a bit over-width for the 'Nash, probably close for the Invicta. The limitation on tyres is whether they will stretch or not. The Scaley Ferrari 375 front tyres are spot on, but the rears are too big and they have no grip anyway. I had tyres made by Vampire, run by Colin Hughes, but he has been ill long term, and is not working at present, though I am trying to re-establish contact. I also had tyres made by Wayne Allen, but he had problems and will not supply further tyres, whilst Paul Gage said that he could not make such 'thin' tyres to his satisfaction. The only tyres which came close to perfect were Graham's tyres as shown towards the bottom of the page. www.gp-miniatures.com/order.htmlThe only problem with these was a slightly concave tread. They performed quite well, but not as good as the Vampire ones. I believe Ortmann do a suitable tyre, but an enquiry a long time ago to RS Slot as to whether they (Ortmanns) would stretch to fit resulted in a non-committal answer. I have not actually tried them, having been put off by reports of tyres splitting when fitted to larger wheels than the tyres were originally designed for. Thoughts? Cheers, Peter.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2012 11:38:43 GMT -5
Peter, since I have no knowledge of any of the tyres you mention and can never get any sense out of RS, the only suggestion I can come up with are those from Gary Harding for fitting to the vintage Scalextric cars like the Bentley, etc. (Assuming he makes any) But they could be a bit big. For the Nash, who knows? Probably something running in a grooved wheel rather than a ridged one and then cut down in width.
Tyres, as ever, are a complete pain.
Martin
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Post by David Lawson on Dec 30, 2012 14:46:20 GMT -5
Martin and Peter
I know Colin Spark personally, as you know he is RS Slot, the distributor for Ortmann tyres in the UK and can say that he is extremely helpful regarding tyre requests but he has told me that he is inundated with all sorts of queries, often quite vaguely described, where people expect him to know every wheel available and what tyre will fit it but he does his best to help.
I don't know where either of you live but if you go to one of the Slot Car swapmeets around the UK he has his complete range set out on his table and it is easy to check your wheels against his tyres. Another good way would also be to send the wheel to him and he can check the suitable tyre or tyres and post it back to you to check before ordering a supply.
I know how helpful he is with Barry Boor who these days lives on Malta and therefore they conduct all business long distance, Colin happily sends examples for Barry to check first.
I find Ortmann tyres do stretch to fit larger diameter wheels but I suspect Colin is cautious about guaranteeing this.
He does do the Scalextric vintage tyre for the Bentley and Alfa Romeo and I used these easily stretched onto the large diameter Penelope Pitlane wheel for my recently finished "BABS" slot car.
Hope this helps.
David
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Dec 30, 2012 18:50:36 GMT -5
David.
The content of the original request (to RS Slot) will not have been vague. Ortmann make a replacement for the Scalextric Sharknose front tyre, the originals of which would stretch to fit; this was the one about which I requested the Ortmann stretching properties.
Martin.
The Scalextric Bentley (etc) tyres are of course for 1/30th scale cars and far too big regarding both diameter and width.
The fitted diameter for the Frazer Nash will be a maximum of 23mm, approx 29" I already have the small supply of suitable tyres as made by Wayne Allen. The problem is that like most tyre makers, a shallow mould was used and no vacuum applied to remove air. A high failure rate thus ensued.
Work on these tyres is still in progress, and if successful, will perhaps be available from the manufacturer.
Peter.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2013 8:11:08 GMT -5
David, we can only speak as we find and I found that Colin was so slow responding that I had to move on. A shame as his range is interesting.
Peter, I thought the vintage Scalex tyres would be too big. it was just a thought for the bigger cars, which, of course, the Nash isn't.
My Bloody Mary model is going to have O-rings on hand made wheels, so will probably disappear down the slot! Unless I try it with hillclimb twins.
Martin
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Post by David Lawson on Jan 1, 2013 10:12:03 GMT -5
Peter
I wasn't implying that your particular request was vague.
Martin
You may speak as you find but to say that you never get any sense out of Colin is a very harsh comment to make. I replied just to try and balance the views and state that many customers have excellent service from RS Slot. Your remark could dissuade people on this forum from considering his products.
I emphasise that I have no commercial connection with Colin.
David
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Jan 27, 2013 16:24:53 GMT -5
A new Special Edition wheel is now being made. Not quite like the normal 'limited edition' there are just three sets now, with more to be done later in the year. Shown on the website, these are based on a restored Alfa 8C35.
I have been asked many times, just what is a 'Special Edition'? As the website states, it is parts no longer needed or parts unsuitable for kits. Most of these parts are spoke etches. Parts no longer needed are generally those which are not used, it's as simple as that. Every fret ordered will have a fixed number of etches, some sell out quickly, others do not. Parts not suitable for kits are etches with blemishes/problems which show up as individual parts, but make no difference in a built up wheel. Most SE wheels come with tyres, these are simply unwanted parts, all new, some sanded and all suitable for the application.
15" wheels. These are down to the last two sets. After that there will be a few sets of etches. I do not intend to make these again.
18" Aston /Jaguar. Again almost exhausted, though it is possible that they may be made again in the future.
18" Talbot Lago have had a sudden demand. A few sets left, but will not be repeated in the next year or two.
19" Borrani. very popular and stocks running down. These will be repeated when stocks run out.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Feb 26, 2013 14:47:06 GMT -5
Requirements for certain wheels as ever are unfortunately not in line with supply and no doubt never will be.
19" Mercedes and Auto Union are out of stock. 19" Alfa Romeo/Maserati are out of stock.
There is every intention to do a further run of these wheels before the summer is out.
18" Talbot Lago are out of stock. May be repeated.
15" are no longer available.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Apr 13, 2013 15:31:24 GMT -5
Revised wheel catalogue.
Anyone who has viewed the website in recent times will have noticed the large number of wheels listed as 'out of stock'. This situation will slowly be resolved though unfortunately availibility will become more erratic, with just a few wheel types proposed for permanent stock. Availibility will now be determined by expected demand, thus the first wheels back in stock will be the Mercedes and Auto Union types. A new etching company is being used, and if they work out, a new fret will be ordered with parts for K3 MG, SSKL Mercedes, late P3 Alfa Romeo, and Junk Formula Indy cars.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Apr 17, 2013 8:29:01 GMT -5
Mercedes and Auto Union back in stock!
These popular wheels are now available again.
A new fret will include wheels for K3 MG, P3 Alfa Romeo (late) and Mercedes SSKL. A full post when the time comes.
Peter.
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