Tire, Wheel and axle question,,,,

[rel14]

Ok, on models, do the wheels have to roll, or can they be glue solid. do you get points taken away if they don't roll, or is it ok for them to not move ?  Been wondering this for a spell,,,, If your at a major show, and they don't roll is that bad??  Whats the best way to go??

[Spex84]

This has been discussed here before, but as far as I know, most modelers concerned about the strength and safety of their models...glue the wheels on solidly. Imagine what would happen if a competition model rolled off the table! I glue mine solid, usually with a 5 minute epoxy. That gives me time to adjust the wheels/tires and make sure they're properly vertical and that all 4 are touching the ground, before the glue sets.

One of these days, if go to the trouble of making rolling wheels, I think I'll try and make the model remote-control too Just for fun.

[dragcarz]

I don’t think it matters if they roll or not. I personally prefer to glue them so they don’t roll. You only need your finished project to roll off a shelf once, and you will agree glued is better.

[Bucky]

I might not glue the rear wheels, if there is a metal axle. On the fronts, if the metal axle goes through the engine block, I might change that out, and fill the hole in the block. Sometimes, that means finding an alternative method to attach the front wheels. For my building skills, that might mean glued fronts!!! I'd rather do that than to look under the hood and see a metal axle running through the block! LOL

[Ace-Garageguy]

But having them glued really takes the fun out of pushing them around and making vroom vroom noises.

[Bucky]

HAHAHA...now THAT'S a valid point!!!

[espo]

I have always glued the wheels in a fixed position. Never heard of any problems about stationary wheels and tires in a judging situation. My thought besides model safety is that if the wheels can turn they can also wobble around and the toe in and out and even the camber could be off and that would only look worse.    

[crazyjim]

Rolling wheel don't matter at a show.  The judges shouldn't be touching your build unless it's very close between 2 builds.

[highway]

Rolling wheel don't matter at a show.  The judges shouldn't be touching your build unless it's very close between 2 builds.

My opinion is that judges should NEVER touch a build! If they need to see something that badly (or value the use of their fingers) that it requires the build to be touched, they can find the builder and have the builder do it.