Aeroclassics DC8 gear.

Roarer · 08-26-2012, 08:42 PM

Hello, a slight emergency here - I have just sold an Aeroclassics DC8 on a certain website, but, whilst I was giving the model a dust down before going into the box to be sent, it had a slight knock and the tires on the front gear came off, and then whilst I was trying to put it all back together again the axle then, courtesy of a pair of tweezers, pinged off across the room and onto the floor, which is carpet!

The gears can be quite delicate at the best of times, and this one just decided to come apart.

Anyway, despite an extensive search and rescue operation involving a large torch and a magnet (just in case, seeing as it is metal), I have not found it (it must have bounced off somewhere, but it is truly miniscule anyway, barely a few millimetres long!) So, I need to know, whether the DC8 gear is exclusive to... Well, the DC8 or whether it is used on other models too like the '707?

You see, providing I can get a new gear in the future, I'd happily donate the gear from another lesser model, seeing as it needs to be posted soon! I don't think I have any other spare AC DC8s kicking about either, so can I use a gear from another type instead?

I strongly suspect that the gear is so small that nobody would really notice if it was wrong, but I just want to make sure first!

Thanks.

Sgt Caribou · 08-26-2012, 09:00 PM

I don't mean to create any more stress than there already is, but upon receipt of two DC-8's from the same manufacturer, one suffered the exact same fate. I found the axle but getting it placed and staying together didn't work. The axle seems to be too short to successfully attach the wheels on either side without the other coming off. Ended up gluing the wheels straight to the gear leg although that required some juggling to get everything centered and looking convincing when placed for display (as a bonus, the hole inside the wheel was so small that the omitted axle is not noticeable). My eyes are definitely not what they were a decade ago so that may have something to do with it. Had a similar problem with an Aeroclassics 727 nose gear, seems that they probably share similar-sized parts.

RStretton · 08-26-2012, 09:22 PM

I feel your pain - these rolling gears on the Aeroclassics are a complete pain in the behind. I've had exactly the same issue as yourself with a Delta DC-8-51 but fortunately I was able to find the gear and stick it back on using superglue. With that model it wasn't just the nosegear either but also the main gear.

It's very frustrating and personally I'd rather AC went back to the non-rolling gears which often look better too (I'm looking at you B-720) and are sturdier (hello DC-10).

Oh and I second Sgt Caribou - you'll never get the gear back on as it was, you'll have to glue it. I was able to get the axle in but the wheels would never stay on once they were off.

Roarer · 08-26-2012, 09:24 PM

Thanks. Yes I should just have glued it when I had the chance!

gospodin · 08-26-2012, 09:26 PM

So you still have the tires? I used a wire brush bristle as the axle on one of my models. You have to cut the bristle down to size...carefully...then set one side into the first wheel, glue it, put the new axle through the strut hole, then glue the other tire in place. The wire brush I use is a heavy-duty type with rather thick bristles...a strong barbeque brush might do, and I have to cut the bristles with side-cutter pliers. It's a bit of work, but if done right, looks just fine.

Roarer · 08-26-2012, 09:32 PM

Yes, I have the tyres and gear so I could glue it as suggested elsewhere, it's just the axle which has gone walkabout.

I'll see about the wire brush in the morning, thanks! I was thinking of getting something else to use anyway, even a tiny piece of twig I found (if glued in, who'd ever know?)!

Roarer · 08-26-2012, 09:42 PM

But just for future knowledge, is it the same type of gear they use for several different model types, or is it only relevant to the DC-8?

Thanks

doug seeley · 08-27-2012, 05:57 AM

If any gear is going to 'go south, it's the Aeroclassics DC-8 nose gear. Replaced gear, creased boxes, no boxes - all detract from what the anal buyer demands, and I have many models that fall way short of 'mint' - I love 'em, warts and all - somebody else will have to deal with selling or giving them away, my collection will go down with me... Keep 'em flying, Doug

Roarer · 08-27-2012, 08:37 AM

I have had gears from other things fall apart on me before (An Uzbek TU-154 IIRC springs to mind recently. Not just that, but engines have come off too), but this is the first one where I've actually lost a bit.

I'll take the gear up the stairs and compare it to those on my other models. I have a box with a few bits and pieces from things I've accumulated over the years too, so I'll see what I have. And if that doesn't work then it'll be the wire brush or just glueing the tyres straight on.

The whole gear came out of the well too. I forgot to mention that, but it was partly my fault as I was trying to put it all back together originally, so I'll need to glue it all in

Except for the front gear, the rest of the model is great

diecast1964 · 08-27-2012, 01:48 PM

Those AC DC-8 nose gears are just awful... I hate it when a diecast model needs repairs at home. They are just not supposed to be manipulated by a collector.

I have once replaced an axle by a needle. That worked out fine. The sharp end allows you to easily attach the first tyre. Then through the strut hole and the second tyre. Finally, you need a fine cutter to cut the needle at both sides of the tyres [I used a small cutter typically used by an electrician and bought it in a DIY-store]

Good luck!

Jan

Bangkok Lady La · 08-27-2012, 04:58 PM

i have to say my Dc8's have arrived with broken gear and repairing them requires tweezers and a lot of patience.
Its a shame cos the models themselves are fantastic but the gear is just not up to standard.

Roarer · 08-27-2012, 06:07 PM

I did it!

I got hold of a metal brush, but the wires were too thin and spindly, but nearby there was a clothes brush which had bristles just the RIGHT size and, being a clothes brush, it was quite rigid and made of plastic (I presume anyway). After that it was easy, becuase I could string it all on, glue it in place and then cut/glass file the bristle down to size.
That said, it was black, so I very carefully painted a small silver spot on the end

Just as I got that back on, I suddenly noticed one of the back gears had gone, axle and all

. I didn't see it fall, so a frantic search ensued. Thankfully it was all under the seat, axle still attached to one of the tyres, so I glued that back on too!

Thanks for the ideas folks, and I realised I probably could have used a '707 gear, because although it looked different, once the tyre was on it would have covered certain bits of it anyway.

Also, the Gemini DC8 gear is different and actually a bit bigger too.

Roarer · 08-27-2012, 06:11 PM

I made a point of not saying what model it is just in case the buyer is reading this!

P.s. I looked up pictures just to be certain I had the gear on the right way round!

SilkAirA320 · 08-27-2012, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roarer

I made a point of not saying what model it is just in case the buyer is reading this!

Welcome to my "Do not buy from his guy" list!!!

Roarer · 08-27-2012, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilkAirA320

Welcome to my "Do not buy from his guy" list!!!

Why?

What I meant was that I would try and fix it before contacting the buyer, therefore avoiding any potential grief. I've done it, I'm not selling a defective model..... Well, ok, I am, but that's Aeroclassic's fault, not mine, and if you read the posts above you will see that these models are apparently NOTORIOUS for the problem highlighted! It isn't my fault!
Also, revealing the identity would prove nothing, as it is only that particular model affected, not all I sell. There is nothing 'cloak and daggar' going on here, I just felt it better for it to be anonymous unless I needed to inform the buyer if I couldn't fix the problem. I have fixed it, so what's the problem? Surely what I have done here shows that I care enough to fix the problem BEFORE sending it as a pose to sending a broken model and when blaming it on getting damaged in transit etc.

It is unfortunate that I have done this so publically, but I wanted advice on what to do about it as this is the first time this has ever happened to me, and after all, it is difficult to ask a question about something so specific without saying anything!

With hindsight I should have asked it as a general question, but it was urgent!

Roarer · 08-27-2012, 11:35 PM

Silkair, there is a time and place to 'fess up, and would have if I hadn't been able to fix it. Do you think I ruthlessly sell broken models all the time?

Looking at your collection, I doubt you'll have bought the DC8 anyway, so nothing to worry about!

GliderPilot · 08-28-2012, 03:05 PM

you know what, I don't think I want this model anymore..........��

Roarer · 08-28-2012, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GliderPilot

you know what, I don't think I want this model anymore..........��

It's one model out of hundreds, and I was just fixing a fault of the MANUFACTURER, not me.

If the buyer had been reading this, do you think that revealing the model's identity would have helped anything? No it could have caused undue concern over something which was fixed anyway, and that would have helped no one.

Roarer · 08-28-2012, 04:31 PM

If I've gone about his the wrong way then what would you have done?

aklein707 · 08-28-2012, 04:46 PM

First off, I wouldn't be blaming the manufacturer for your problems!! No doubt the models left the factory in one piece, and due to mishandling somewhere along the way, came apart. Don't blame the manufacturer because you lost the parts in your carpeting at home either!

Roarer · 08-28-2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklein707

First off, I wouldn't be blaming the manufacturer for your problems!! No doubt the models left the factory in one piece, and due to mishandling somewhere along the way, came apart. Don't blame the manufacturer because you lost the parts in your carpeting at home.

True, but read what other people said about them earlier in the thread, there clearly is a problem with the gear generally. I'm not blaming anyone else but myself for the carpet bit by the way, and as for the rest, well, yes, it will just have been a series of events which caused to to come off.

I doubt you broke it personally!

RStretton · 08-28-2012, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklein707

First off, I wouldn't be blaming the manufacturer for your problems!! No doubt the models left the factory in one piece, and due to mishandling somewhere along the way, came apart. Don't blame the manufacturer because you lost the parts in your carpeting at home either!

The rolling gear on Aeroclassics DC-8s are clearly very temperamental and in my opinion inadequate to the task. I'd also argue that the nose gear bogies on the DC-10s are a bit fragile for the stresses of postage too. And before you say it, the packer was Waffle and he packs really well so it isn't the fault of the person posting. In recent times I've had to stick the nose gear back on several AC models yet never had a gear issue with a GJ or other brand.

Having said that both moulds are excellent so it doesn't stop me getting them. I know you are famously hysterical regarding criticism Mr Klein so please just take this as feedback from customers who are actually big fans of your models in general. I generally did prefer it when the gears didn't roll.

GliderPilot · 08-29-2012, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roarer

It's one model out of hundreds, and I was just fixing a fault of the MANUFACTURER, not me.

If the buyer had been reading this, do you think that revealing the model's identity would have helped anything? No it could have caused undue concern over something which was fixed anyway, and that would have helped no one.

Easy Tiger, it was a joke, a bit of light hearted banter. I have no idea what the model is nor have I bid on anything lately, good luck with fixing the model.