Landing Gear

Depending on how good your eyesight is, and what drills etc you have, you could try drilling out the gear & inserting wire. I use guitar wires, they are strong & come in lots of sizes, & will bend nicely for an axle. ideal for the job.
Pete

i have some pretty fine wire, but drilling is another thing. I dont have a hand drill...guess they call them pin vises. But i know the landing gear has caused me numerous bouts of profanity.

Hey Huskerguy;
I feel for you, but like guys like me I move around alot, and what I use for the Gear is white glue (Elmer's) or superglue, I know the gear are going to break in the move so I make them break away so the part wont get damaged, but you could use some Stainless Steel Lock Wire (aviations trems Safety Wire) and drill a hole on the top of the strut only go to about 1/2 way down then L it to the out board towards the wing tip (unless your doing a BF-109) that should help rid your problem you could use it too for the axles too drill through the axle and beef it up too, I know it takes extra time but try it,
remember to have fun
cuda

Cuda, do you use some sort of hand drill? I dont think my smallest drill bit is small enough for some of that strut material. And the axle on the ME262 i am building is REALLY tiny, and only about 1/4 inch long. Wonder if any of the manufacturerers monitor this board....if so....BEEF UP THE LANDING GEAR ON YOUR MODELS.

I've seen pinvises for around $8 and a small drill bit set on sale somewhere for $6 or $7.

I got a pin vise at my local hardware store for $8.00. Multiple head type. A company by the name Micro Mark sells pin vises and #60 thru #80 drill bits. Inexpensive and always handy to have around - a real good investment

Welding supply companies are also a good place to pick up a pin vise and bits.
They call them tip cleaners. Price is about the same at around $8.00
Ray

Electronics supply places (Tandy , Radio Shack etc) are also good places for a whole range of supplies (including pin vices and drill bits) suitable for modlers but I have to agree that the usual kit landing gear is at best adequate.
Cheers, Pete.