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Part 20: Flanged wheel 1 1/8''

20	Flanged wheel 1 1/8''	1901	-	12	12	4	N°8

The parts

The very earliest of the Meccano wheels (and the first on the list), this part was originally a multi-purpose "Flanged and grooved wheel".  The original Meccano patent made several references to train-related models, and it was natural to have a flanged wheel included.  The extra groove was an unusual but clever addition to the part, making the wheels directly drivable and also usable as pulleys.  Early versions of this part (the top three and the bottom left in the photo above) had the boss inside the flange.  After the introduction of set screws and bosses in 1912 the boss had to be reversed to allow access to the set screw (bottom centre).

There were a huge number of variations in this part, but the most important change was when the grooved section was removed in 1919, leaving the part as the simple "Flanged wheel" (bottom right in the photograph above).  In 1928 it was joined by part 20b, the small flanged wheel.

Chronological variations

The usual changes in the bosses of these parts (from feather to tongue to single-tapped and finally double-tapped) is to be expected.  The only other significant change in the part is from the original "flanged grooved wheel" which was a combination pulley and flanged wheel, to the later type "flanged wheel", in around 1919.

For other variations from one part to the next, see the table at the bottom of this page.

Variations and oddities

There is one slightly contentious version of the flanged wheel, as pictured right.  Known as the "Maltese Cross" style, for obvious reasons, this is most often thought of as a French part.  However, there do seem to be rather too many of them in UK-sourced collections for this to be exclusively the case.  The jury is still out, and will probably remain so until good proof of these existing in UK outfits is found.

Dealer spare parts boxes

The two boxes to the right date from the early and late 50's.  Strangely, flanged wheels mostly seem to have been supplied in boxes of three, which seems about the least useful quantity to supply.

Individual part numbers

Part numbers for the parts on this page are as follows:    Unique part numbers
For identification, each variation has been given a suffix to the main Meccano part number. These suffixes consist of a two-character code for the colour, and if there are many variations, a further number and sometimes letter code to identify each variation. See the bottom of the 'Parts' page for further details.

You don't need to worry what the codes are, just click on any one for a photograph.

The button above turns on and off the display of DMS numbers (where they are known). The DMS (Development of the Meccano System, Hauton and Hindemarsh) published in 1972 and added to in 75 and 82, suggested part numbers for every variation of every Meccano part. These numbers aren't perfect, but they are recognised and also referenced in the EMP (Encyclopedia of Meccano Parts, Don Blakeborough).

Description	from	20	Tapped	Grooved, o/a diam
Flanged and grooved wheel, solid brass, no recess	01	.mm1	Feather	Yes, 1 1/8''
As above, rough cast brass, recessed both faces (36g)	??	.mm	Feather	Yes, 1 7/16''
As above, with both feather and tongue slots	07	.mm2	F & tongue	Yes, 1 7/16''
As above, with central bar across face	??	.mm2a	F & tongue	Yes, 1 7/16''
With central bar across face, tongue key only	??	.mm2b	Tongue	Yes, 1 7/16''
As above, but cast alloy	??	.mm2c	Tongue	Yes, 1 7/16''
All machined, tongue only, four spokes (weight 22g)	08	.mm3	Tongue	Yes, 1 7/16''
All faces machined, four holes instead of spokes (26g)	??	.mm4	Tongue	Yes, 1 15/32''
Lead alloy, 'gold' finished, boss with four buttresses (45g)	??	.go	Tongue	Yes, ?
Formed from two pressings, 1911 patent boss	11	.mm5	Tongue	Yes, 1 13/32''
As above but eight holes, 'Meccano patent' boss	??	.mm5a	Tongue	Yes, 1 13/32''
As above but four holes, boss reversed from now on	11	.br1	Single	Yes, 1 13/32''
As above but eight holes	11	.br1a	Single	Yes, 1 13/32''
As above but with standard-type boss, 9/32'' flange	12	.br2	Single	Yes, 1 13/32''
As above but with 7/32'' flange	??	.br2a	Single	Yes, 1 13/32''
As above but outer rim smaller and rounded	??	.br2b	Single	Yes, 1 13/32''
As above but steel face, bronzed.  Rims similar sizes	??	.st	Single	Yes, 1 13/32''
No pulley section, one-part pressing 1 3/8'' dia.	19	.br3	Single	No, 1 3/8''
As above, steel pressing nickel plated	??	.ni	Single	No, 1 3/8''
As .br3, sharp at flange/rim, flange under ¼''	??	.br3a	Single	No, 1 3/8''
As above, larger, curve at flange/rim, flange ¼''	??	.br3b	Single	No, 1 5/16''
As .br3 above, double-tapped	??	.br4	Double	No, 1 5/16''
1 3/8'' diameter, ¼'' flange, double-tapped	20s	.br5	Double	No, 1 3/8''
As above, squared-off rim and flange	20s	.br5a	Double	No, 1 3/8''
1 3/8'' diameter steel pressing, blue	34	.nb	Double	No, 1 3/8''
1 3/8'' diameter steel pressing, blue with blue boss	34	.nb1	Double	No, 1 3/8''
As above but red	37	.re	Double	No, 1 3/8''
As above but all brass (most common variety)	46	.br	Double	No, 1 3/8''
As above, but blackened steel †	51-52	.bs	Double	No, 1 3/8''
Mazac one-piece casting, painted black †	51-52	.bk	Double	No, 1 3/8''
As above but brass boss	??	.bk1	Double	No, 1 3/8''
As above but all-brass casting	??	.br6	Double	No, 1 3/8''
Cast alloy, zinc plated	??	.zn	Double	No, 1 3/8''
Cast alloy with brass boss, raised lettering inside	79?	.xx	Double	No, 1 3/8''
		ALL

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• Parts marked "†" were temporary or economy parts, or existed only within specific themed outfits. The previous part continued throughout or afterwards.

Further information

bob t      (at 1:11pm, Wed 2nd Sep, 20)

Raul, If you sign on to the Rust Bucket forum, on this site, you can discuss Meccano parts & send photos

Raul Quilez      (at 11:21am, Wed 2nd Sep, 20)

I got the 20.mm2 wheel on Ebay. I can send the photo. In the same lot there is a pulley 22 that is not on your list. It is like 22.mm2 but with four holes. If you are interested in the photos of the two, give me your email to send them.

Jeremy Jordan      (at 11:45am, Tue 25th Nov, 14)

I do have a 1911 Patent, made from 2 pressings, but the hub is on the grove side, therefore different from the listed 20.mm5 illustrated flanged wheel 1-1/8".

kbisset      (at 11:12pm, Sun 19th Oct, 14)

It should be pointed out that "flange" in this discussion is the Meccano definition: the running surface, usually called the tread. The usual use of "flange" is the lip which keeps the wheel on the rail. The Meccano definition comes from part 137, called "wheel flange", which really should be called "wheel tread". Incidentally, not all railroad wheels are conical; some railroads used cylindrical treads.

Don Noble      (at 12:59pm, Mon 14th Mar, 11)

A curious thing about flanged wheels is that in order to work as railway wheels the tread should be conical not flat. In spite of making Hornby and Dublo trains for many years Meccano never seemed to get round to making a Meccano railway wheel.

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