[Ratracer]

Hi all I am looking for a suggestion on how to machine plastic wheels to get them true etc prior to gluing on the tyres etc. Particularly the Scalextric wheels where they have a knurling. Truing the tyres is not an issue.

I have used a TiyreTrue to do this but would like to use something a little sturdier preferably where the axle can be locked in and firm enough to allow machining. I am not looking at doing this on the chassis.
One of our older members used to use a jewellers lathe but from memory he removed the wheels individually, I am trying to avoid this.

regards

Ray

 

[munter]

QUOTE he removed the wheels individually
not a bad idea...!

 

[300SLR]

Hi Ray
You say you are trying to avoid taking knurled wheels on and off axles - yeh I can see several good reasons for that. Its great getting accurately round wheels on a lathe but you only keep that accuracy if the wheel can be relied on to sit accurately straight on the car's axle.

Is it feasible to try truing up the wheels on you tyre sander?

 

[Ratracer]

HI 300SLR have tried that method, ok result but would like a better more precise option.

Ray

 

[munter]

In the past I have trued tire and rim together on a hudy.This has been successful (mostly) and you meet some lovely knurls!

Trying to true a plastic rim then fit and true the tire should be possible.
The plastic wont like being cut but should sand OK....as I mentioned above I dont do it that way but I am a learner too.

 

[Phil Kalbfell]

Some wheels are almost impossible to remove from the axle without damage! I use my lathe where possible But for some I have use my tyre truer and very carefully sanded them true. But you cannot put ver much pressure on the axle or it will move in the holder. The best method I have found is to use an old chassis fitted with a long can motor, clamp the chassis to the bench and than use a very sharp chisel shaped cutting blade and then sanding for the final finish.

 

[stoner]

hi! if youve got access to a lathe keep the wheels on the axle and machine them true they cut dead easy and you should have room behind the chuck to clear the other wheel. you can use ordinary tool steel about a 1/4 by 1/2 inch just put a slight taper on the sides and keep the 1/4 inch at the tip straight this will allow you to do the shoulders and raised face with the same tool. you,l be suprised how much you have to take off some wheels, so decide how much you want to take off to fit a standard tyre, some will only need minimal skiming so the standard tyre will fit back on. but i would glue them before truing. john.

 

[Schackel]

QUOTE (Ratracer @ 31 Aug 2011, 10:17) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi all I am looking for a suggestion on how to machine plastic wheels to get them true etc prior to gluing on the tyres etc. Particularly the Scalextric wheels where they have a knurling. Truing the tyres is not an issue.

I have used a TiyreTrue to do this but would like to use something a little sturdier preferably where the axle can be locked in and firm enough to allow machining. I am not looking at doing this on the chassis.
One of our older members used to use a jewellers lathe but from memory he removed the wheels individually, I am trying to avoid this.

regards

Ray

Maybe I repeat anything already written, but if the wheels "wobble" on the axle there is no chance to get a round run. The most important precondition ist that the wheels sit on the axles as centered and wobble-free as possible. Otherwise you cut off more material on one side than on the other. This way you get wheels that run a bit rounder than before but they aren´t round in shape anymore, and that among others means an unequal balance, too.

Roland

 

[RichD]

With an Area 3 machine you can true the wheels on the stock axle assembly.

 

[Ratracer]

Thanks all for the suggestions stoner that is the style of equipment that i am after RichD have tries the Area 3 machine will do it but not to a standard that I am after.

Regards

Ray

 

[356speedster]

srcjon over on the "US" forum makes an Area3/RMS style tyre truer called "Tire Razor" which he also makes a lathe attachment for.

If you ask him he can probably make a locking arm that secure the bushings against the arms that holds them, but the lathe push against the arms so it might not be needed.

 

[RichD]

The best that you are going to do with wheels that wobble is to true the OD of the center ridge, everything else will still have some runout. In that case you would be just as well off to glue the tires to the wheels and true the tires.

 

[wayne69x]

Something i have tried in the past with success is to take the tyres off the wheels and slowly turn them to see if they are out of round or most likely bound bun not running true to the axle.

I warm the wheels with a lighter and gently ease them closer to concentric with the axle. You can get it really close with patients but be careful not to melt them.

Just a thought for really bad wheels. Once they are somewhere near I true the tyres to remove the excentricity.