[jimk04]

I am making a few 24th scale static kits into racers and I am wanting to use the very nice wheels as inserts.

What is the best way?

Obviously they have no hub to mount to a truer...

I have tried by hand but I end up with a 20p piece job!

Any input appreciated.

 

[ferraif40]

Hi Jim

Use an old axle with a knurled end, and add a tiny drop of superglue. Mount this in the chuck of a drill and spin the axle and wheel up. I then use a file to take off the ridge and extra material until it is at the required size. When finished twist the wheel off the axle, (it should come off easily). If they are plastic wheels, take it slowly with the file, as it can melt the wheel onto the file.

Hope this helps!
Regards
Jon

 

[highbarn]

Try gluing them to something that can be chucked in a Dremel - Dremel make a 19.8mm diameter Grinding Stone that would work as a mounting tool. You need to be very precise to ensure that the centre of the insert is on the centreline of the drill or you'll have a lovely round insert with the centre offset!! Once you're happy with diameter make a straight cut at the required insert depth to remove the insert. After that face off your mounting tool and it's ready for the next insert.

If you've never used a Dremel for turning plastic, use a slow speed and make small cuts or you risk the plastic melting.

 

[steve francis]

Why not silicon rubber mold and cast the originals in resin rather than working on the originals then if you do make a mistake you can always cast some more, cheers steve

 

[munter]

I have recently changed my method of creating wheel inserts from plastic wheels.

I used to fit them to my hudy, then cut the back off with an exacto saw and then start sanding the rim OD with a sanding block or a dremel fitted with a sanding wheel as the rim was spinning.

Now I cut the back off and hold the plastic wheel in one hand and using a curving motion I sand the OD away with the dremel in the other hand,turning the plastic rim after each pass.
After the centre rib has gone I start to go slower and more carefully with stops to measure or test fit or looking for high spots.

I have a dremel with an adjustable speed and a flexi shaft so this makes things easier too.

It is possible to make mistakes but I now have it down pat with a high success rate.
In other words my eyechrometer is working well.

regards

 

[tomwysom]

I think Steve has the right idea, if you make a simple mould then you can make as many inserts as you want, whereas if you work on the originals you are limited to four, and if you screw one up, then you're well... screwed. I've made moulds from mastic putty, a two-part epoxy putty that goes off really quickly, and saves on having to buy silicone for small jobs, which can be expensive.
Cheers,
Tom.

 

[CJA]

Hi Jim,

you are always welcome to use my lathe, if you can mount the hubs somehow. It is easier and more controllable than "free-hand" !!.

Cheers Chris A.

 

[jimk04]

Thanks all and thanks Chris for the lathe offer.

I think if I could mount them then I could sort them on my truer but will have a dabble!

Any links to moulding kit from those that suggested making my own?

 

[steve francis]

Hi, jimk04 Alec tirantis sell all the stuff but making a few inserts would not justify the expense of rubber and resin, You are looking at around the £50 mark for both and would make literally thousands. i always have some spare so if you p.m. me i am sure I can sort something out with you, cheers steve

 

[secretagentman]

no dremel???? no money???? simply get a piece of metal tubing with a diameter slightly less than the hubcap and sharpen it with a file . then use it as a punch and slowly turn with applied presure and you have your insert in no time.

 

[munter]

QUOTE It is easier and more controllable than "free-hand" !!.
I thought that too but with the dremel running slowly it works well (if your eyechrometer is set correctly)

regards

ps I like secretagent man's idea too.