making tyre

I am new posting on the forum and finding it very difficult .at 69 years young . I am more at home on my lathe and milling machine than this computer I have been involved in model engineering since early eighties an made stuart engines plus two traction engine and now I thinking of making not so small wagon or lorry truck being from up north. we use all three names would appreciate any help your Norm

Welcome, Norm

I can't offer any advice on your project; but I'm sure that others will help.

MichaelG.

Hi Norm

Are you seeking to obtain plans for a lorry to model ?

Your titile of making tyre seems misplaced, can you explain more please.

Emgee

Hello Norman,

I think Norman is trying to track down an ME article on making tyres. I think this was part of a series by Alex du Pre. Can anyone track down the right issue?

Neil

From memory, Gerald Wingrove's book describes the process.

Gerald Wingrove wrote a short series in ME way back, probably in the '70's. He outlined his method of making tyres First of all a mould with the tread pattern milled in, followed by casting with, IIRC, Devcon Flexane, but there are alternative urethane rubbers.

I think there was also another series by someone who made a lorry. In this case, the choice of scale etc. was dictated by acquiring some miniature tyres made by a major manufacturer as advertising give-aways.

I may be wrong, but I think Norman is proposing to work to a considerably larger scale than Gerald Wingrove's models.

MichaelG.

Really depends on what Norman means by "not so small" could be 2" scale in which case cast your own or if larger like some of the 6" Fodens about then they use Mini tyres.

If casting your own I would suggest taking a look at some of the RC Plant and machinery and RC Truck sites for more upto date methods than Gerald Wingrove. There are also a lot of Lorry tyres available if it is just going to be a showcase model.

Edited By JasonB on 12/11/2017 10:24:08

Thanks to you all fore your help but my concern is if the tyre don't look right they will spoil look of the lorry that why I am starting with the tyres and scale is not important at the moment but I am thinking of about nine or ten inches at this time I have spent along time on the internet trying to find some tyres in uk usa about that size but to no avail and I thought making the tyres would seem the best way and probably the hardest way to norm

Norman is that 9-10" long or 9-10" to the Ft, wheel size or OD of tyre?

Edited By JasonB on 13/11/2017 07:22:47

Norman, am I right in thinking that you need solid tyres rather than pneumatic ones?

Brian

There is useful stuff about full-size steel tyres in 'The Wheelwrights Shop' by George Sturt (1923 with reprints much later). The process modifications for making smaller versions would depend on how much smaller, of course.

If it is rubber tyres that you need, it will depend on the level of detail. If tread details are not important, an O-ring would be a good start. Otherwise you may be faced with making a mould and casting your own using a silicone or polyurethane compound. I would suggest that you avoid real inflatable model tyres.

It all depends on what you seek, and whether the model (etc) will need to be exhibition standard, or a knock-about toy, or something in between. And it also depends on what facilities you have and even where you live.

Regards, Tim

thanks again for your input and should have put 9 or ten inches OD .I would the like details to reasonable accurate it al depends the size of the tyres. I would scale from there. solid tyre or pneumatic I do realise making blow up tyres will be a lot harder than solid and last night went to the spare room to find 70 old me and guess what 30 40 50 60 but no 70 so look like trip to the library thanks to all norm

Norman - I have 4 off pneumatic tyred wheels, solid disc type which are (I think) about the size you are considering. I'll let you know the actual size tomorrow - too cold to venture out tonight!!

rgds

Bill

Tim Stevens:

"There is useful stuff about full-size steel tyres in 'The Wheelwrights Shop' by George Sturt (1923 with reprints much later)."

As it happens I am re-reading this minor classic at the moment. Another work on a par with this which you may well know is the slightly later The Village Carpenter by Walter Rose.

Norman - apologies for the delay. Have checked the wheels and memory was at fault ; they are, in fact, 15" diameter and 4" wide - photos attached. However, if the 10" diameter is essential, have you considered these? https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/4-X-10-Black-Heavy-Duty-Pneumatic-Wheel-Tyre-With-Rim-Cart-Trolley-Wheelbarrow/675595437?iid=371892404805.

rgds

Bill

Towsure also sell trailer tyres - www.towsure.com

Their ones may look OK. Failing that, you could consider making rims and casting polyurethane rubber into a home made mould, getting the resin from somewhere like www.mbfg.co.uk . I have used their polyester and silicone resins, and found the they do exactly as described on the website. The rubber can be dyed, so getting a good black. PU rubbers are used for castor tyres, so should be load bearing if the vehicle turns out to be hefty. Will take experimentation, though.

Regards,

Richard.