By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more
Forum sponsored by:
Forum sponsored by Forum House Ad Zone

Forming Wire Wheel Rims

All Topics | Latest Posts

Search for:  in Thread Title in  
Gaspode28/06/2011 12:32:36
8 forum posts
I'm thinking of making some 72-spoke wire wheels for a model car, they will be in 1/4 scale. The prototypes are 15" dia with 5" rims, so the model rims will be 1.25 wide.
 
I'm thinkng that I ned to make some kind of rolling device that will form the necessary profile into a strip of brass sheet and put a curl into it so I can solder the ends together, but beyond a vague notion of sets of shaped rollers I haven't got much of an idea how this should be done.
 
All advice gratefully received...
JasonB28/06/2011 17:00:51
avatar
25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles
I think I would be temted to turn them from solid, something like the hollow cast bearing bronze as you won't be paying for the waste in the middle.
 
Another option may be spinning use a piece of brass tube and spin it over a former shaped like the rim
 
Making shaped bending rolls and trying to get a good joint on something 3 3/4" dia will not be easy as you can seldom roll right to the ends of the hoop
 
J
Sean Cullen28/06/2011 19:35:00
55 forum posts
11 photos
The best source of inspriation for this type of job is Gerald Wingrove, if you do not have his boooks then they are well worth betting, especially The Complete Car Modeller. Borrow it from the library at the very least. I have checked my copy and his method is to turn rims from thick brass tube, the book gives a good diagram of his method of tuning the rims and hubs. He also gives clear advice on threading wire wheels
 
Sean

Edited By Sean Cullen on 28/06/2011 19:51:23

wotsit28/06/2011 20:48:27
188 forum posts
1 photos
Hi, Tim,
 
I posted a picture of some spoked wheels I made for a model (bottom of home page - sorry they are not in this post - I never could be bothered to work out how to do it in this forum).
They have turned stainless rims (using thickwalled tube) and hubs. The spokes are 'laced' using stainless steel wire (hard work!).
 
I have also made some other spoked wheels using a cast aluminium rim, subsequently turned to shape. These were somewhat easier to turn than the ones in the photo.
 
There is an exhaustive description of making spoked wheels in ME vol 4249 10-23 June 2005) by Stephen Atkinson, as part of his series on building a scale model 1946 MG TC.
 
In my opinion, you will have your work cut out to make rolled metal rims.
David Clark 128/06/2011 21:14:46
avatar
3357 forum posts
112 photos
10 articles
Hi There
Try googling Gerald.
He has a good website.
If you get stuck I can probably find the URL.
regards david
 
Gaspode30/06/2011 20:55:36
8 forum posts
Thanks all. Yes, I am familiar with Gerald Wingrove and his method of making wheels, but I was hoping to use the same technique as the originals. I guess it's a bit ambitious to think it might be practical.
 
So, does anyone know a good source of thick-wall Aluminium tube, say 4"OD with a wall thickness of 1/2 inch or so? The prototype rims are quite deep, but I suppose I could make them from 2 concentric rings glued together?
 
Tim
JasonB30/06/2011 21:02:46
avatar
25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles
If you stayed with teh brass you were originally thinking of then as I said 4" OD x 3" ID bronze is readily available from several of the me suppliers, or do as I recently dis when I wanted a 3 1/8" ring, I bent a bit of square stock over a former (scrap bar) and then silversoldered it into a ring and machined that to the required profile.
 
J
 
Edit, M Machine do 3/8" wall alloy tube
 

Edited By JasonB on 30/06/2011 21:05:54

Gaspode30/06/2011 21:37:03
8 forum posts
Thanks Jason, very helpful.

All Topics | Latest Posts

Please login to post a reply.

Magazine Locator

Want the latest issue of Model Engineer or Model Engineers' Workshop? Use our magazine locator links to find your nearest stockist!

Find Model Engineer & Model Engineers' Workshop

Sign up to our Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter and get a free digital issue.

You can unsubscribe at anytime. View our privacy policy at www.mortons.co.uk/privacy

Latest Forum Posts
Support Our Partners
cowells
Sarik
MERIDIENNE EXHIBITIONS LTD
Shopping Partners
Subscription Offer

Latest "For Sale" Ads
Latest "Wanted" Ads
Get In Touch!

Do you want to contact the Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop team?

You can contact us by phone, mail or email about the magazines including becoming a contributor, submitting reader's letters or making queries about articles. You can also get in touch about this website, advertising or other general issues.

Click THIS LINK for full contact details.

For subscription issues please see THIS LINK.

Digital Back Issues

Social Media online

'Like' us on Facebook
Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
 Twitter Logo

Pin us on Pinterest

 

Donate

donate