
Builder Last Online: Mar 2022


Model Scale: 1/8
Rating:
(2 votes - 5.00 average)
Thanks: 4

Started: 03-03-12
Build Revisions: Never

I use
styrene
sheet to make my tires. I like
styrene
because it's easy to machine. I start by<br>cutting 4" x 4" pieces.<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>I glued 11 pieces together and drew a circle to the diameter of the tire. In this case 3.250", I make it .080" smaller because the tread thickness is .040". That will make it 3.330" final diameter.<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>I cut out the rough shape on a band saw and drill a .250" hole for the arbor.<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>The tire blank chucked in the lathe and turned to size.<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>The tire blank in the lathe and center opening started.<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>The center cut to size.<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>These are the cutters I made to profile and hollow the tire. The one on the left is the tire profile. and the two on the right are used to hollow out the tire<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>First side profile.<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>Second side profile cut and the tire hollowed out.<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>Here's an illustration of the tire treads. I do all my illustrations in Adobe Illustrator. It takes a little adjusting to make the treads wrap around the tire blank. It needs to fit end to end.<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>After the illustration fits to the tire I cut out the treads from .040" styrene. I then place each tread in it's place on a copy of the illustration (the first one got destroyed cutting out the treads).<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>This was taken on a light box. On the left are the treads placed loosely on the illustration<br>in their respective position. On the right is another illustration with a sheet of .005" styrene on top. You need to see the illustration through the styrene in order to glue the treads in position. Hence the reason for the light box.<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>The treads being glued to the styrene.<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>The treads glued in place.<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>The treads cut into strips and applied to the tire blank.<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>The tire almost finished, applying the side treads.<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>The tire sanded and painted, ready to mold and cast. The raised lettering was applied with<br>adhesive vinyl. I took an Illustrator file to a sign shop and they cut them out for me on their vinyl cutter (for a nominal charge).<br>
Hosted on Fotki<br>Thats it in a nutshell. Hope you like.<br><br>Bill



















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