Steel wheels for semi trucks

[Old Busted Hotness]

Now let's tackle the far-more-challenging front wheels.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_4814.jpg

To start with, the Tamiya wheels are too flat. And there's too many holes. Impossible, can't be done, wasting your time....

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_4816.jpg

First, cut the lug nuts off and Dremel out the groove between the rim and center. Make it as wide as you can. You'll see dark spots develop along the edge when the plastic gets thin; that means you've done all you can here.

The other part pictured is a Monogram Big Deuce brake drum, sanded down quite severely. Rear drums have a nice lip in the center that will conceal the gap between the Tamiya rim and the cap I'm installing. Hog out the center of the rim to accept the flange from the brake drum.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_4819.jpg

Cap installed on the rim

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_4821.jpg

Add a thin coat of filler...

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_4813.jpg

Sand smooth, make as many holes as you want, glue the nuts back on...

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_4822.jpg

... and paint.

[Old Busted Hotness]

Notice the centers stick out properly now:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_4815.jpg

[sloppy]

very nice bout time someone did it right..

[Bullitt]

Very nice. I was not thinking about building up the depth. I just thought it was excellent carving skills. I guess I used up 1/2 a tube of epoxy for no other reason than additional weight for my front wheels. Damn.

I am going to have to try this. Very nice work.

Harry

[Old Busted Hotness]

Here's an unlikely candidate for detailing our rigs: plastic Easter eggs :blink:

I chose eggs because they have a nicely curved surface, like most steel wheels, and the size is just right. Look for eggs with a 2.5 inch length. They come in different sizes; this size works.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_4980.jpg

You can get them on ebay. I got 36 eggs for about 20 bucks shipped. Your local craft store probably has them, too.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_4981.jpg

Step 1, cut the top off the fat end of the egg. Make the hole the same size as the relief in the center of the wheel.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_4984.jpg

Place the egg in the rim, keeping the hole centered, and mark the egg where it intersects the rim. Cut about 1/8 inch above the mark.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_4986.jpg

At this point you'll have a ring that, with trimming, will fit inside the rim.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_4987.jpg

Dremel out as many holes as you'd like. Two and five are the most common. Also enlarge the holes on the rim, so the chrome doesn't show through the holes.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_4989.jpg

If you get the cuts just right, you won't even need to glue the ring in. It should take a little pressure to install, and the paint will hold it in place.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_4990.jpg

So colorful it's a shame to paint them...

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_4978.jpg

But when you do, you've got an accurate outer steel wheel.

Be sure to wash the wheels before you paint. There's a ton of mold-release on the eggs, and it spreads around with handling.

[Old Busted Hotness]

If you want to correct the Euro wheels for US rigs, that's easy.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m160/goatworks/IMG_5020.jpg

Sand off the guard ring and cut the nuts off a TLT wheel. Then glue the nuts onto the flat surface you just made.

[phase]

^ wow that looks awsome!

[JosB]

You can allways find something better if you just keep looking :nice:.
Great use of materials, hats off! Result is stunningly realistic.

[Bullitt]

Stu,
You want to tell them how you made theses beauties...
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/harrybullitt/53%20COE/DSC00354.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/harrybullitt/53%20COE/DSC00355.jpg


Thanks again,
Harry

[Old Busted Hotness]

The rears are Easter eggs, I just cut the holes from the edge, stopping when they looked right.

The fronts are aluminum :banana: I used Monster bottle caps :lol:

[reddevildemo]

How the hell do you come up with this stuff :lolbeat:

Those look great !!

[The_Stuff]

lol makes me want to buy a set off ya!

[Dakta]

Very nicely done dremelit!

Your work inspires the rest of us to get out there and create! Keep it up!