105 replies to this topic

[dc-65x]

Any cheap property in your neck of the woods Rick?

Absolutely! Along with being a beautiful place to live.

[SlotStox#53]

Excellent ! Now if I can convince the Wife

 

Great work on the wheel inserts Rick, at first I thought what a great restoration on the Cox wheels , then you attacked them with the lathe and turned them into something even better!

[Steve Okeefe]

Rick,

 

Well, you got a "Holy Cow !" out of Pablo, so I'm thinking that just about says it all... 

 

I might just to have to steal this idea for a build at some point... 

[dc-65x]

I really don't like threaded wheels that much but some of the cast ones look spectacular. Cox, Revell, Dynamic and Ulrich come to mind. Since I enjoy playing around with my little lathe, taking the threaded wheels into a better life seemed like a good idea.

[Pablo]

Given "Ferrari 1" inserts from Tom Andersen come with a $30 order minimum,

I'd agree it is a great idea.

[SlotStox#53]

Given "Ferrari 1" inserts from Tom Andersen come with a $30 order minimum,

I'd agree it is a great idea.

Maybe you could turn some old Cox wheels down with an electric drill in a clamp, sorta homemade lathe

*goes off to find the corded drill* !

[Jairus]

Sweet wheels Rick.  Not vintage in the purest sense.... but I suppose the techniques and applications WHERE available in 1966. Even tho nobody who raced had the talents to do what you just did.

 

[Pablo]

Seems to me the modern day talents here lie in beautification, re-creation, and perfection of existing designs.

The legends of the late 60's were talented in speed of building, innovation, and original creativity.

The legends had their specific talents, but I doubt they would fault Rick T. for using his "specific talents". In fact, if they were building today, knowing what we know, having the tools available to us today, I'm sure they would hook those Cox mags up to a lathe in a heartbeat.

If you got it, flaunt it, while you are still young.

I have a lathe too, but it only cost $70 and is handheld   If I copy Rick T. don't hate me

[Steve Okeefe]

I really don't like threaded wheels that much but some of the cast ones look spectacular. Cox, Revell, Dynamic and Ulrich come to mind. Since I enjoy playing around with my little lathe, taking the threaded wheels into a better life seemed like a good idea.

 

Rick,

 

It is a good idea, in fact a very good idea, however...

 

For the benefit of younger or less experienced builders who may be tuning in late, cutting up (for example) two pair of Ulrich wheels (at $50 / pair) to use as inserts is not necessarily a "good" idea.

 

Unless of course, you're fabulously wealthy... 

[dc-65x]

Hi Guys,

 

Steve, there is one Ulrich wheel that's priced at $8.95 from Professor Motor. I used them on my Got Wood Proxy car:

 

 

 

Sweet wheels Rick.  Not vintage in the purest sense.... but I suppose the techniques and applications WHERE available in 1966. Even tho nobody who raced had the talents to do what you just did.

 

 

When I entered the 6th Car Model race back in the day, I did so to compete in the Concourse event. I was lucky to end up on the podium at my local raceway's races much less compete a National level....."a man (or 16 year old) has got to know his limitations".

 

Anyhow, in post #1 I said, "Since I've already built these cars as a kid, I know I would have fun doing these new builds as the 63 year old retired Journeyman Machinist I am today."

 

Unimat hobby lathes were quite available in the 60's and so were Cox Ferrari wheels. I'm not sure if there was a more scale example of a Ferrari wheel insert available in 1966. If there was I sure don't have it today.    Personally, I think using a real vintage Cox part is vintage in the purist sense compared to using a modern resin repop....IMHO

 

EDIT:

 

I want to edit my post and say that modern reproductions are of course fine to use and I don't want to imply otherwise. Thank goodness we have them. We can't simply order the originals from the Auto World catalog anymore!

[TSR]

Haaa... nice "Hal E" brand wheels...

Ulrich made those extra-narrow, 1/16" axle wheels for small O-rings along with 1/2" wide rears with gray sponge. They look fantastic...

[SlotStox#53]

Loved what you did with those Ulrich wheels on your got wood car, really made for some sweet inserts! Definitely given some fresh ideas for some wheels/inserts..

Your posts & threads are hazedous to ones health Rick just searched Unimat lathe on that popular auction site

[dc-65x]

Paul, the modern version of the Unimat is made by Sherline. That's what I'm using. Here's link:

 

http://www.sherline.com/lathes.htm

[TSR]

Paul,

check Emco, I believe that the quality is quite better for the same price as used Unimat lathes. I had both and the Emco is really much better.

[dc-65x]

I got so wrapped up in making my wheels and inserts I forgot to do my "independent rotation" modification. Since I'm using big, soft, treaded tires I going for independent rotation. This is not a new idea for 1966 as Ulrich had independent threaded axles and 1/16" drop axle wheels, of course, rotate independently.

 

A piece of 5/32 brass tube is soldered to the end of an axle. The wheels is counterbored to accept it:

 

 

One wheel is locked down on the axle as per usual and the other wheel is left to spin freely:

 

 

The counterbore in the wheel allows the wheel insert to fit flush:

 

 

OK, time to check if the paint on the motor can is dry..............

[SlotStox#53]

Thanks for the links & info Rick & Philippe

 

Nice independent front wheel modifications, did the same thing on the oval racing Stock cars, works really well

 

Here I was thinking it was a good idea to use a set of original Cox mags that complement say a Chaparral or GT40 for an R&C car, then Rick goes and just blows the detail level out of the water!!

[Hworth08]

Excellent! The camera work ain't bad either!

 

The what ever it is on the outside ribs of the tire last photo in post #65 looks exactly like the rubber that builds up on a tire during a caution. The hot (180 to 240 degrees) tires pick up the "balls of rubber" that wear off the tires, the hot tires soften the old rubber and the weight of the car flattens it on the tire. When the drivers cut the wheels back and forth before a restart they're trying to scuff this build up off the tires.

[dc-65x]

Hi Don,

 

I saw that Crap-O-La too in the picture. I went back and I couldn't find it on the tire until I use a magnifying glass.    The other side of the tire is just fine. I guess my geezer eyes have caught up with me.

[SlotStox#53]

Looks like those tires have already raced in one of the R&C rounds

[dc-65x]

The motor has a fresh coat of paint and a reproduction RUSSkit '23' sticker (thanks my friend!):

 

 

She's all "hopped up" with a ball bearing set up and a period rewound arm:

 

 

 

She's close..............

[SlotStox#53]

Looks a very nice mill & all ready for the awaiting chassis. Love the Russkit decals Rick, real quality job whoever did them

[James Wendel]

As a local racer who (sadly) does not share you passion for vintage slot car builds, I would like to re-extend your open invitation to join us for hard body racing every Monday night at Bob's track.  Of course, it's more about racing than building, but we have a good time.

 

I always follow your builds here on Slotblog with great interest and have great admiration for your building skills. 

[Jairus]

James, I think that's a capitol idea.  I too joined some local program a while back, and now my car building has improved tenfold.  Not so much the pretty factor... but the handling factor.

[Lone Wolf]

Gettin' tired of saying WOW every time I look at one of your creations Just incredible talent and skill.

 

I bought that glass beader a while back on your recommendation. I too had a problem with the gloves. One day I went to use it and the gloves had rotted off the metal holders. Unfortunately the gloves themselves turned into a black gook that melted all over the place. It took me 2 hours to clean with thinner. I ordered new gloves and they are now orange in color. Probably a different formula. They seem a little thinner too. Be careful not to rip them on the install.

 

Hey, those Van Cleaves look familiar

 

Lucky for you I do not live anywhere near you. I would probably be such a pest that you would have to keep your shades drawn until I went away OMG Lupo's here again - HIDE!

[gascarnut]

I have the orange gloves on my cabinet, and so far have had no issues at all.