4 replies to this topic

[James Wendel]

I have recently found a keen appreciation for wheel inserts in slot cars... specifically for the 5/8" ProTrack wheels that we use in the "Big-Wheel" racing classes at Electron Raceway, here in the Valleys of the Umpqua, Roseburg, Oregon.

 

At this morning's race, several of the locals expressed interest in the "rimless" inserts that I made from the wheels from a Ferrari F50 kit.  It just occurred to me that I took pictures of the process, so....

 

The donor kit

 

The kit wheels on sprues, the target wheel, and one completed insert in wheel

 

Step one: we cut away the rim portion between the spokes

 

Step one complete

 

Then clip away as much of remaining rim as possible.

 

A finished insert, after trimming spokes to rough length and carefully filing to "snug press fit" size.

 

Sweet !!! 

 

a closer look.  Inserts are molded in silver-gray. 

I will paint them, perhaps gunmetal, the next time I fire up the airbrush.

[munter]

Looks good...next step is to mold and cast a bunch of them.

[rvec]

James,

Great how to article. I really liked those wheels. Now I see how to make them! Time to get to work

[James Wendel]

Here are the inserts after painting. 

Notice the huge difference in the painted wheels?  Well, actually, it's pretty subtle.

 

This is the "before shot" again of the insert in unpainted, grey plastic.

 

The painted wheel. 

This was a multi-step finish: Tamiya white primer, custom mixed silver/gunmetal, clear topcoat.

 

They look good, but the change between painted and raw plastic is barely noticeable... Ah, well.  

[Dennis David]

John,

 

How about some 21mm inserts?

 

Dennis