42 replies to this topic

[Paul Lindewall]

When I was racing HO, I had a Tire Size Gauge that was simple to use. Basically, sized holes in a metal plate that you slid the tires into. When it wouldn't fit, you went up one size and that was your diameter.

I looked everywhere, but couldn't find anything similar for my 1/24th flexi cars. So, out came the CAD program, and with some laser cutting on a piece of 1/8" thick 6 ply birch plywood (supplied and laser cut by National Balsa) I created my own. It will measure from a 0.790 down to a 0.680 in 0.010 steps. (NOTE: the 0.005" width of the laser beam was accounted for in the design, so the holes are very accurate.) 

 

[Racer36]

A version for retro sized tires would be a big hit I think. Maybe.830 down to .790 or something?

[Paul Lindewall]

A version for retro sized tires would be a big hit I think. Maybe.830 down to .790 or something?

 

Easily done. Just re-size the holes in CAD and have new pieces cut.

[bbr]

I would add a slot on the edge of each hole so the tool can be used while tire is on the car

[Eddie Fleming]

To much body and pan interference to use it on the car, other than F1 and no slot needed on that one. 

[MSwiss]

I think for item to work, the tire has to be off the the axle, and drop through the hole.

[Paul Lindewall]

I think for item to work, the tire has to be off the the axle, and drop through the hole.

 

It's close, but there is enough clearance (at least on a Cheetah 21 chassis) to slide the tool over the tire while it's still on the axle. 

 

The distance between the edge of the holes and the edge of the tool could be reduced if needed, or, as some have suggested, a small slot could be made from the hole to the edge for chassis/axle clearance. 

[bbr]

Available 4 sale ?

[Paul Lindewall]

Available 4 sale ?

 

That wasn't my original intent, but if there are enough people interested, I can fit ten pieces on a single sheet of plywood. There is a minimum charge for laser time, and depending on how long it takes, it may go up. I can also incorporate some of the feedback, such as reducing the thickness of the edges around the holes to more easily fit over the tires while on the chassis. I think if there were 10 buyers, they would probably run around $9 each.  

[bbr]

I will take two, if get enough takers

[Zippity]

I purchased one years ago from the UK, I think.

 

 

https://www.facebook...nsSlotProducts/

[Paul Lindewall]

I purchased one years ago from the UK, I think.

 

 

 

It looks like they closed up shop in 2017. 

[boxerdog]

I will take one. 

[Tim Neja]

I'll take one if you make them! 

[Paul Lindewall]

Question: would something like this be better, do you think?

 

It has clearance slots that could slip over a 1/8" axle, or the pan of a chassis could slide in the slot for easier measurement. 

 

[mreibman]

Vanguard makes gear gauges for 64 and 72 pitch gears that are basically half-circles. If you follow their idea, you'd cut half of your gauge off and it would be open on both sides....

 

see this: https://www.vanguard...ucts/gear-gauge

[boxerdog]

Question: would something like this be better, do you think?

 

It has clearance slots that could slip over a 1/8" axle, or the pan of a chassis could slide in the slot for easier measurement. 

 

tire gauge.jpg

 I like that mod, and a separate retro-sized one would be great too. 

[Paul Lindewall]

 I like that mod, and a separate retro-sized one would be great too. 

 

What range of sizes would you need for Retro?

[MSwiss]

or the pan of a chassis could slide in the slot

How would the pan slide in?

It's not on the center line of the tire.

[Phil Smith]

Nice job. Maybe the slot would weaken it too much?

[Racer36]

I would vote for the original design, and in 5 thou increments from .790 up.
i would take 2 if they were made available.

[Paul Lindewall]

Nice job. Maybe the slot would weaken it too much?

 

These are cut from a hobby grade, super smooth finish, 1/8" thick 6 ply birch plywood. It is amazingly tough. You'd really have to be an animal to snap it while measuring a tire. Not saying that couldn't happen, but it would (IMHO) be very unlikely. 

 

I've used the material before, as I used to design and build my own RC airplane kits and would have motor bulkheads made of it. Not being a great pilot, I can attest to the fact that the bulkheads were undamaged while the remainder of the plane did not always fare as well. 

[spudboy]

I would be interested in one Paul.

[Paul Lindewall]

How would the pan slide in?

It's not on the center line of the tire.

 

Full size paper printout of the design, slid over a tire with the pan in the notch. 

[Tim Neja]

 

What range of sizes would you need for Retro?

I'd like .710 to .820   --  that would cover every size I could need from Flexi to Retro cars.