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Quick tire size gauge


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#1 Paul Lindewall

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Posted 07 November 2021 - 07:46 AM

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.) 

 

tire gauge.jpg


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#2 Racer36

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Posted 07 November 2021 - 12:08 PM

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


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#3 Paul Lindewall

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Posted 07 November 2021 - 12:59 PM

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.



#4 bbr

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Posted 07 November 2021 - 01:32 PM

I would add a slot on the edge of each hole so the tool can be used while tire is on the car
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Mike Low
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Give me enough rope and I'll build a fast car... or hang myself?

#5 Eddie Fleming

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Posted 07 November 2021 - 01:49 PM

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


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#6 MSwiss

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Posted 07 November 2021 - 02:33 PM

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

Mike Swiss
 
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
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#7 Paul Lindewall

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Posted 07 November 2021 - 03:14 PM

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. 

tire gauge.jpg


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#8 bbr

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Posted 07 November 2021 - 04:39 PM

Available 4 sale ?
Mike Low
Cry like a baby, drive like a girl, walk like a man.
Give me enough rope and I'll build a fast car... or hang myself?

#9 Paul Lindewall

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Posted 07 November 2021 - 05:47 PM

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.  



#10 bbr

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Posted 07 November 2021 - 05:53 PM

I will take two, if get enough takers
Mike Low
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Give me enough rope and I'll build a fast car... or hang myself?

#11 Zippity

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Posted 07 November 2021 - 06:27 PM

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

 

Screenshot 2021-11-08 122531.jpg

 

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


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#12 Paul Lindewall

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Posted 07 November 2021 - 08:12 PM

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

 

 

 

It looks like they closed up shop in 2017. 



#13 boxerdog

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Posted 07 November 2021 - 10:13 PM

I will take one. 


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#14 Tim Neja

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Posted 07 November 2021 - 10:56 PM

I'll take one if you make them!  :)


She's real fine, my 409!!!

#15 Paul Lindewall

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Posted 08 November 2021 - 08:29 AM

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


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#16 mreibman

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Posted 08 November 2021 - 08:52 AM

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


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#17 boxerdog

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Posted 08 November 2021 - 09:11 AM

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. 

 

attachicon.gif tire gauge.jpg

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


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#18 Paul Lindewall

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Posted 08 November 2021 - 09:31 AM

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

 

What range of sizes would you need for Retro?



#19 MSwiss

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Posted 08 November 2021 - 10:26 AM

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.

Mike Swiss
 
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder

17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)

Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559


#20 Phil Smith

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Posted 08 November 2021 - 10:32 AM

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


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#21 Racer36

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Posted 08 November 2021 - 10:43 AM

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


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#22 Paul Lindewall

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Posted 08 November 2021 - 10:53 AM

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.  :shok:


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#23 spudboy

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Posted 08 November 2021 - 11:07 AM

I would be interested in one Paul.


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#24 Paul Lindewall

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Posted 08 November 2021 - 11:10 AM

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. 

tire gauge.jpg


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#25 Tim Neja

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Posted 08 November 2021 - 11:19 AM

 

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.


She's real fine, my 409!!!





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