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Post by Chris Wright on Jan 8, 2019 13:52:39 GMT -5
Some questions for those who have used these wheels. 1. Did you permanently join part #1 and part #7 together? Or did you use slip fits? How did you join? With solder? Adhesive? Which type of adhesive? YES WITH SUPERGLUE. 2. Have you mounted these wheels on stub axles? Yes, brass tubes, and held the wheels on using a shortend Aluminium Wheel nut, glued with epoxy. 3. Have you replaced the Aluminum wheel nut #8 with a steel nut/pin/axle? No, but it could be steel for better strenghth. 4. How did you attach the wheels to the axle? Brass stub axles, and white metal knockoff. EDIT: I should mention that these wheels do not have grub screws. The rears will have to be permanent then, glue with epoxy. Pix below may help a bit. You can see the axle, and a brass stop. A brass tube goes through wheel and the knockoff is shortened, and inserted in the tube to hold the wheel on.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Jan 8, 2019 15:38:45 GMT -5
Matt, the wheels supplied had grub screw fixing rear wheels and glue fixing fronts. I'd use a small amount of Cyano glue to fix them on a straight 3/32 axle. Fixings to stub axles are according to builder's choice; like Chris, I have used 3/32" brass tube
The wheel nuts are intended as cosmetic features. They are cast in pewter. You will find on the Construction page of the website that the nut 'spigot' is cut off flush with the rear of the hub.
Peter.
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Post by Aurora on Jan 9, 2019 6:12:08 GMT -5
Thanks for the info guys, it's helpful. The wheels I was referring to are indeed the front wheels; the rear wheels do have grub screws so attaching them is straightforward. Seems I have several options to explore for attaching the front wheels.
Peter, the wheels are superb by the way. It's a real treat to have precision parts like these, much better than hacking my own wobbly wheel parts out of plastic.
Matt
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Post by Aurora on Feb 23, 2019 11:33:08 GMT -5
Grill pattern Cut out
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Post by David Mitcham on Feb 23, 2019 14:34:50 GMT -5
Hi Matt
You've really captured the shape of the ERA grille. I'm going to be very interested in your approach to the grille bars - I'm struggling a bit with my Alfa 512 to get the right look and have two versions of the body/grille on the go.
Best Regards
David
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Post by Aurora on Feb 23, 2019 23:07:54 GMT -5
Hi David, yes the grill bars present another of interesting challenge. I've been working this problem over in my mind for months now. The grill assembly on the ERA appears to consist of a structural framework of steel bars overlaid with a mesh screen. I think I can replicate the mesh screen without too much trouble, but as you note, the bars might be the true struggle.
I've spent an inordinate amount of time searching through kitchen supply aisles in local stores examining strainers, sieves, wire grill racks, drain covers, etc., all in a vain attempt to find the correct diameter wire bars fixed in the correct pattern with correct spacing.
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Post by Aurora on Feb 24, 2019 9:30:29 GMT -5
Last year brought about a house move. The new place has a space in which a small work bench could be set up. But in the confusion during the move most of my tools and my stash of slot car parts and scratch build materials were lost. Luckily my modest collection of running slot cars and a few project cars did survive and I could tinker with those while I gathered new tools and supplies. Recovery is now to the point where I can make a decent effort at building again. Still not enough critical spare parts such as motors, wheels, tires, gears, etc., but those will come. This work bench sat forgotten outside in the tropical heat and rain for six months, covered only by a thin plastic film. After drying out for several weeks, it has finally been put to use again. It's warped so I have to hunt around for a flat spot. Not so good for building a square and true slot car.
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Post by Aurora on Feb 25, 2019 13:28:16 GMT -5
Ok, ok, I promise - this is my last post about louvers! I'm sick of them myself! But I do enjoy seeing the various approaches people take to make them. Here's the soda pop can approach. Relief cut into the resin. Holes drilled to allow passage of adhesive used to affix the aluminum panels Panels taped in place and ready for adhesive application Finally the darn things are attached to the body! I can die in peace now. Wait a minute, not so fast - who knows what they will look like with a coat of paint?
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Post by tomato007 on Feb 25, 2019 13:54:40 GMT -5
Your approach is fascinating! Looking forward to the next steps. Thomas
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Post by David Mitcham on Feb 25, 2019 15:59:27 GMT -5
Fascinating Matt, your experimentation with making louvres has paid off. Have you thought about making a thin wire frame for the grille bars glued inside the grille opening(s) which would then support the mesh?
Best Regards
David
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Post by Aurora on Feb 26, 2019 1:05:39 GMT -5
David, yes making a thin wire frame is the method that all along I had expected to be the most likely solution. I haven't been able to come up with a better idea. Plus it looks like that's what the real car builders did. I'll start experimenting this afternoon with some stainless steel wire.
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Post by Aurora on Mar 3, 2019 10:21:04 GMT -5
I need to mention the fine work of John "Munter" Warren. The three resin body shells on the left were cast by John using my master on the right. What a treat to be able to work on a smooth uniform resin shell, instead of the rough master which consists of scores of separate pieces of several different base materials. The original plan was to cast a simple unrefined shell without any detail, add details, and then re-cast the detailed shell to create the final version. No time for that now so I'm using one of these shells to build the car. Thanks John! The car has a split grill and both the vertical element that divides the grill and the lower horizontal element are quite thin. This T-shaped steel reinforcement is added in an attempt to add some strength. Two attempts to make the grill bars. Both stainless steel. The grill on the left is a single piece of wire with cross members brazed together. When laid out flat in two dimensions, it was almost acceptable. But when it was bent into a 3-dimensional structure that could fit into the grill opening of the body, this of course played havoc with the proportions, resulting in the distorted mess shown. On the right is an attempt using thinner separate wire elements brazed together. A little better but it's almost impossible to prevent the individual wires from bending and kinking.
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Post by f143 on Mar 4, 2019 1:22:42 GMT -5
I like the look of both Matt, although the first one looks like a "distorted mess". it looks to me like a cartoon drawing of a grill and so it has some merit. However I realise what you are hoping to achieve and these may not be up to your usual excellent standards of presentation. I wait to see how you fettle the grill. Thanks for showing your work. Nigel
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Post by David Mitcham on Mar 4, 2019 4:12:14 GMT -5
Hi Matt
I think the second version is best and once its secured in the front opening and covered with mesh I don't think the slight distortion will be noticeable. You could try making former in wood to the shape of the opening to hold, position and shape the wires on that before soldering them together.
Best Regards
David
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Post by Aurora on Mar 4, 2019 11:48:42 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback guys. Nigel, I can see it now that you mention it - the distorted grill does look like a cartoon image. I'll save it for a novelty project and match it with some patched-up balloon tires. David, I think you're right that a wood former would probably be the best solution. I also considered pressing modeling clay into the body cavity to create a former. But as luck would have it, my third attempt yielded results that are acceptable to me. Instead of pressing an entire grill rack into the cavity to conform to the shape, each individual grill bar was formed separately into the correct curve before fitting into grill opening. No soldering this time. The bars were attached with CA and epoxy. I do have to admit that although the grill assembly is greatly magnified in this photo, the bars aren't all that visible in real life. Figuring out a method to create all the various components that comprise the car is an enjoyable challenge. Components with compound curves and asymmetrical lines such as grills, louvers, brakes, etc. are real head-scratchers.
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