Thanks for the idea.

I have thought about laser cutting them in the past but I decided on 3D printng mainly because of the profile of the spokes. It maybe worth revisiting laser cutting as an alternative method though.

Last night I ordered some more wheel centers. I have now ordered some without a central hole for the axle along with some of the original design. Hopefully my lathe is upto the job and will be able to drill the holes concentrically (I havent had much luck with this previously, even with collet chucks). I will try out the wheels with the axle hole first though as thats the easiest solution!

Sorry to keep banging on about Chris Pendleton, but he doesn't recommend drilling the axle holes. Instead he uses a tiny boring bar after mounting the wheels by the rim in a collett. Not sure if this would be possible at half the size though. He also has some words about how to ensure that the collett is concentric with the lathe spindle - all about making it on the same lathe and marking it so that when you use it you fit it in exactly the same orientation as when it was made.

Regards, Andy

If you're interested, I've still got my laser cut wheels somewhere. Not much good for 2mm scale (1.5mm thick material) but it would give you an indication of how they would look.

Sorry to keep banging on about Chris Pendleton, but he doesn't recommend drilling the axle holes. Instead he uses a tiny boring bar after mounting the wheels by the rim in a collett. Not sure if this would be possible at half the size though. He also has some words about how to ensure that the collett is concentric with the lathe spindle - all about making it on the same lathe and marking it so that when you use it you fit it in exactly the same orientation as when it was made.

 

Regards, Andy

That is useful to know Andy, thank you. I have looked on and off for a small boring bar capable of boring sub-1mm diameter holes but havent found anything that I was happy with, not having access to a grinder too makes it hard to grind something suitable to shape too. I thought about turning a wheel rim on the lathe, I even made a tool to turn the tread but its kind of getting away from the idea of using standard 2mmSA wheel rims which I want to do.

Rather than drilling or boring the axle hole in a blank centre, had you thought about having the wheels printed slightly oversize, mounting them on a mandrel and skimming down to size before fitting the tyres? Apologies if you've already tried this.

 

  Alex.

Its a possibility Alex, thanks. I would go for drilling the axle hole though because I will do it after the wheel rim is pressed on, this means the wheel should be true to the rim and not just the wheel center.

If you're interested, I've still got my laser cut wheels somewhere. Not much good for 2mm scale (1.5mm thick material) but it would give you an indication of how they would look.

I would be very interested, thanks. It would be interesting to see what they look like, especially the wheel spokes.

M

Hi Julia,

Nice to see you today. The Pecket looks incredible, wheel problems or not! Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me, most enlighting and I hope to make use of your motor to get the N2 ready but not a 2mm finescale chassis... yet!

Hi Steve.

Likewise and thanks for bringing your engines along for me to take a look at, they are amazing and you should be very proud of them. Thanks also for taking the time out on Sunday to show me how you do that beautiful lining, I am itching to give that a go!