David Hayward. Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 I need some vintage wheels (4 3/8); it seems Flair vintage wheels are still unavailable and I'm not a millionaire so I can't afford the Du Bro wheels which I suspect are vastly over priced. Does anyone have any suggestions please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Hi David, Dubro's vintage wheels are indeed quite expensive... and also - maybe that's the reason - quite 'heavy'. Why don't you make your own? It's fairly easy... and lightweight. You need a 6mm balsa (or Depron, even lighter) core in the diameter that is required, two 0,5mm ply roundels (about 10mm larger) glued on each side to make the rim, a piece of brass, ABS or snake outer to make the 'bearing' in the center and two 12 or 15mm ply roundels (one at each side) to reinforce the center for the axle. Your tyre is a length of rubber tubing or neoprene rod (diameter 10 > 12mm) glued to itself and to the rim with neoprene glue. A scrap piece of Solartex ironed on each side... et voilà. The text of the picture above is in French but states exactly what I wrote above. Hope this helps Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hayward. Posted May 11, 2017 Author Share Posted May 11, 2017 Thanks Chris, I have been considering making my own but wanted to see if anyone knew of any other possible sources. Only part of your description I did not follow was: "and two 12 or 15mm ply roundels (one at each side) to reinforce the center for the axle." I understand the centre balsa section and the two ply sides plus the bearing, but don't see the 12 - 25mm roundels on the drawing in the article. Do I need glasses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 I have been experimenting with making my own vintage wheels using the 3D printer. These are 1/4 scale ish for my biplane project. Tony B Edited By Tony Bennett on 11/05/2017 12:11:50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hayward. Posted May 11, 2017 Author Share Posted May 11, 2017 See you have taken over the conservatory Tony; is the wife out of the country? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 nope, she lets me work in there. i think it is so she can keep an eye on me. he he Tony B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Williams Brothers ?? Extra roundels would just be a coupla ply doublers to reinforce where the axel goes thru. D.D. Edited By Dwain Dibley. on 11/05/2017 12:49:23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hayward. Posted May 11, 2017 Author Share Posted May 11, 2017 Thanks Dwain, I've had a phone round and Williams Brothers wheels are a bit thin on the ground in the size I am after but Sussex Models hope to have some in about 10 days. So I just have to decide if I want to pay about £30 for a pair of wheels or have a go at making them myself. Thanks for your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Hi again, David. Well, so sorry if I wasn't clear enough, but DD 'guessed' it right. The smallish ply roundels are in fact doublers for the rim - at each side - with a central hole for the axle. You can see them on the 'side' view in the pic above. If you want to go for an even more 'realistic' look, then you can use some tooth picks (or thin bbq skewers) and glue them between that central ply doubler and the edge of the rim as to imitate some spokes. Once covered with Solartex, it simply looks great. And for £30 you can have about 10 pairs of them... Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hayward. Posted May 11, 2017 Author Share Posted May 11, 2017 Thank you everyone, much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Dell Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 David Have you tried DB Sport &a Scale? They have the Williams a little cheaper but not sure if they are in stock, it does not say they are not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glynn Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 I see WarbirdReplicas are doing some things for the flair range, I like the look of the 1/4 scale vickers machine gun it would go fine on my magnatilla. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 At £30 a pop, McGs idea would seem to be the way to go, I may well have a go myself on the Moth, I bought the balloon wheels with the De'havilland logo from DB Sport, but they are a bit naff. D.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 D.D. Edited By Dwain Dibley. on 11/05/2017 20:51:52 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly boy3 Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Hi David, may have a pair of wheels in the attic saved from a long long gone Magnatilla.Cant quite remember the exact diam.Will check ASAP if that,s any good. Cheers.ps what model are you building ? I do remember they were Williams. Bros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birgir Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Hi David I also went the DYI route to make wheels for my Bleriot. There are some pictures on my web: **LINK** If you choose English and click on the photos there is a little explanation. Later I used neoprane cord instead of foam. B Edited By Birgir on 11/05/2017 22:04:18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hayward. Posted May 11, 2017 Author Share Posted May 11, 2017 Posted by fly boy3 on 11/05/2017 21:07:56: Hi David, may have a pair of wheels in the attic saved from a long long gone Magnatilla.Cant quite remember the exact diam.Will check ASAP if that,s any good. Cheers.ps what model are you building ? I do remember they were Williams. Bros. Hi, I am building a Fokker D. VIII it's actually the Peter Miller plan and requires 4 3/8 wheels of a suitable style. Let me know what you have and If they are suitable what you want for them. Thank you David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly boy3 Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Will check attic on Fri. And report David. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly boy3 Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Hi David, did a check for size, they are 4 3/8 dia, Williams bros wheels. They were a light beige colour but age has turned them a shade of yellow LoL. Have sent you a PM. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard B (DB Sport and Scale Ltd) Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Howdy all, Normally I try and avoid commenting due to the huge amount time and effort involved in our manufacturing activities and very personal attachment although I usually follow with interest what has been said. However, there is a certain phrase on this forum which will rattle around in my brain until addressed. Firstly, I can confirm we do stock Williams Brothers items and you can judge the prices for yourselves over on our website. We place occasional large orders direct and have very recently taken delivery of one such order. The stock on the website is mostly accurate although with recently having moved premises and occasionally selling bits to friends it does very occasionally report incorrectly but that is very infrequent and should improve even more once we've reorganised following the move. Obviously these wheels are available for certain of our models but many people prefer to spend a bit less having often saved up for the price of the kit. For the price we charge, I think the wheels plus hub caps make a valued choice for our modellers and are very popular. They have been used to good effect by huge amounts of people. Obviously if the Vintage wheels are your preference and your funds allow it then you're very welcome to choose those but i feel 'naff' is a little harsh. Lastly, I am currently on holidays (more forum reading time) having put it off for a very long time and milestone birthdays (not mine) should be marked with something special regardless of work even if I'm very keen to get my new workshop up to speed. Although not entirely holiday as people could have seen me and the Wife walking around Florida Top Gun in our "DB Sport and Scale" branded leisure wear and someone did flag me down in the Magic Kingdom commending me on my shirt - he had his local RC club shirt on As it happens I was also the winner of the local club raffle at Top Gun so maybe our photos will appear in a publication somewhere and I've had to purchase some tools to dismantle my new, shiny (hope it stays that way) EDF jet. Sadly it is foam but other than that, it's surprised me with the amount of scale detail and sturdiness of it but then it's certainly not at the budget end of the scale - woohoo, very happy with that as all types of models have their place in our hangars. anyway, I digress, that's what sunburn, dehydration and a couple (plus a couple) of beers does I guess. Website placed orders will still be packed and sent by my Sister whilst I am away. And now I shall try to not read forums for the rest of hols (yeah right).... thanks folks Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Perhaps I should have said I was a little disappointed then, Richard. the price is as you say very competitive, about a quid for the hubcaps. Didn't mean to offend, just voicing my opinion, built quite a few DB kits, wouldn't buy em if I didn't like em. Moth Thread if you haven't seen it. Some poolside reading ? Regards D.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard B (DB Sport and Scale Ltd) Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 no offence precisely because I had already followed your thread keenly. Including the aviary build discussions. Very nice build and blog but, again, I try and refrain from posts as it just gets too complicated but sometimes these posts do popup in search results (like when the business was for sale, that has been a pain to get rid of) which is why I had to answer the particular term used. Plus I do buy in loads of Williams Brothers stuff. If you saw how many times I nodded off at the pool you'd realise how long that would take if I hadn't already read it. I dropped my kindle on the floor and on my face a great many times today! With it being dinner time, I am now off out to glow red amongst the tanned locals. Classy. Best wishes to you and your lovely Moth. Staying off the forums lasted all of a few minutes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Good Man, enjoy your hols, avoid the hanky on the head look and as a matter of honor, I will use your wheels and Hub Caps. D.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 spotted these today in wilco's-aprox 5.1/2 - 6" Dia...thought they may be useful for a large vintage model ... ken Anderson....ne....1....wheel's dept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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