3d printed 1/6 scale ww1 wheels

[mightypeesh]

Hi Gents. I have just taken over a partially built Flair Legionnaire kit which has the main wing and fuselage structures built to a lovely standard. The box included a set of Flair vintage wheels which i have never quite liked the look of - good for an SE5 but not sure on a Nieuport.... I have started tinkering with Fusion 360 CAD software and have access to 3d printers at work so thought I would have a go at designing my own to see if I can do a job more to my liking!

 

I find Fusion a very user friendly bit of software (once you have pulled your hair out getting the basics right) and quickly had a file suitable for what I wanted which I printed out in PLA. I designed them for a tyre made from 16mm neoprene cord and to have a 5mm brass tube bush in the centre given an shaft size of 4mm. If Anybody is interested in the files along with a tool for cutting the neoprene accurately and aligning the ends for gluing I have put them onto Thingiverse here for you to use.

 

 

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Kit of parts ready to go!

 

I wanted to add some spoke detailing to the wheels where the hole is using wire and added a air valve using a bit of carbon rod. The trusty Dremel soon had the wire in place. I also wanted to cover the wheels in fabric for a softer more scale look. I found the best covering came from an old cotton pillow case which I used Easy Dope on to stick it down. I will let the pictures do the talking....

 

 

        

 

         

 

 

 

            

 

 

 

All epoxied together, using the brass bush to centralise each half. Don't forget to paint inside the wheels where it can be seen as it will be jolly difficult once joined.

 

The next bit is the tyres. The 16mm neoprene is from fleabay for just under a fiver for a meter. This will give you enough for three tyres which means you can mess one out of three up!

I have also put the tool for cutting the cord square and aligning the ends accurately for gluing on the Thingiverse page for you. I cut the neoprene to 285mm initially, but trimmed it a tiny bit so that the tyre is a nice snug fit on the rim. I will glue the tyre on once the wheels are painted, probably with epoxy. I found the best glue for the ends is good old Evostick. I applied two even thin layers to each end allowing to dry between the first and second application, then touch dry on the second before bringing them together in the jig and taping together with masking tape so there was slight pressure on the ends. Leave overnight for a good strong bond, then repeat.

 

        

 

 

 

      

 

That's it really, I am pleased with the result of my first foray into CAD modelling and 3d printing. The wheels are 4 1/4" in diameter (110mm) and weigh just under 50 grams each before paint. I think will look great on the Nieuport, the build of which I will post here when some more goodies turn up in the post. the last pic is of them next to the Flair vintage wheels as a comparison. 

 

       

 

 

 

All ready for paint. Hope you like them, Cheers, Simon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FlyinFlynn]

Very nice... you know there is flexible filament now that you could use to print the tyres in situ...... (not that I've tried printing with it)

[mightypeesh]

Very interesting, I will have to do some investigation. Still I enjoy a bit of gluing and cutting combined with the printing part, though I might need to get work to invest in some flexible stuff for 'research purposes' 

[Phil McCavity]

That's a first class job there peesh, take a pat on the back from me.

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Ditto, great job. ?

[McG 6969]

Splendid job really, mightypeesh.  ?

 

Must convince myself now to get that Creality Ender out of its box and give it a maiden print job...

 

Cheers

Chris

[mightypeesh]

Thanks folks, I pretty pleased how they came out. definitely get the Ender out, you never know where it might lead. I think a mixture of traditional building and 3d printing is the way to go, it's just another tool to be used!