A few years ago I bought MasterTools (Trumpeter) saw set which apart from some useful PE saws had a little jig that would allow you to cut a groove in a part at a various heights by swapping various shims around. Unfortunately the blade stuck out so far it tended to deflect easily leaving you with a wobbly line and reaching for the filler/sander.
Wishing to add some detail to the wheels for my Wessex build I thought about how to better do this using a JLC saw blade I had. After thinking through a few iterations I decided to first make the simplest tool possible so with some acrylic cut for the base and some rectangles from various thicknesses of plastic card that were just a little narrower than the blade. Drilled a couple of 5mm holes through all the parts that lined up with those in the blade, and finally rustled up a some M5 bolts and penny washers. Ta-da!
... keeping the wheel flat just gently rub it against the blade, then flip over and do the same for the other side. Add or combine shims for additional grooves.
Simples (who need 3D printing )
Wedging a suitably sized stick in the hole make it easier to handle smaller wheels. Or if the wheel rotates you essentially rivet the wheel which could add some interesting texture.
I've ordered some wingnuts or convenience but even hand tightening the standard nuts is more then secure enough.
Home made wheel grooving tool
- JamesPerrin
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Home made wheel grooving tool
Classic British Kits SIG Leader Better to fettle than to fill
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- fredk
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Re: Home made wheel grooving tool
Like it
Might be useful for 1/32 car tyres which are usually road-illegal MOT failure slicks
Might be useful for 1/32 car tyres which are usually road-illegal MOT failure slicks
Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..
Its not just how good your painting is, its how good the touch-ups are too.
Its not just how good your painting is, its how good the touch-ups are too.
- JohnRatzenberger
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Re: Home made wheel grooving tool
Very nifty ! I did something similar, but not for tires, long ago but a bit rougher, single use - not as elegant to have any photos taken.
My next will strive for elegance and reuse/adaptability.
My next will strive for elegance and reuse/adaptability.
John Ratzenberger
It's my model and I'll do what I want with it.
It's my model and I'll do what I want with it.
- Stuart
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Re: Home made wheel grooving tool
That's an excellent bit of thinking James - nicely done!
Stuart Templeton I may not be good but I'm slow...
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- skypirate
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Re: Home made wheel grooving tool
Excellent, James!
You can sell these at Telford!
Cheers,
David
You can sell these at Telford!
Cheers,
David