Having checked that I could machine the silver steel rod to make axles I've turned my attention to the actual wheels. I've actually been working on these for a while now. The main problem I had is... what do Ivor's wheels look like? While they always seem to have the same number of spokes they seem to differ slightly from scene to scene, mostly around the thickness of spokes. However, in some shots the wheels have balance weights and in some they don't. In the end I decided to work from a specific drawing in my childhood book.
The plan was to make a 3D model of the wheel, bulked out in diameter slightly. These would then be printed in brass, and then finished on the lathe using a profiling tool. So far I've designed the model (see above), had them printed as a sprue of four wheels (cheaper than printing each separately) and separated the wheels from the sprue.
Next up will be drilling out the central hole for the axle and using a profiling tool to reduce the diameter slightly and add the flange.
These look good.
ReplyDeleteAre you going to glue them to a stepped mandrel whilst machining the tyre and flange bit?
Hopefully I won't have to as I have two tools bought specifically for this job, which will feature in the next few posts.
DeleteFascinating. I'd just planned to cut some spokes out of Romfords. Interesting that the "prototype" changed though. Artists, they just aren't reliable...
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that they went through a number of card models some of which had the balance weights and some didn't. In most of the stationary shots the wheels are positioned so you can see the coupling rods and any balance weights are hidden by the wheel splashers.
Delete