Large Scale Central

Wheel painting jig

Modeling Technical Modeling
#1

I’m always looking for a way to do things faster. I had tried having a wheel painting jig laser cut in the past. It worked OK, but I felt like I could do better. A while back, I had this printed at Shapeways:

I cast four copies, and then made a new mold, which produced this:

Here’s what it looks like with wheels mounted:

And the finished wheel:

#2

Great Idea! But why cast them? Why not just have them printed? Is casting that much cheaper? Are you selling them?

#3

It is cheaper to cast. It also takes a little fine tuning to get the flange depth right (see the styrene shims on the original), so I only wanted to do that once.

I could sell them, but they are made specifically for Gary Raymond #1 scale 36" wheels.

#4

Burl Rice said:

It is cheaper to cast. It also takes a little fine tuning to get the flange depth right (see the styrene shims on the original), so I only wanted to do that once.

I could sell them, but they are made specifically for Gary Raymond #1 scale 36" wheels.

Funny, I was thinking those shims were an integral part of the design but I couldn’t figure why. I think I’ll make some of these for myself. I have a few different size wheels but also a 3d printer so I’m quite certain it will be cheaper than casting (for me). Thanks for the idea! Beats using blue painter tape!

#5

Burl Rice said:

I’m always looking for a way to do things faster.

Me too

#6

I put some tape on the axle ends, so I don’t gum up the journals. Then I just spray paint the wheels and axles. After an hour of running on the railroad, the treads are paint free.

#7

I would do the same thing if I wasn’t using ball bearings.

#8

Does that make a difference? I have been putting ball bearings in my USA truck’s journals.

#9

I think he means with the bearings the paint won’t wear off the tread as fast?

#10

I’m thinking it doesn’t matter so much if there is paint on the end of the axle if you are using bearings.

#11

I was only talking about the ends.

#12

Maybe this will make more sense:

#13

So I took both ideas and came up with this.

Wheel Mask

Printed with Makerflex filament so no need for rubber bands. These are Bachmann Large.