I am going to try and change the thick plastic wheel spokes to metal ones.

I spent Sunday afternoon after chores making a wheel jig


It can be tightened up to hold the wheel hub tight in place
Next chrome will be removed and then the spokes too









Going to take a slash at redoing all the spokes and making a proper double row and in scale ?Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Mon Jul 13, 2020 5:49 am Got the chrome off in 30 second, like literally 30 seconds in the oven cleaner
Then laid out the holes in pen...bit confusing trying to see the pattern![]()
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I used easy off to strip chrome on the Miura build, couldn't believe how quickly the stuff worksTwokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Mon Jul 13, 2020 5:49 am Got the chrome off in 30 second, like literally 30 seconds in the oven cleaner
Then laid out the holes in pen...bit confusing trying to see the pattern![]()
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Been studying your photo, and I'm still confused!Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Mon Jul 13, 2020 5:49 amThen laid out the holes in pen...bit confusing trying to see the pattern![]()
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Thanks for posting that. Now I can see the pattern.Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Mon Jul 13, 2020 9:45 pmI printed my wheel photo out, numbered the spokes from the rim side and then numbered the hub where they came in.
I discovered the alternating odd-even pattern develop and labelled the odd numbered spokes and the red dot they insert into


Oh you were not the only onePanzón wrote: ↑Mon Jul 13, 2020 10:14 pmThanks for posting that. Now I can see the pattern.Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Mon Jul 13, 2020 9:45 pmI printed my wheel photo out, numbered the spokes from the rim side and then numbered the hub where they came in.
I discovered the alternating odd-even pattern develop and labelled the odd numbered spokes and the red dot they insert into![]()


Yes I watched his video on it
I like the metal rod approach, way less messy. Albion alloys do a slide fit brass tube 0.3, 0.5, 0.7mm which your most likely already aware of. Should replicated the spoke tensioners well enough.Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 12:54 amYes I watched his video on it
He used a fishing line and threaded to posts, cemented everything and cut the threads.
Tom Grigot build the same kit as me and I am following more of what he did


I have a fine metal rod but it is just a tad smalldigger303 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 1:04 amI like the metal rod approach, way less messy. Albion alloys do a slide fit brass tube 0.3, 0.5, 0.7mm which your most likely already aware of. Should replicated the spoke tensioners well enough.Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 12:54 amYes I watched his video on it
He used a fishing line and threaded to posts, cemented everything and cut the threads.
Tom Grigot build the same kit as me and I am following more of what he did
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A technique I've used to straighten and slightly harden wire to make it stay straight is to cut a length of wire maybe 2 or 3 feet long, clamp one end in a vise, and grab the other end with pliers, and give it a strong, steady pull. I've usually been able to feel a slight give in the wire that lets me know the wire has stretched enough to remove any bends, and slightly harden the wire. Then you cut the wire into appropriate lengths for the wheel.Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 1:53 am
I have a fine metal rod but it is just a tad small
The test spoke I have is a brass wire that is perfect, BUT you have to pull it taught to be perfectly straight.
I risk having small bends if I use it. Still exploring my options![]()





Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 1:53 amdigger303 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 1:04 amNot sure what size you intend using. I seem to be inundated with 0.3 brass and very bendy, but the 0.5 and 0.7mm seem to be stiff enough.Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 12:54 am I have a fine metal rod but it is just a tad small
The test spoke I have is a brass wire that is perfect, BUT you have to pull it taught to be perfectly straight.
I risk having small bends if I use it. Still exploring my options![]()
Waiting also on a micro-vise I got from Uschi Vander groot in Germany...that looks cool
The Jigster is a expensive little blighter but will never let you down. Those pens are interesting as well.
I bought a tank transporter from them and it arrived water soaked. They sent me a new decal set plus some other diorama stuff like grass mats and the flocking type as a apology. Yet it wasn't there fault it was the freight companies stuff up. I was very impressed with them.
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EDIT... Your already ahead of me as I was posting.....looking great.


Panzón wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 3:22 amA technique I've used to straighten and slightly harden wire to make it stay straight is to cut a length of wire maybe 2 or 3 feet long, clamp one end in a vise, and grab the other end with pliers, and give it a strong, steady pull. I've usually been able to feel a slight give in the wire that lets me know the wire has stretched enough to remove any bends, and slightly harden the wire. Then you cut the wire into appropriate lengths for the wheel.Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 1:53 am
I have a fine metal rod but it is just a tad small
The test spoke I have is a brass wire that is perfect, BUT you have to pull it taught to be perfectly straight.
I risk having small bends if I use it. Still exploring my options![]()




Just need the right motivation


Thanks




I agree
Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 8:25 pmI agree
The kit absolutely leapt into my arms at the LHS![]()


Oi that creeps me out too
LOL.. one of the funniest things I've ever seenTwokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 9:20 pmOi that creeps me out toojchrisf wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 8:54 pmTwokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 8:25 pm
I agree
The kit absolutely leapt into my arms at the LHS![]()
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Man snakes![]()
haha I know the feeling mate, there's some builds that you just want to hurry up & finish as you almost dread working on itTwokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2020 2:45 pmJust need the right motivation![]()
Not sure why the Hornithopter doesn’t do that![]()
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Thanks man, I hope so










Ha ha thanks
















No clue at all actually...will have to look it up
I am so glad you asked that.....I intended to. Was a bit worried to be the only one out of the loop....


