Scott Colmer Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 (edited) Spun aluminum wheel covers like the product made famous by Dean Moon are a great addition to a street rod or LSR project. Parts by Parks makes an excellent set that work in 1/25 or 1/24 scale. You can also make your own if you need a special size or just like making parts. Here's how to do it. First you need to find 4 soda cans. The bottom of the can is what to use to make the disk. Hosted on Fotki Look for the cans that have the laser printed numbers. I have a good collection of 7UP can bottoms that have this feature. Hosted on Fotki Watch out for the cans with the embossed numbers. The embossing may show up on the convex side. Depending on how deep the embossing is, you may be able to sand the embossing flat later in the process. Hosted on Fotki Use scissors to cut the bottom of the can free. BE CAREFUL! the edges are sharp. I were gloves to get the stage seen below. Then trace the inside diameter of your tire on the the center of the can bottom. In this case I made my own LSR tires from ring sizers. Hosted on Fotki Edited January 3, 2015 by Scott Colmer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Colmer Posted January 3, 2015 Author Share Posted January 3, 2015 (edited) Use the scissors to trim OUTSIDE the guide line. Hosted on Fotki Next use a sanding stick to size the disk to your line. Take your time and work your way around the edge. Check you work to your rim and tire that you are covering once it is a fit you are ready to mount the disk on the chuck. Mounting the disk is a bit tricky but very doable. Go find an old large face grinning bit like the one seen below. Put liquid tape around the outside edge. Let is sit for less than a minute. Then put the the disk on the grinding bit. Try to center it as much as possible. Now put the bit with the disk attached in your hand drill. Turn it VERY slowly and nudge the disk until it turns perfectly centered. Carefully Remove the the bit and centered disk from the drill without disturbing the alignment. Turn it over and lock the disk in place with a heavy coat of CA glue around the outside edge of the grinding surface, Let it dry completely. Hosted on Fotki Now you are ready to turn your hand drill into a lathe. Secure the drill and use 800 grit sanding paper on a block to do the final true on the disk. Also work the surface a bit to flatten any light embossing that may have shown up on the face of your disk. Finally go to a 1500 grit on a soft sanding block to get your spun surface. Hosted on Fotki To release the disk from the grinding bit without damaging it, flood the attachment point with CA debonder found in any hobby shop. Let it sit for a bit to work against the CA glue, then careful pry the disk free. If seems still stick apply more debonder. You can clean the mounting area with lacquer thinner. The first disk is the pattern that can be used to size the rest of the disks. Hosted on Fotki If you want to think outside the box a bit, consider adding styling holes like the example below. Or you can color them with candy paint. Or experiment with sharpies. Mistakes can be wiped off with lacquer thinner. Hosted on Fotki Scott Edited January 3, 2015 by Scott Colmer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrecker388 Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Very nice tutorial Scott. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1930fordpickup Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 I second that . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-Ram Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Hi Scott, Thanks for the tutorial Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Great idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunkypeanutbutter Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 I should try this for baby moons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twokidsnosleep Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Cool stuff man, this is what a modelling site is all about learning how to do it, not just seeing what someone has done. Thanks for this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren B Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 awesome thank you for sharing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geras24 Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Great tutorial... Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Great tutorial Scott! I made a set from pop cans years ago. But, I polished them and they didn't have the "right" look in my eyes. I never did use them on anything. I wonder if a person could glue the disc to the grinding stone with Elmers glue and then soak it in water to remove it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Colmer Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share Posted January 31, 2015 Thanks for the interest everyone. You just have to give it a try. Roger, I am not sure of the strength of white glue as a bonding agent, but there is only one way to find out. Let us know what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 I think I'll try it with my polished covers and see if it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Good stuff, Scott. Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagercr Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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