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Hole filling medium for wheel/axle mounting


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Hi everyone, Here's a picture of some wheels that I want to mount to the axle shown, the hole in the wheel is too big. What's the best way to securely mount the wheel to this axle? I have thought about using Tamiya liquid cement mixed with styrene dust to create a filler, and , then re-drilling the hole. Is this the best way to do this?

Thanks.

wheelaxle1_zpsl6rrz46a.jpg

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If you're comfortable re drilling the hole,I would fill the hole with plastic rod or even better plastic tube of the appropriate size. If you were to use the tamiya cement with melted plastic as a filler you could run the risk of melting or distorting the wheel.

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Rob, Cato, I haven't done anything yet, I thought about trying to build up the spindle but wasn't sure what to use.

Cato, is that what you mean for the JB Weld? For building up the spindle? Put the coats on with a brush, or, something like that? A brushette? Could just dip it in the bottle.

Edited by Speedfreak
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It might cost a little more, but getting the wheel centered might be easier. Take some plastic, aluminum or brass tubing that will fit into the wheel and has an inside diameter that matches the spindle. It will give you a wheel that will not wobble.

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Rob, Cato, I haven't done anything yet, I thought about trying to build up the spindle but wasn't sure what to use.

Cato, is that what you mean for the JB Weld? For building up the spindle? Put the coats on with a brush, or, something like that? A brushette? Could just dip it in the bottle.

If you dip it, yes you could if you can sand it circular again. Can fill holes with it and redrill any size you want too. Just work quickly with it.

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If I used JB Weld to fill these holes, why would I need to 'work quick' with it?

Because it's really a 2-part epoxy... and there are many other types of products in JB Weld's lineup, but to me, the epoxy putty would be the way to go on this "fix". (checked their website for the info...)

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Just curious but I noticed your answers about this product, and I honestly thought it was just a liquid cement... Is it more like a "liquid plastic"?

I'll put it this way:

In 1995, I repaired a broken cast iron bolt boss in the oil pan rail of an engine that sees 7000 RPM and is bathed in 250 degree oil. After it cured, I tapped it to hold the bolt that gets torqued to 25 LBFT.

Should be OK in your plastic model car I think...

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I seem to be doing a lot of this recently ... might be just fitting different wheels to builds. I use plastic and brass tubes to reduce hole sizes and also to enlarge them .. especially the axle shafts that fit into the tubes. All of these are hobby tubes that fit well one inside the other as the size goes up or down. Filling with putty and drilling would be much more work .. not to mention finding the center to drill.

Here's a photo to show what I'm talking about .. This is an adaptation of Prowler wheels to a '32 Ford.

frontaxleDSC_0884.jpg

I would find the largest plastic tube that fits tightly in the hole. One that is slightly larger would be good as you can drill out the hole to fit. This makes finding the center easy. Then add short sections inside to take the diameter down to just smaller diameter than whet you need and drill the proper diameter in that. Just use plastic glue ... I let it set up before drilling the holes. This lets you easily narrow the diameter and still makes getting the new hole square on center. Couldn't be easier.

Edited by Foxer
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To go along with Foxer, odds are there is a Plastruct or Evergreen styrene tube that will fit over the spindle. Drill out the wheel boss to make the tube fit inside. That way there's no worrying about finding the center and re-drilling.

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Nice work Mike. I need to make the spindles 'evenly' round, they are kind of uneven right now. .080" plastic rod fits snuggly in the hole right now. I'm planning on a trip to my LHS, 'Hobby Haven, today hopefully, there's one guy that works there that knows about modeling. Thanks for all the good info, my modeling world would sure be different if it were not for this forum. :)

Edited by Speedfreak
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