3D printed spoked wheels (Ramcharger FED)

[Dan Cooper]

I am starting a new project that I got as a gift for Christmas.  It's the Ramcharger FED.  I much enjoyed building my first FED in eons last year but was disappointed with the wire wheels from the old kit.  I have been casting about trying different ways th make wire wheels without success.  I then thought to see if I could get my 3D printer to make some acceptable wheels.  

My ambitions are modest.  Just something better than the kit.  I know I can't get fine enough spokes to  look better than real wire or photo etch but I can't seem to get those methods to work.  With this in mind I fired up the computer and had at a design after carefully measuring the kit parts.  I used Fusion 360 and this is what I have got working at the moment ( WIP) .

 

I've managed to get the design into my Elegoo Mars printer and printed a test piece.  So far the wheel fits the tyre but needs some work on getting the supports just right to print reliably.  ( To be honest I'm over the moon with how well it fits the tyre.)  

 

I can now start to think about some subtle tweaks to make it look a touch better.  It's not as good as a hand laced wheel but I think it is a step in the right direction.  Please let me know what you think and any suggestions would be appreciated.  

Thanks for looking in.

Dan

[peteski]

Dan,  your effort looks pretty good.  You might also look at the following thread for some inspiration:  I bought some of Randy's 3D printed wheels and they were exquisite.

What is amazing about those 3D printed wheels is that the spokes are interlaced (front to back) just like the 1:1 wheels.  This feature is not achievable in either photoetched or wire-laced wheels.  But it is not as important in your motorcycle-type wheels where the spokes don't really cross front-to-back.

[chris chabre]

LOOKS AWESOME!

[MeatMan]

Definitely an upgrade.

Keep at it, you'll get down.

[Jimmy Wilson]

I'd buy some of those for sure! Nice work.

[Jimmy Wilson]

On 2/3/2022 at 1:43 AM, peteski said:

Dan,  your effort looks pretty good.  You might also look at the following thread for some inspiration:  I bought some of Randy's 3D printed wheels and they were exquisite.

What is amazing about those 3D printed wheels is that the spokes are interlaced (front to back) just like the 1:1 wheels.  This feature is not achievable in either photoetched or wire-laced wheels.  But it is not as important in your motorcycle-type wheels where the spokes don't really cross front-to-back.

What thread?

[peteski]

49 minutes ago, Jimmy Wilson said:

What thread?

Huh?

The one that shows up under the text in my post (Model Builders' Warehouse 3D Printed Borrani Wire Wheels).   Click on it.  If for some reason you don't see it in my earlier post, here is a "plain" link to that thread: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/150587-model-builders-warehouse-3d-printed-borrani-wire-wheels/

[Jimmy Wilson]

On 2/4/2022 at 11:35 PM, peteski said:

Huh?

The one that shows up under the text in my post (Model Builders' Warehouse 3D Printed Borrani Wire Wheels).   Click on it.  If for some reason you don't see it in my earlier post, here is a "plain" link to that thread: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/150587-model-builders-warehouse-3d-printed-borrani-wire-wheels/

It wasn't showing up for me. Or least I didn't think it was. I'm old and easily confused these days.

Thanks!