air bags

[randx0]

starting with some heat shrink and some airplane wheels

I found some that matched and were pretty close to the size I needed

I placed the wheels into the tubing

added some heat and voila

Be careful with the heat if you are using plastic inside the blob in front of the axle is a case of to much heat

there are dozens of ways to attach these to your suspension I haven't finished my version yet but it will basically be some slightly larger circles on top and bottom attached directly to the axle and the frame maybe an additional bracket for more height and some fittings for the air .

Hope you can use this.

Please post pics of your version should you use or improve this idea .

Edited August 22, 2010 by randx0

[Modelmartin]

Epiphany?

[crazyjim]

That's a pretty good idea, Randy, but can you buy airplane wheels or have to get a whole kit?

[Steven Zimmerman]

Good tip ! If you can't find airplane tires,go to the hardware store and look for little rubber 'O' rings; gives you a similar look.......

[Railfreak78]

Great idea and I had the same question as I would not want to waste a bunch of plane kits for this but I think Steven may be on to something there. Take your idea and his and make the O rings not get out of shape somehow and apply the shrink tube and whalla hopefully. Nice idea.

[randx0]

I think what you put inside the heat shrink just needs to have the right shape I used the airplane wheels because I knew I had them and I knew they would be the right shape.besides you don't need landing gear just hang it from your ceiling . try fan belt pulleys or head light bezels baby moon caps . incidently I don't build planes at all they just kind of gathered in the old parts bin.

[Steven Zimmerman]

I don't use the heat shrink tubing at all. I stretch two 'O' rings over a short piece of aluminium tubing and build up the rest of it with various other pieces of aluminium,to resemble the 'Shock Wave' airbags/shocks as seen in the car and truck mags........'Z'

[pharr7226]

Great idea. You could also use sanded sprue to get the wheel shapes, then apply the heat shrinking tube. Man, you got my creative juices flowing. How about heat shrinking tube over a spring or coiled wire to make flexible duct hoses...

[randx0]

I bet shirt buttons could work .

[Len Geisler]

Good tip ! If you can't find airplane tires,go to the hardware store and look for little rubber 'O' rings; gives you a similar look.......

That's how I like to do it Steve...