07-16-2025, 09:23 PM
I sourced the wheels
I decided to cast my wheels. I had a two part silicon mold maker and used the wheels off an old Magnuson ford tractor truck. I made a 3-d dam out of styrene and glued the original metal wheels to the bottom. Then I mixed the silicon and poured it over the originals. It took a couple days for the silicon to cure but after that I now have a source for unlimited truck wheels.
I decided to experiment with the material to cast the new wheels in and used hydrocal instead of resin. As they are a small part and not really going to be handled I figured to ease of mixing some hydrocal plaster would have it's adavantages. after pouring and letting the castings cure I popped them out of the mold and sanded the backs flush with the tires
The original cast metal wheels are on the left, the hydrocal castings are on the right. The only thing I have to do after removing the castings from the mold and sanding the backs is to seal the casting with some clear flat to keep them from chipping the paint off later.
I decided to cast my wheels. I had a two part silicon mold maker and used the wheels off an old Magnuson ford tractor truck. I made a 3-d dam out of styrene and glued the original metal wheels to the bottom. Then I mixed the silicon and poured it over the originals. It took a couple days for the silicon to cure but after that I now have a source for unlimited truck wheels.
I decided to experiment with the material to cast the new wheels in and used hydrocal instead of resin. As they are a small part and not really going to be handled I figured to ease of mixing some hydrocal plaster would have it's adavantages. after pouring and letting the castings cure I popped them out of the mold and sanded the backs flush with the tires
The original cast metal wheels are on the left, the hydrocal castings are on the right. The only thing I have to do after removing the castings from the mold and sanding the backs is to seal the casting with some clear flat to keep them from chipping the paint off later.