Bengalensis Posted May 11, 2023 Author Share Posted May 11, 2023 I started with a front wheel earlier in the week. It’s important to keep track of the parts as they are different front to rear. There are index tabs to align the parts correctly in the jig. With the hub and the outer rim in the jig I started playing with a spoke and a nipple (just a thin sleeve pipe) to get a feel and think of a method. It felt a bit awkward, somewhat weak and less precise at first. I decided to do the round of bottom layer spokes first, tacking them with a tiny amount of CA in the hole in hub, and then apply the nipples from outside, again tacking them with CA, from outside, then go around the outside again with a full CA bead on each spoke. After completing the first round it felt a lot better. Some hope emerged. With the second round done I felt some real confidence. Round three soon followed. Round four completes the work. It looked good in the jig, but would it separate and hold up? It was only slightly stuck in the jig by tiny amounts of CA, but very easily twisted loose. And when loose it felt really strong. Just like the real world; a spoke or three is nothing but when they are all in place the whole thing is very solid. It now looks like a very well machined and assembled model kit wheel, but I hope some paint and weathering will move the look a bit further. Today in the late afternoon I made the second front wheel in less than two hours, including a work call interrupting things. And the first rear wheel is started. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc2 Posted May 11, 2023 Share Posted May 11, 2023 MFH wire wheels are fantastic! There are some to assemble in my future 😀. M. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watto Posted May 11, 2023 Share Posted May 11, 2023 This is another level 😮 absolutely amazing.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted May 11, 2023 Share Posted May 11, 2023 1 hour ago, Bengalensis said: It now looks like a very well machined and assembled model kit wheel I think it (they) already look superb! Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiny Posted May 11, 2023 Share Posted May 11, 2023 Got to agree, I know its the same process as the real thing but in miniature, but it still has to be said that the end result is stunning and well worth the effort. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klubman01 Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 Wow! They look good. Clearly, the careful, patient approach has paid off. Trevor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neddy Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 Stunning, absolutely stunning.This kit never ceases to surprise me and the quality of the building work matches it. Incredible job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted May 12, 2023 Author Share Posted May 12, 2023 @Malc2 @Watto @keefr22 @Spiny @klubman01 @Neddy Thanks you very much for the kind praise gentlemen! It's a joy to work with the MFH parts, I'm glad you like what comes out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted May 12, 2023 Author Share Posted May 12, 2023 Soon after the first rounds the spokes went in place smoothly and this afternoon the last rear wheel was finished, 224 spokes with nipples done. I have just sprayed a coat of etching primer and now with some paint, even just primer, the slight artificial look of the finished wheels are broken. Tomorrow I will spray them with the same silver I will use as the base on the body and see where that takes them. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 Incredible result 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 (edited) Jorgen, this is amongst the best modelling i've ever seen my friend, utterly stunning, I wish my father was still with us as he was a huge fan of the Auto Union GP Cars. Edited May 12, 2023 by rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PROPELLER Posted May 13, 2023 Share Posted May 13, 2023 These spoke rims are fantastic. But even inside MFH Factory, and other kit suppliers, I'm sorry, the perfect world don't exist! They can't do this: Some years ago I did two (fortunately it's for a 1/8 Hasegawa WWI plane, the SE5 A) with this detail, rims are not turned but stamped... A nightmare, almost not visible after painting, mainly on a picture! Dan. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted May 13, 2023 Author Share Posted May 13, 2023 22 hours ago, CrazyCrank said: Incredible result 👍 Thank you very much! 17 hours ago, rob said: Jorgen, this is amongst the best modelling i've ever seen my friend, utterly stunning, I wish my father was still with us as he was a huge fan of the Auto Union GP Cars. Thanks a lot for the kind praise! I'm sorry your father are no longer here, it would have been nice to have him enjoy it. 9 hours ago, PROPELLER said: These spoke rims are fantastic. But even inside MFH Factory, and other kit suppliers, I'm sorry, the perfect world don't exist! They can't do this: Some years ago I did two (fortunately it's for a 1/8 Hasegawa WWI plane, the SE5 A) with this detail, rims are not turned but stamped... A nightmare, almost not visible after painting, mainly on a picture! Dan. Indeed the MFH wheels are very much a compromise in the finest detail, not only the missing nipple pressings in the outer rim, but also the nipples being only plain round sleeves and the spokes not being bent where they join the hub. The last I thought about adding myself but bowed out in the end. With some weathering I hope to get away as is. Lovely SE5 wheels, great work! 👍 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted May 13, 2023 Author Share Posted May 13, 2023 The wheels have been airbrushed with Tamiya Silver Leaf and will be left at least over night before going further. The wheel nuts where first sprayed Alclad Aluminium, then masked and sprayed Alclad Steel with a tiny drop of Hu 133 Satin Brown mixed in. With a black wash in the cast text and in the joint between the cap and wings, and some silver dry brushing of the wing edges I think the nuts might be done. The tyres first had the casting tabs trimmed off and the mould line sanded. With no access to a 1/12 scale Nurburgring (here is where I again miss the special characters not readily available in Linux) I have to run the Grand Prix in my Emcomat 7. It can be done with a power drill, but I like the excuse to use the lathe a little, something I should really do more. Spinning at 1400 rpm and using stiff 120 grit sanding paper the work is slowly done. No I didn’t try to handle the camera while working in the lathe... With the thread wear done the side walls got a light work over with a Mirka Mirlon pad while spinning. After an hour the tyres looked like this. And after a good tooth brush scrub under water we have this. Much more to my taste, but still need a little more work I think. Maybe a light smear with the Mirlon pad again and only dry cleaning, or some smearing with ash from the fire place, we’ll see. Resin tyres would have been nice, but rarely do we car modellers get that luxury... 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PROPELLER Posted May 13, 2023 Share Posted May 13, 2023 EMCO, a very good fellow... for any job! Touch of reality with these tires, again, well done. Dan. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted May 13, 2023 Author Share Posted May 13, 2023 22 minutes ago, PROPELLER said: EMCO, a very good fellow... for any job! Touch of reality with these tires, again, well done. Dan. Thanks a lot Dan! The Emco really is! It's a good quality feeling handling the parts of it and hearing the sounds of it working. My father taught me doing some work in this very machine not very long after he bought it new in the early 70's when I was a little boy. I've done a lot of work in it since and now it's part of my workshop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 14 hours ago, Bengalensis said: I think the nuts might be done. I think you're right to think that, they look superb - as do the wheels and those worn and scuffed tyres - brilliant work again Jörgen! 15 hours ago, Bengalensis said: some smearing with ash from the fire place That's a new one to me, not heard of that before - sounds intriguing! 15 hours ago, Bengalensis said: Resin tyres would have been nice, but rarely do we car modellers get that luxury... Something I've long wished for too..... Lovely update again Keith 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toftdale Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 11 hours ago, keefr22 said: Lovely update again What Keith said, thanks for sharing - Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted May 15, 2023 Author Share Posted May 15, 2023 On 14/05/2023 at 09:26, keefr22 said: Something I've long wished for too..... Lovely update again Keith Thanks a lot Keith! Sadly we seem to be in a minority as the soft tyres continue to dominate. 22 hours ago, Toftdale said: What Keith said, thanks for sharing - Andy Many thanks Andy, glad you like! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted May 15, 2023 Author Share Posted May 15, 2023 Well, I try the ashes again. I suppose it’s similar to using some sort of pigments. I picked up the idea from someone, possibly here on BM, I can’t remember who, but he used his ashtray. I don’t run an ashtray myself, but I do burn a lot of wood... I dip my finger tip in some of the fine powder and smear it around the side wall, brush of any excess with a stiff brush then wipe it with a cloth, and go another round if desired. Right now I have this, I’ll dwell on that. The wheels have got a first basic black wash around all the spoke and nipple joints. The air valves were fitted and then I added the balancing weights from 0,4 mm lead wire. As a modeller I can cheat and balance the wheels before the tyres are fitted... 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neddy Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 It works really well - what a grate idea! 😄 (Sorry!) 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toftdale Posted May 15, 2023 Share Posted May 15, 2023 4 minutes ago, Neddy said: It works really well - what a grate idea! 😄 (Sorry!) You should be more than sorry, you should be totally ASHamed 😁 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted May 16, 2023 Author Share Posted May 16, 2023 Today I gave the wheels a more neutral dirt wash in all the edges. On silver colour it’s a little less visible in photos that in reality. And the tyres are fitted to the wheels. Now awaits the first test of properly fitted wheels to the completed chassis... 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted May 16, 2023 Share Posted May 16, 2023 3 hours ago, Bengalensis said: Now awaits the first test of properly fitted wheels to the completed chassis... Can't wait to see how she looks! Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klubman01 Posted May 16, 2023 Share Posted May 16, 2023 Those wheels and tyres look sooo good! Trevor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now