Panels for my Model A.......

[anders nørgaard]

Tim, Randy, all,

4-1/2" x 2" upper..... would it be possible to take a piece of ummm errr... "air inlet hose" from a truck (4-1/2" id) and put that on the upper wheel, to get a rubber surface... or wouldn't 1/4" of rubber be enough

just my 2 c

Anders DK

[tdoty]

Anders, I'll check into that too. I've tossed around several ideas - including making a 6" upper using another 4 1/2" caster as a hub and pouring a 40a durometer urethane wheel. That'd give me 3/4" of fairly soft rubber, but I wonder if it'll be flexible enough? I need to pour some urethane bead roller wheels anyway....................so...................may be?

I also found an 8x2" caster with a pneumatic tire that might fit the upper yoke - but it'd take some modification too. I know Kerry mentioned that a treaded tire works too, but this one's a knobby! Might have to spend some time grinding the knobs off?

If I used 1/4" thick rubber, it would have to be some fairly soft stuff, I think.

Gonna see what's available in the lawn and garden section locally before I start buying stuff just to experiment. 4" hose isn't something I come across every day , and, if I did, it'd probably be too stiff to be of use as a rubber wheel since I work with high-pressure hydraulics :wink: .

Tim D.

[Hupmobile]

Go to your nearest Truck Pro or other truck part dealer. They used to sell straight radiator hose by the foot, and if you only need 3 or 4" they may have that as scrap. If our shop has any I will bring you a piece next weekend.

[Randy Ferguson]

In some cases the hard rubber wheels work better. I'll try to find a picture of Wray's upper "soft" wheels when I get more time. You may find them in his gallery. He uses a go cart slick on his big wheel, but used an entire different setup on his smaller one. Works better than the pnuematic tire in my opinion.

[anders nørgaard]

Randy,

What is the actual purpose of using a rubber wheel? Is it to apply pressure "beyond" the contact area of the anvil or is it to support the panel?

Anders DK

[jlrussell4]

Hello Anders,

The rubber upper wheel is used with a full radius lower anvil to form a radius in a metal panel. No stretching, just bending like large radius die in a brake.

Jim

[anders nørgaard]

Thanks Jim

Anders DK

[Randy Ferguson]

And there's absolutely nothing better for making tapered bends.

I use mine pretty well daily. I'd be lost without it!!!

Here's a picture of one of Wray's rubber wheels I was talking about earlier. He has something like 4 of these, ranging from almost flat to the one pictured. He uses different lower anvils with these, depending on how much radius is needed in the panel.
The hard rubber wheels offer more control than the pneumatic tire. Each one has it's place though, so for a fully outfitted shop, both should be considered a priority item.



Here it is in use.



And here you have a finished piece. GREAT DAY!!!

Look on the table and you'll see two of the rubbber wheels next to the panel. Wray made this part during a demo of the usefullness of the rubber wheel set-up during MM'03.

[anders nørgaard]

Thanks again Randy,

Great pics and the guys looks like they're having fun

I have a friend working in a top-capping factory 8) Would the rubber for a truck tire do for an upper? Cause if it would I'm sure I can make some steel hubs with bearings and talk my friend into "baking" some rubber on to it 8)

Anders DK

[Randy Ferguson]

Should work just fine, Anders.