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#1 ·
Wheel making jig number 3

This is wheel jig number 3.

Make sure your eyes are rested and you have your reading glasses handy it's a long one.

Here's the kind a wheels I can make with this jig.
Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire White


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber


I seem to never quit finding I need to adjust my jig for different sized wheels, and have been building more modern cars that use small wheels even though they are not small models.
The case in point was my last build a Mustang, I blow up the plans to be twice as big and the wheels were still under 2".
This is a problem as my jig was made for wheels around 2 3/4 or bigger and I need to use a 7 1/4 saw blade to get the thin kerfs that looks right..
The problem comes in because to do the smaller wheels the blade needs to be raised in the jig but a 7 1/4 blade will only go up so far, a 10" blade will work but if you cut 36 treads for the tire as the jig is set up for, the thicker blade cut and the smaller circumference of the wheel make for some really thin treads.
The fix is to make an adjustable jig that can raise and lower the axle bar as needed to still be able to use the 7 1/4 blade.

The jig I use now can do this but you have to take the axle bar apart and lower to different holes to get it done and it's very time consuming.
So the plan is to take my oldest wheel jig apart and use the table saw sled from it then build an adjustable axle bar for it.

Some one asked me a question the other day and I went to looking up an answer in my blog posts and even with the index I made things are hard to find about wheel making.
As I'm now waiting for Gatto to send me their plans for a Chevy Corvette I thought I would redo the wheel jig and get ready for some wheels and while I'm at it make a blog of the jig build with measurements .

So here's the jig all finished up, I guess I should put some finish on it but it's a tool not a model.
Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


I know some will say it looks just like the last one but there's two really big differences.
One is the height adjustment and the other is when I switch from one angle to the other or to straight all my guides use the same dowel holes for setting the angle so no more confusion about which hole is which so the change over is much quicker.

With the back guide fence in place and the quick change wheel stop I've still got 6 1/2" of space for tire blanks, which means I can do 6 to 8 tires at a time in the straight cut mod.
In angled mod you can only do one at a time and some times two if I'm not after to nice a match on the tread.

The base is a table saw sled with no braces top and bottom [If I start having any warp problems I will add some but have had nun in over a year]

Here is the sled bottom when finished, it was square to start with.
There are a ton a how 2s about making the sled so check one of them out.
Every table saw is different so need to make to suit, just remember that where the blade come through is the important thing, adjust to that..
The cut angle on the bottom of the sled are so the handle can turn as it hangs over the side of the sled.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


First I build a box 5" wide and 3" deep, and 4" high, there is a grove cut [3" side] where the axle bar needs to go throw and needs to be able to go up and down.
The grove goes up to 2 1/2", which should let me make 4 3/4 wheels to 1 1/4.
This box is used to keep everything squared up.
Made with a top and bottom and I used screws so if anything down the road needs changed no problem.

Wood Audio equipment Hardwood Gas Public address system

Notice I have a 3/4 space before the long sides, this is for the axle guide plates, front and back.
NOTE Cut all the sides and guide plates at the same time so all will match up, also the axle holes.
Really none of these measurements are critical I just went big for if I ever build another Hummer, then again if tractors are in your future go wide my friend go wide and high. LOL

Wood Table Hardwood Lumber Plywood


Now for the guide plates which should fit snug so as you raise and lower them they'll match the other side.
I won't be raising and lowering that much so will just use screws to hold them in place as needed.
Later I may add dowels for fast high adjustments.
I drilled 1/4" holes for the axles in the sliding plates about 1 1/4" high but I could have gone down to 3/4" or the top of the bottom plate.
These are the plates that will go up and down when needed for tread height.

Down for the smaller wheels.
Wood Audio equipment Gas Electric fan Technology


Up for the big dogs.

Wood Audio equipment Gas Hardwood Plywood


I used 1/4" all tread for the jig, which matches my model builds if you build with bigger axles use bigger, bigger would be better.
Here you can see where I bolt a wheel with some sand paper on it, this is where the wheels get held to the axle so they can't move.
I use tree nuts to help hold it all together.
Note I add a small screw to the tee nut to make sure all stays in place.

The nut pattern goes as follows on the all thread..

Nut--lock washer--plywood guide--tee nut--fender washer--
plywood *--fender washer--nut--lock washer---
plywood
[nuts should be locked just behind plywood and all other parts locked to this]---fender washer--nut--lock washer--nut--fender washer--plywood--tee nut.
[this last tee nut should be flush with the wood and then sand paper added to help hold the wheel blanks]

Wood Fixture Wood stain Gas Hardwood


Here again we see the tee nut doing it's job, I all so have one on the back side of the handle with the teeth cut off.
This handle and the wheel clamp must not move on the axle or the jig will not work right.
You also see in this picture where I added a spacer where the guide pin goes in the guide to stop any slop in the guide.

I prefer to use a pin in the guide to hold the wheels in place, when cutting 8 wheels at a time you don't want any slip ups.

Wood Gas Machine tool Machine Tool


Here's a good picture of the table set up in straight mod.
When you build your sled, once its made set it on the table saw and cut out the center so you'll know where it is, then you'll know where to place the jig center of the saw blade in straight mod.

Note try not to cut out any more of the kerf then need be for strength.

Wood Gas Flooring Hardwood Plywood


Here you can see where I added the wings so I would have something to bolt the jig to the base.

Also you can see the two screws holding the wings down, if you look closely there's three dowels put in place to guide me the next time I take off and on the fence.
I used the same guide holes and dowels on the wings for every angle change, and the screws go back in the same holes, this way changing from one angle to another takes minutes with no thought needed to readjust anything.
Wood Ruler Rectangle Floor Office ruler


NOTE Be sure not to put any screws or nails where the saw can get to them when the jig is in angle mod.

Here I'm setting up the angle using a 30-60-90 Triangle
Wood Hardwood Flooring Plywood Wood stain


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plywood Flooring


Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood Plank


Then the other angle or side.
Wood Building Gas Rectangle Hardwood


Here drilling for the dowel not going all the way through.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank Tool


With the jig at an angle I needed to cut some off the end for the guide wheel.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


Wood Electronic instrument Audio equipment Output device Hardwood

Product Wood Gas Audio equipment Font

Rectangle Wood Flooring Gas Font


Bolt Guide
Wood Gas Machine Electronic device Space


One last thing Stop blocks.*
I put the fence close to the base and add a screw to the base, near the edge and clamp a block of wood for a stop block to the fence.
This is the stop as I pull the jig toward me.
I use a block at the back screwed to my out feed table for the outer most stop.
Now you can push and pull on the sled with out having to worry about anything.

There are much simpler jigs for making threaded wheels but if you need it make a ton of them this can get it done fast and safe as your hands are a long way away from trouble and the guide makes it a no brainier just add some wheel blanks adjust the blade height and off you go.
It is now hung on the wall ready for use at any time with no setup.
I think it may be a good idea as your cutting wheels to give your table saw a brake to cool down once in a while. LOL

If I'm up to it I may try and make a wheel making blog from start to finish as always before I would just show the newer tips which has gotten everything pretty spread out.

I hope this is helpful.
Htl over and out.
 

Attachments

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#2 ·
Wheel making jig number 3

This is wheel jig number 3.

Make sure your eyes are rested and you have your reading glasses handy it's a long one.

Here's the kind a wheels I can make with this jig.
Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire White


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber


I seem to never quit finding I need to adjust my jig for different sized wheels, and have been building more modern cars that use small wheels even though they are not small models.
The case in point was my last build a Mustang, I blow up the plans to be twice as big and the wheels were still under 2".
This is a problem as my jig was made for wheels around 2 3/4 or bigger and I need to use a 7 1/4 saw blade to get the thin kerfs that looks right..
The problem comes in because to do the smaller wheels the blade needs to be raised in the jig but a 7 1/4 blade will only go up so far, a 10" blade will work but if you cut 36 treads for the tire as the jig is set up for, the thicker blade cut and the smaller circumference of the wheel make for some really thin treads.
The fix is to make an adjustable jig that can raise and lower the axle bar as needed to still be able to use the 7 1/4 blade.

The jig I use now can do this but you have to take the axle bar apart and lower to different holes to get it done and it's very time consuming.
So the plan is to take my oldest wheel jig apart and use the table saw sled from it then build an adjustable axle bar for it.

Some one asked me a question the other day and I went to looking up an answer in my blog posts and even with the index I made things are hard to find about wheel making.
As I'm now waiting for Gatto to send me their plans for a Chevy Corvette I thought I would redo the wheel jig and get ready for some wheels and while I'm at it make a blog of the jig build with measurements .

So here's the jig all finished up, I guess I should put some finish on it but it's a tool not a model.
Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


I know some will say it looks just like the last one but there's two really big differences.
One is the height adjustment and the other is when I switch from one angle to the other or to straight all my guides use the same dowel holes for setting the angle so no more confusion about which hole is which so the change over is much quicker.

With the back guide fence in place and the quick change wheel stop I've still got 6 1/2" of space for tire blanks, which means I can do 6 to 8 tires at a time in the straight cut mod.
In angled mod you can only do one at a time and some times two if I'm not after to nice a match on the tread.

The base is a table saw sled with no braces top and bottom [If I start having any warp problems I will add some but have had nun in over a year]

Here is the sled bottom when finished, it was square to start with.
There are a ton a how 2s about making the sled so check one of them out.
Every table saw is different so need to make to suit, just remember that where the blade come through is the important thing, adjust to that..
The cut angle on the bottom of the sled are so the handle can turn as it hangs over the side of the sled.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


First I build a box 5" wide and 3" deep, and 4" high, there is a grove cut [3" side] where the axle bar needs to go throw and needs to be able to go up and down.
The grove goes up to 2 1/2", which should let me make 4 3/4 wheels to 1 1/4.
This box is used to keep everything squared up.
Made with a top and bottom and I used screws so if anything down the road needs changed no problem.

Wood Audio equipment Hardwood Gas Public address system

Notice I have a 3/4 space before the long sides, this is for the axle guide plates, front and back.
NOTE Cut all the sides and guide plates at the same time so all will match up, also the axle holes.
Really none of these measurements are critical I just went big for if I ever build another Hummer, then again if tractors are in your future go wide my friend go wide and high. LOL

Wood Table Hardwood Lumber Plywood


Now for the guide plates which should fit snug so as you raise and lower them they'll match the other side.
I won't be raising and lowering that much so will just use screws to hold them in place as needed.
Later I may add dowels for fast high adjustments.
I drilled 1/4" holes for the axles in the sliding plates about 1 1/4" high but I could have gone down to 3/4" or the top of the bottom plate.
These are the plates that will go up and down when needed for tread height.

Down for the smaller wheels.
Wood Audio equipment Gas Electric fan Technology


Up for the big dogs.

Wood Audio equipment Gas Hardwood Plywood


I used 1/4" all tread for the jig, which matches my model builds if you build with bigger axles use bigger, bigger would be better.
Here you can see where I bolt a wheel with some sand paper on it, this is where the wheels get held to the axle so they can't move.
I use tree nuts to help hold it all together.
Note I add a small screw to the tee nut to make sure all stays in place.

The nut pattern goes as follows on the all thread..

Nut--lock washer--plywood guide--tee nut--fender washer--
plywood *--fender washer--nut--lock washer---
plywood
[nuts should be locked just behind plywood and all other parts locked to this]---fender washer--nut--lock washer--nut--fender washer--plywood--tee nut.
[this last tee nut should be flush with the wood and then sand paper added to help hold the wheel blanks]

Wood Fixture Wood stain Gas Hardwood


Here again we see the tee nut doing it's job, I all so have one on the back side of the handle with the teeth cut off.
This handle and the wheel clamp must not move on the axle or the jig will not work right.
You also see in this picture where I added a spacer where the guide pin goes in the guide to stop any slop in the guide.

I prefer to use a pin in the guide to hold the wheels in place, when cutting 8 wheels at a time you don't want any slip ups.

Wood Gas Machine tool Machine Tool


Here's a good picture of the table set up in straight mod.
When you build your sled, once its made set it on the table saw and cut out the center so you'll know where it is, then you'll know where to place the jig center of the saw blade in straight mod.

Note try not to cut out any more of the kerf then need be for strength.

Wood Gas Flooring Hardwood Plywood


Here you can see where I added the wings so I would have something to bolt the jig to the base.

Also you can see the two screws holding the wings down, if you look closely there's three dowels put in place to guide me the next time I take off and on the fence.
I used the same guide holes and dowels on the wings for every angle change, and the screws go back in the same holes, this way changing from one angle to another takes minutes with no thought needed to readjust anything.


NOTE Be sure not to put any screws or nails where the saw can get to them when the jig is in angle mod.

Here I'm setting up the angle using a 30-60-90 Triangle
Wood Hardwood Flooring Plywood Wood stain


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plywood Flooring


Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood Plank


Then the other angle or side.
Wood Building Gas Rectangle Hardwood


Here drilling for the dowel not going all the way through.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank Tool


With the jig at an angle I needed to cut some off the end for the guide wheel.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


Wood Electronic instrument Audio equipment Output device Hardwood

Product Wood Gas Audio equipment Font

Rectangle Wood Flooring Gas Font


Bolt Guide


One last thing Stop blocks.*
I put the fence close to the base and add a screw to the base, near the edge and clamp a block of wood for a stop block to the fence.
This is the stop as I pull the jig toward me.
I use a block at the back screwed to my out feed table for the outer most stop.
Now you can push and pull on the sled with out having to worry about anything.

There are much simpler jigs for making threaded wheels but if you need it make a ton of them this can get it done fast and safe as your hands are a long way away from trouble and the guide makes it a no brainier just add some wheel blanks adjust the blade height and off you go.
It is now hung on the wall ready for use at any time with no setup.
I think it may be a good idea as your cutting wheels to give your table saw a brake to cool down once in a while. LOL

If I'm up to it I may try and make a wheel making blog from start to finish as always before I would just show the newer tips which has gotten everything pretty spread out.

I hope this is helpful.
Htl over and out.
Your jigs are always amazing. Thanks for showing and explaining the jig.
 

Attachments

#3 ·
Wheel making jig number 3

This is wheel jig number 3.

Make sure your eyes are rested and you have your reading glasses handy it's a long one.

Here's the kind a wheels I can make with this jig.
Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire White


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber


I seem to never quit finding I need to adjust my jig for different sized wheels, and have been building more modern cars that use small wheels even though they are not small models.
The case in point was my last build a Mustang, I blow up the plans to be twice as big and the wheels were still under 2".
This is a problem as my jig was made for wheels around 2 3/4 or bigger and I need to use a 7 1/4 saw blade to get the thin kerfs that looks right..
The problem comes in because to do the smaller wheels the blade needs to be raised in the jig but a 7 1/4 blade will only go up so far, a 10" blade will work but if you cut 36 treads for the tire as the jig is set up for, the thicker blade cut and the smaller circumference of the wheel make for some really thin treads.
The fix is to make an adjustable jig that can raise and lower the axle bar as needed to still be able to use the 7 1/4 blade.

The jig I use now can do this but you have to take the axle bar apart and lower to different holes to get it done and it's very time consuming.
So the plan is to take my oldest wheel jig apart and use the table saw sled from it then build an adjustable axle bar for it.

Some one asked me a question the other day and I went to looking up an answer in my blog posts and even with the index I made things are hard to find about wheel making.
As I'm now waiting for Gatto to send me their plans for a Chevy Corvette I thought I would redo the wheel jig and get ready for some wheels and while I'm at it make a blog of the jig build with measurements .

So here's the jig all finished up, I guess I should put some finish on it but it's a tool not a model.
Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


I know some will say it looks just like the last one but there's two really big differences.
One is the height adjustment and the other is when I switch from one angle to the other or to straight all my guides use the same dowel holes for setting the angle so no more confusion about which hole is which so the change over is much quicker.

With the back guide fence in place and the quick change wheel stop I've still got 6 1/2" of space for tire blanks, which means I can do 6 to 8 tires at a time in the straight cut mod.
In angled mod you can only do one at a time and some times two if I'm not after to nice a match on the tread.

The base is a table saw sled with no braces top and bottom [If I start having any warp problems I will add some but have had nun in over a year]

Here is the sled bottom when finished, it was square to start with.
There are a ton a how 2s about making the sled so check one of them out.
Every table saw is different so need to make to suit, just remember that where the blade come through is the important thing, adjust to that..
The cut angle on the bottom of the sled are so the handle can turn as it hangs over the side of the sled.



First I build a box 5" wide and 3" deep, and 4" high, there is a grove cut [3" side] where the axle bar needs to go throw and needs to be able to go up and down.
The grove goes up to 2 1/2", which should let me make 4 3/4 wheels to 1 1/4.
This box is used to keep everything squared up.
Made with a top and bottom and I used screws so if anything down the road needs changed no problem.

Wood Audio equipment Hardwood Gas Public address system

Notice I have a 3/4 space before the long sides, this is for the axle guide plates, front and back.
NOTE Cut all the sides and guide plates at the same time so all will match up, also the axle holes.
Really none of these measurements are critical I just went big for if I ever build another Hummer, then again if tractors are in your future go wide my friend go wide and high. LOL

Wood Table Hardwood Lumber Plywood


Now for the guide plates which should fit snug so as you raise and lower them they'll match the other side.
I won't be raising and lowering that much so will just use screws to hold them in place as needed.
Later I may add dowels for fast high adjustments.
I drilled 1/4" holes for the axles in the sliding plates about 1 1/4" high but I could have gone down to 3/4" or the top of the bottom plate.
These are the plates that will go up and down when needed for tread height.

Down for the smaller wheels.
Wood Audio equipment Gas Electric fan Technology


Up for the big dogs.

Wood Audio equipment Gas Hardwood Plywood


I used 1/4" all tread for the jig, which matches my model builds if you build with bigger axles use bigger, bigger would be better.
Here you can see where I bolt a wheel with some sand paper on it, this is where the wheels get held to the axle so they can't move.
I use tree nuts to help hold it all together.
Note I add a small screw to the tee nut to make sure all stays in place.

The nut pattern goes as follows on the all thread..

Nut--lock washer--plywood guide--tee nut--fender washer--
plywood *--fender washer--nut--lock washer---
plywood
[nuts should be locked just behind plywood and all other parts locked to this]---fender washer--nut--lock washer--nut--fender washer--plywood--tee nut.
[this last tee nut should be flush with the wood and then sand paper added to help hold the wheel blanks]

Wood Fixture Wood stain Gas Hardwood


Here again we see the tee nut doing it's job, I all so have one on the back side of the handle with the teeth cut off.
This handle and the wheel clamp must not move on the axle or the jig will not work right.
You also see in this picture where I added a spacer where the guide pin goes in the guide to stop any slop in the guide.

I prefer to use a pin in the guide to hold the wheels in place, when cutting 8 wheels at a time you don't want any slip ups.

Wood Gas Machine tool Machine Tool


Here's a good picture of the table set up in straight mod.
When you build your sled, once its made set it on the table saw and cut out the center so you'll know where it is, then you'll know where to place the jig center of the saw blade in straight mod.

Note try not to cut out any more of the kerf then need be for strength.



Here you can see where I added the wings so I would have something to bolt the jig to the base.

Also you can see the two screws holding the wings down, if you look closely there's three dowels put in place to guide me the next time I take off and on the fence.
I used the same guide holes and dowels on the wings for every angle change, and the screws go back in the same holes, this way changing from one angle to another takes minutes with no thought needed to readjust anything.
Wood Ruler Rectangle Floor Office ruler


NOTE Be sure not to put any screws or nails where the saw can get to them when the jig is in angle mod.

Here I'm setting up the angle using a 30-60-90 Triangle






Then the other angle or side.


Here drilling for the dowel not going all the way through.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank Tool


With the jig at an angle I needed to cut some off the end for the guide wheel.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood



Product Wood Gas Audio equipment Font

Rectangle Wood Flooring Gas Font


Bolt Guide
Wood Gas Machine Electronic device Space


One last thing Stop blocks.*
I put the fence close to the base and add a screw to the base, near the edge and clamp a block of wood for a stop block to the fence.
This is the stop as I pull the jig toward me.
I use a block at the back screwed to my out feed table for the outer most stop.
Now you can push and pull on the sled with out having to worry about anything.

There are much simpler jigs for making threaded wheels but if you need it make a ton of them this can get it done fast and safe as your hands are a long way away from trouble and the guide makes it a no brainier just add some wheel blanks adjust the blade height and off you go.
It is now hung on the wall ready for use at any time with no setup.
I think it may be a good idea as your cutting wheels to give your table saw a brake to cool down once in a while. LOL

If I'm up to it I may try and make a wheel making blog from start to finish as always before I would just show the newer tips which has gotten everything pretty spread out.

I hope this is helpful.
Htl over and out.
Thanks Redoak49 for your comment.
I got up this morning thinking it was to much and was going to delete it.
I hope to adjust this blog as I reread it to make things clearer.

I tried making all the pictures with comments with SketchUp
and it looked great but couldn't figure out how to make the typing big enough to be seen on this site, may have to have the big $$$ version.
I ended up using Windows Paint 3D and it was a pain!!!
 

Attachments

#4 ·
Wheel making jig number 3

This is wheel jig number 3.

Make sure your eyes are rested and you have your reading glasses handy it's a long one.

Here's the kind a wheels I can make with this jig.
Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire White


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber


I seem to never quit finding I need to adjust my jig for different sized wheels, and have been building more modern cars that use small wheels even though they are not small models.
The case in point was my last build a Mustang, I blow up the plans to be twice as big and the wheels were still under 2".
This is a problem as my jig was made for wheels around 2 3/4 or bigger and I need to use a 7 1/4 saw blade to get the thin kerfs that looks right..
The problem comes in because to do the smaller wheels the blade needs to be raised in the jig but a 7 1/4 blade will only go up so far, a 10" blade will work but if you cut 36 treads for the tire as the jig is set up for, the thicker blade cut and the smaller circumference of the wheel make for some really thin treads.
The fix is to make an adjustable jig that can raise and lower the axle bar as needed to still be able to use the 7 1/4 blade.

The jig I use now can do this but you have to take the axle bar apart and lower to different holes to get it done and it's very time consuming.
So the plan is to take my oldest wheel jig apart and use the table saw sled from it then build an adjustable axle bar for it.

Some one asked me a question the other day and I went to looking up an answer in my blog posts and even with the index I made things are hard to find about wheel making.
As I'm now waiting for Gatto to send me their plans for a Chevy Corvette I thought I would redo the wheel jig and get ready for some wheels and while I'm at it make a blog of the jig build with measurements .

So here's the jig all finished up, I guess I should put some finish on it but it's a tool not a model.
Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


I know some will say it looks just like the last one but there's two really big differences.
One is the height adjustment and the other is when I switch from one angle to the other or to straight all my guides use the same dowel holes for setting the angle so no more confusion about which hole is which so the change over is much quicker.

With the back guide fence in place and the quick change wheel stop I've still got 6 1/2" of space for tire blanks, which means I can do 6 to 8 tires at a time in the straight cut mod.
In angled mod you can only do one at a time and some times two if I'm not after to nice a match on the tread.

The base is a table saw sled with no braces top and bottom [If I start having any warp problems I will add some but have had nun in over a year]

Here is the sled bottom when finished, it was square to start with.
There are a ton a how 2s about making the sled so check one of them out.
Every table saw is different so need to make to suit, just remember that where the blade come through is the important thing, adjust to that..
The cut angle on the bottom of the sled are so the handle can turn as it hangs over the side of the sled.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


First I build a box 5" wide and 3" deep, and 4" high, there is a grove cut [3" side] where the axle bar needs to go throw and needs to be able to go up and down.
The grove goes up to 2 1/2", which should let me make 4 3/4 wheels to 1 1/4.
This box is used to keep everything squared up.
Made with a top and bottom and I used screws so if anything down the road needs changed no problem.

Wood Audio equipment Hardwood Gas Public address system

Notice I have a 3/4 space before the long sides, this is for the axle guide plates, front and back.
NOTE Cut all the sides and guide plates at the same time so all will match up, also the axle holes.
Really none of these measurements are critical I just went big for if I ever build another Hummer, then again if tractors are in your future go wide my friend go wide and high. LOL

Wood Table Hardwood Lumber Plywood


Now for the guide plates which should fit snug so as you raise and lower them they'll match the other side.
I won't be raising and lowering that much so will just use screws to hold them in place as needed.
Later I may add dowels for fast high adjustments.
I drilled 1/4" holes for the axles in the sliding plates about 1 1/4" high but I could have gone down to 3/4" or the top of the bottom plate.
These are the plates that will go up and down when needed for tread height.

Down for the smaller wheels.


Up for the big dogs.

Wood Audio equipment Gas Hardwood Plywood


I used 1/4" all tread for the jig, which matches my model builds if you build with bigger axles use bigger, bigger would be better.
Here you can see where I bolt a wheel with some sand paper on it, this is where the wheels get held to the axle so they can't move.
I use tree nuts to help hold it all together.
Note I add a small screw to the tee nut to make sure all stays in place.

The nut pattern goes as follows on the all thread..

Nut--lock washer--plywood guide--tee nut--fender washer--
plywood *--fender washer--nut--lock washer---
plywood
[nuts should be locked just behind plywood and all other parts locked to this]---fender washer--nut--lock washer--nut--fender washer--plywood--tee nut.
[this last tee nut should be flush with the wood and then sand paper added to help hold the wheel blanks]

Wood Fixture Wood stain Gas Hardwood


Here again we see the tee nut doing it's job, I all so have one on the back side of the handle with the teeth cut off.
This handle and the wheel clamp must not move on the axle or the jig will not work right.
You also see in this picture where I added a spacer where the guide pin goes in the guide to stop any slop in the guide.

I prefer to use a pin in the guide to hold the wheels in place, when cutting 8 wheels at a time you don't want any slip ups.

Wood Gas Machine tool Machine Tool


Here's a good picture of the table set up in straight mod.
When you build your sled, once its made set it on the table saw and cut out the center so you'll know where it is, then you'll know where to place the jig center of the saw blade in straight mod.

Note try not to cut out any more of the kerf then need be for strength.

Wood Gas Flooring Hardwood Plywood


Here you can see where I added the wings so I would have something to bolt the jig to the base.

Also you can see the two screws holding the wings down, if you look closely there's three dowels put in place to guide me the next time I take off and on the fence.
I used the same guide holes and dowels on the wings for every angle change, and the screws go back in the same holes, this way changing from one angle to another takes minutes with no thought needed to readjust anything.
Wood Ruler Rectangle Floor Office ruler


NOTE Be sure not to put any screws or nails where the saw can get to them when the jig is in angle mod.

Here I'm setting up the angle using a 30-60-90 Triangle
Wood Hardwood Flooring Plywood Wood stain


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plywood Flooring


Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood Plank


Then the other angle or side.


Here drilling for the dowel not going all the way through.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank Tool


With the jig at an angle I needed to cut some off the end for the guide wheel.



Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood




Rectangle Wood Flooring Gas Font


Bolt Guide
Wood Gas Machine Electronic device Space


One last thing Stop blocks.*
I put the fence close to the base and add a screw to the base, near the edge and clamp a block of wood for a stop block to the fence.
This is the stop as I pull the jig toward me.
I use a block at the back screwed to my out feed table for the outer most stop.
Now you can push and pull on the sled with out having to worry about anything.

There are much simpler jigs for making threaded wheels but if you need it make a ton of them this can get it done fast and safe as your hands are a long way away from trouble and the guide makes it a no brainier just add some wheel blanks adjust the blade height and off you go.
It is now hung on the wall ready for use at any time with no setup.
I think it may be a good idea as your cutting wheels to give your table saw a brake to cool down once in a while. LOL

If I'm up to it I may try and make a wheel making blog from start to finish as always before I would just show the newer tips which has gotten everything pretty spread out.

I hope this is helpful.
Htl over and out.
Always interested in versions of idea's to make the tire treads, Will have to study this one more when I get time. Things that you do are always the best.
 

Attachments

#5 ·
Wheel making jig number 3

This is wheel jig number 3.

Make sure your eyes are rested and you have your reading glasses handy it's a long one.

Here's the kind a wheels I can make with this jig.
Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire White




I seem to never quit finding I need to adjust my jig for different sized wheels, and have been building more modern cars that use small wheels even though they are not small models.
The case in point was my last build a Mustang, I blow up the plans to be twice as big and the wheels were still under 2".
This is a problem as my jig was made for wheels around 2 3/4 or bigger and I need to use a 7 1/4 saw blade to get the thin kerfs that looks right..
The problem comes in because to do the smaller wheels the blade needs to be raised in the jig but a 7 1/4 blade will only go up so far, a 10" blade will work but if you cut 36 treads for the tire as the jig is set up for, the thicker blade cut and the smaller circumference of the wheel make for some really thin treads.
The fix is to make an adjustable jig that can raise and lower the axle bar as needed to still be able to use the 7 1/4 blade.

The jig I use now can do this but you have to take the axle bar apart and lower to different holes to get it done and it's very time consuming.
So the plan is to take my oldest wheel jig apart and use the table saw sled from it then build an adjustable axle bar for it.

Some one asked me a question the other day and I went to looking up an answer in my blog posts and even with the index I made things are hard to find about wheel making.
As I'm now waiting for Gatto to send me their plans for a Chevy Corvette I thought I would redo the wheel jig and get ready for some wheels and while I'm at it make a blog of the jig build with measurements .

So here's the jig all finished up, I guess I should put some finish on it but it's a tool not a model.
Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


I know some will say it looks just like the last one but there's two really big differences.
One is the height adjustment and the other is when I switch from one angle to the other or to straight all my guides use the same dowel holes for setting the angle so no more confusion about which hole is which so the change over is much quicker.

With the back guide fence in place and the quick change wheel stop I've still got 6 1/2" of space for tire blanks, which means I can do 6 to 8 tires at a time in the straight cut mod.
In angled mod you can only do one at a time and some times two if I'm not after to nice a match on the tread.

The base is a table saw sled with no braces top and bottom [If I start having any warp problems I will add some but have had nun in over a year]

Here is the sled bottom when finished, it was square to start with.
There are a ton a how 2s about making the sled so check one of them out.
Every table saw is different so need to make to suit, just remember that where the blade come through is the important thing, adjust to that..
The cut angle on the bottom of the sled are so the handle can turn as it hangs over the side of the sled.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


First I build a box 5" wide and 3" deep, and 4" high, there is a grove cut [3" side] where the axle bar needs to go throw and needs to be able to go up and down.
The grove goes up to 2 1/2", which should let me make 4 3/4 wheels to 1 1/4.
This box is used to keep everything squared up.
Made with a top and bottom and I used screws so if anything down the road needs changed no problem.

Wood Audio equipment Hardwood Gas Public address system

Notice I have a 3/4 space before the long sides, this is for the axle guide plates, front and back.
NOTE Cut all the sides and guide plates at the same time so all will match up, also the axle holes.
Really none of these measurements are critical I just went big for if I ever build another Hummer, then again if tractors are in your future go wide my friend go wide and high. LOL

Wood Table Hardwood Lumber Plywood


Now for the guide plates which should fit snug so as you raise and lower them they'll match the other side.
I won't be raising and lowering that much so will just use screws to hold them in place as needed.
Later I may add dowels for fast high adjustments.
I drilled 1/4" holes for the axles in the sliding plates about 1 1/4" high but I could have gone down to 3/4" or the top of the bottom plate.
These are the plates that will go up and down when needed for tread height.

Down for the smaller wheels.
Wood Audio equipment Gas Electric fan Technology


Up for the big dogs.

Wood Audio equipment Gas Hardwood Plywood


I used 1/4" all tread for the jig, which matches my model builds if you build with bigger axles use bigger, bigger would be better.
Here you can see where I bolt a wheel with some sand paper on it, this is where the wheels get held to the axle so they can't move.
I use tree nuts to help hold it all together.
Note I add a small screw to the tee nut to make sure all stays in place.

The nut pattern goes as follows on the all thread..

Nut--lock washer--plywood guide--tee nut--fender washer--
plywood *--fender washer--nut--lock washer---
plywood
[nuts should be locked just behind plywood and all other parts locked to this]---fender washer--nut--lock washer--nut--fender washer--plywood--tee nut.
[this last tee nut should be flush with the wood and then sand paper added to help hold the wheel blanks]

Wood Fixture Wood stain Gas Hardwood


Here again we see the tee nut doing it's job, I all so have one on the back side of the handle with the teeth cut off.
This handle and the wheel clamp must not move on the axle or the jig will not work right.
You also see in this picture where I added a spacer where the guide pin goes in the guide to stop any slop in the guide.

I prefer to use a pin in the guide to hold the wheels in place, when cutting 8 wheels at a time you don't want any slip ups.

Wood Gas Machine tool Machine Tool


Here's a good picture of the table set up in straight mod.
When you build your sled, once its made set it on the table saw and cut out the center so you'll know where it is, then you'll know where to place the jig center of the saw blade in straight mod.

Note try not to cut out any more of the kerf then need be for strength.



Here you can see where I added the wings so I would have something to bolt the jig to the base.

Also you can see the two screws holding the wings down, if you look closely there's three dowels put in place to guide me the next time I take off and on the fence.
I used the same guide holes and dowels on the wings for every angle change, and the screws go back in the same holes, this way changing from one angle to another takes minutes with no thought needed to readjust anything.
Wood Ruler Rectangle Floor Office ruler


NOTE Be sure not to put any screws or nails where the saw can get to them when the jig is in angle mod.

Here I'm setting up the angle using a 30-60-90 Triangle
Wood Hardwood Flooring Plywood Wood stain




Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood Plank


Then the other angle or side.


Here drilling for the dowel not going all the way through.


With the jig at an angle I needed to cut some off the end for the guide wheel.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle








Bolt Guide
Wood Gas Machine Electronic device Space


One last thing Stop blocks.*
I put the fence close to the base and add a screw to the base, near the edge and clamp a block of wood for a stop block to the fence.
This is the stop as I pull the jig toward me.
I use a block at the back screwed to my out feed table for the outer most stop.
Now you can push and pull on the sled with out having to worry about anything.

There are much simpler jigs for making threaded wheels but if you need it make a ton of them this can get it done fast and safe as your hands are a long way away from trouble and the guide makes it a no brainier just add some wheel blanks adjust the blade height and off you go.
It is now hung on the wall ready for use at any time with no setup.
I think it may be a good idea as your cutting wheels to give your table saw a brake to cool down once in a while. LOL

If I'm up to it I may try and make a wheel making blog from start to finish as always before I would just show the newer tips which has gotten everything pretty spread out.

I hope this is helpful.
Htl over and out.
It's always a pleasure of great interest to see your postings. Especially, the jigs you create for wheels. Thanks for the time and energy that you put into the posts.
 

Attachments

#6 ·
Wheel making jig number 3

This is wheel jig number 3.

Make sure your eyes are rested and you have your reading glasses handy it's a long one.

Here's the kind a wheels I can make with this jig.


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber


I seem to never quit finding I need to adjust my jig for different sized wheels, and have been building more modern cars that use small wheels even though they are not small models.
The case in point was my last build a Mustang, I blow up the plans to be twice as big and the wheels were still under 2".
This is a problem as my jig was made for wheels around 2 3/4 or bigger and I need to use a 7 1/4 saw blade to get the thin kerfs that looks right..
The problem comes in because to do the smaller wheels the blade needs to be raised in the jig but a 7 1/4 blade will only go up so far, a 10" blade will work but if you cut 36 treads for the tire as the jig is set up for, the thicker blade cut and the smaller circumference of the wheel make for some really thin treads.
The fix is to make an adjustable jig that can raise and lower the axle bar as needed to still be able to use the 7 1/4 blade.

The jig I use now can do this but you have to take the axle bar apart and lower to different holes to get it done and it's very time consuming.
So the plan is to take my oldest wheel jig apart and use the table saw sled from it then build an adjustable axle bar for it.

Some one asked me a question the other day and I went to looking up an answer in my blog posts and even with the index I made things are hard to find about wheel making.
As I'm now waiting for Gatto to send me their plans for a Chevy Corvette I thought I would redo the wheel jig and get ready for some wheels and while I'm at it make a blog of the jig build with measurements .

So here's the jig all finished up, I guess I should put some finish on it but it's a tool not a model.
Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


I know some will say it looks just like the last one but there's two really big differences.
One is the height adjustment and the other is when I switch from one angle to the other or to straight all my guides use the same dowel holes for setting the angle so no more confusion about which hole is which so the change over is much quicker.

With the back guide fence in place and the quick change wheel stop I've still got 6 1/2" of space for tire blanks, which means I can do 6 to 8 tires at a time in the straight cut mod.
In angled mod you can only do one at a time and some times two if I'm not after to nice a match on the tread.

The base is a table saw sled with no braces top and bottom [If I start having any warp problems I will add some but have had nun in over a year]

Here is the sled bottom when finished, it was square to start with.
There are a ton a how 2s about making the sled so check one of them out.
Every table saw is different so need to make to suit, just remember that where the blade come through is the important thing, adjust to that..
The cut angle on the bottom of the sled are so the handle can turn as it hangs over the side of the sled.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


First I build a box 5" wide and 3" deep, and 4" high, there is a grove cut [3" side] where the axle bar needs to go throw and needs to be able to go up and down.
The grove goes up to 2 1/2", which should let me make 4 3/4 wheels to 1 1/4.
This box is used to keep everything squared up.
Made with a top and bottom and I used screws so if anything down the road needs changed no problem.

Wood Audio equipment Hardwood Gas Public address system

Notice I have a 3/4 space before the long sides, this is for the axle guide plates, front and back.
NOTE Cut all the sides and guide plates at the same time so all will match up, also the axle holes.
Really none of these measurements are critical I just went big for if I ever build another Hummer, then again if tractors are in your future go wide my friend go wide and high. LOL



Now for the guide plates which should fit snug so as you raise and lower them they'll match the other side.
I won't be raising and lowering that much so will just use screws to hold them in place as needed.
Later I may add dowels for fast high adjustments.
I drilled 1/4" holes for the axles in the sliding plates about 1 1/4" high but I could have gone down to 3/4" or the top of the bottom plate.
These are the plates that will go up and down when needed for tread height.

Down for the smaller wheels.
Wood Audio equipment Gas Electric fan Technology


Up for the big dogs.

Wood Audio equipment Gas Hardwood Plywood


I used 1/4" all tread for the jig, which matches my model builds if you build with bigger axles use bigger, bigger would be better.
Here you can see where I bolt a wheel with some sand paper on it, this is where the wheels get held to the axle so they can't move.
I use tree nuts to help hold it all together.
Note I add a small screw to the tee nut to make sure all stays in place.

The nut pattern goes as follows on the all thread..

Nut--lock washer--plywood guide--tee nut--fender washer--
plywood *--fender washer--nut--lock washer---
plywood
[nuts should be locked just behind plywood and all other parts locked to this]---fender washer--nut--lock washer--nut--fender washer--plywood--tee nut.
[this last tee nut should be flush with the wood and then sand paper added to help hold the wheel blanks]

Wood Fixture Wood stain Gas Hardwood


Here again we see the tee nut doing it's job, I all so have one on the back side of the handle with the teeth cut off.
This handle and the wheel clamp must not move on the axle or the jig will not work right.
You also see in this picture where I added a spacer where the guide pin goes in the guide to stop any slop in the guide.

I prefer to use a pin in the guide to hold the wheels in place, when cutting 8 wheels at a time you don't want any slip ups.



Here's a good picture of the table set up in straight mod.
When you build your sled, once its made set it on the table saw and cut out the center so you'll know where it is, then you'll know where to place the jig center of the saw blade in straight mod.

Note try not to cut out any more of the kerf then need be for strength.

Wood Gas Flooring Hardwood Plywood


Here you can see where I added the wings so I would have something to bolt the jig to the base.

Also you can see the two screws holding the wings down, if you look closely there's three dowels put in place to guide me the next time I take off and on the fence.
I used the same guide holes and dowels on the wings for every angle change, and the screws go back in the same holes, this way changing from one angle to another takes minutes with no thought needed to readjust anything.
Wood Ruler Rectangle Floor Office ruler


NOTE Be sure not to put any screws or nails where the saw can get to them when the jig is in angle mod.

Here I'm setting up the angle using a 30-60-90 Triangle
Wood Hardwood Flooring Plywood Wood stain


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plywood Flooring


Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood Plank


Then the other angle or side.
Wood Building Gas Rectangle Hardwood


Here drilling for the dowel not going all the way through.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank Tool


With the jig at an angle I needed to cut some off the end for the guide wheel.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


Wood Electronic instrument Audio equipment Output device Hardwood

Product Wood Gas Audio equipment Font

Rectangle Wood Flooring Gas Font


Bolt Guide
Wood Gas Machine Electronic device Space


One last thing Stop blocks.*
I put the fence close to the base and add a screw to the base, near the edge and clamp a block of wood for a stop block to the fence.
This is the stop as I pull the jig toward me.
I use a block at the back screwed to my out feed table for the outer most stop.
Now you can push and pull on the sled with out having to worry about anything.

There are much simpler jigs for making threaded wheels but if you need it make a ton of them this can get it done fast and safe as your hands are a long way away from trouble and the guide makes it a no brainier just add some wheel blanks adjust the blade height and off you go.
It is now hung on the wall ready for use at any time with no setup.
I think it may be a good idea as your cutting wheels to give your table saw a brake to cool down once in a while. LOL

If I'm up to it I may try and make a wheel making blog from start to finish as always before I would just show the newer tips which has gotten everything pretty spread out.

I hope this is helpful.
Htl over and out.
Quite a setup there looks complicated & interesting.
 

Attachments

#7 ·
Wheel making jig number 3

This is wheel jig number 3.

Make sure your eyes are rested and you have your reading glasses handy it's a long one.

Here's the kind a wheels I can make with this jig.
Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire White


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber


I seem to never quit finding I need to adjust my jig for different sized wheels, and have been building more modern cars that use small wheels even though they are not small models.
The case in point was my last build a Mustang, I blow up the plans to be twice as big and the wheels were still under 2".
This is a problem as my jig was made for wheels around 2 3/4 or bigger and I need to use a 7 1/4 saw blade to get the thin kerfs that looks right..
The problem comes in because to do the smaller wheels the blade needs to be raised in the jig but a 7 1/4 blade will only go up so far, a 10" blade will work but if you cut 36 treads for the tire as the jig is set up for, the thicker blade cut and the smaller circumference of the wheel make for some really thin treads.
The fix is to make an adjustable jig that can raise and lower the axle bar as needed to still be able to use the 7 1/4 blade.

The jig I use now can do this but you have to take the axle bar apart and lower to different holes to get it done and it's very time consuming.
So the plan is to take my oldest wheel jig apart and use the table saw sled from it then build an adjustable axle bar for it.

Some one asked me a question the other day and I went to looking up an answer in my blog posts and even with the index I made things are hard to find about wheel making.
As I'm now waiting for Gatto to send me their plans for a Chevy Corvette I thought I would redo the wheel jig and get ready for some wheels and while I'm at it make a blog of the jig build with measurements .

So here's the jig all finished up, I guess I should put some finish on it but it's a tool not a model.


I know some will say it looks just like the last one but there's two really big differences.
One is the height adjustment and the other is when I switch from one angle to the other or to straight all my guides use the same dowel holes for setting the angle so no more confusion about which hole is which so the change over is much quicker.

With the back guide fence in place and the quick change wheel stop I've still got 6 1/2" of space for tire blanks, which means I can do 6 to 8 tires at a time in the straight cut mod.
In angled mod you can only do one at a time and some times two if I'm not after to nice a match on the tread.

The base is a table saw sled with no braces top and bottom [If I start having any warp problems I will add some but have had nun in over a year]

Here is the sled bottom when finished, it was square to start with.
There are a ton a how 2s about making the sled so check one of them out.
Every table saw is different so need to make to suit, just remember that where the blade come through is the important thing, adjust to that..
The cut angle on the bottom of the sled are so the handle can turn as it hangs over the side of the sled.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


First I build a box 5" wide and 3" deep, and 4" high, there is a grove cut [3" side] where the axle bar needs to go throw and needs to be able to go up and down.
The grove goes up to 2 1/2", which should let me make 4 3/4 wheels to 1 1/4.
This box is used to keep everything squared up.
Made with a top and bottom and I used screws so if anything down the road needs changed no problem.

Wood Audio equipment Hardwood Gas Public address system

Notice I have a 3/4 space before the long sides, this is for the axle guide plates, front and back.
NOTE Cut all the sides and guide plates at the same time so all will match up, also the axle holes.
Really none of these measurements are critical I just went big for if I ever build another Hummer, then again if tractors are in your future go wide my friend go wide and high. LOL

Wood Table Hardwood Lumber Plywood


Now for the guide plates which should fit snug so as you raise and lower them they'll match the other side.
I won't be raising and lowering that much so will just use screws to hold them in place as needed.
Later I may add dowels for fast high adjustments.
I drilled 1/4" holes for the axles in the sliding plates about 1 1/4" high but I could have gone down to 3/4" or the top of the bottom plate.
These are the plates that will go up and down when needed for tread height.

Down for the smaller wheels.


Up for the big dogs.

Wood Audio equipment Gas Hardwood Plywood


I used 1/4" all tread for the jig, which matches my model builds if you build with bigger axles use bigger, bigger would be better.
Here you can see where I bolt a wheel with some sand paper on it, this is where the wheels get held to the axle so they can't move.
I use tree nuts to help hold it all together.
Note I add a small screw to the tee nut to make sure all stays in place.

The nut pattern goes as follows on the all thread..

Nut--lock washer--plywood guide--tee nut--fender washer--
plywood *--fender washer--nut--lock washer---
plywood
[nuts should be locked just behind plywood and all other parts locked to this]---fender washer--nut--lock washer--nut--fender washer--plywood--tee nut.
[this last tee nut should be flush with the wood and then sand paper added to help hold the wheel blanks]

Wood Fixture Wood stain Gas Hardwood


Here again we see the tee nut doing it's job, I all so have one on the back side of the handle with the teeth cut off.
This handle and the wheel clamp must not move on the axle or the jig will not work right.
You also see in this picture where I added a spacer where the guide pin goes in the guide to stop any slop in the guide.

I prefer to use a pin in the guide to hold the wheels in place, when cutting 8 wheels at a time you don't want any slip ups.

Wood Gas Machine tool Machine Tool


Here's a good picture of the table set up in straight mod.
When you build your sled, once its made set it on the table saw and cut out the center so you'll know where it is, then you'll know where to place the jig center of the saw blade in straight mod.

Note try not to cut out any more of the kerf then need be for strength.

Wood Gas Flooring Hardwood Plywood


Here you can see where I added the wings so I would have something to bolt the jig to the base.

Also you can see the two screws holding the wings down, if you look closely there's three dowels put in place to guide me the next time I take off and on the fence.
I used the same guide holes and dowels on the wings for every angle change, and the screws go back in the same holes, this way changing from one angle to another takes minutes with no thought needed to readjust anything.


NOTE Be sure not to put any screws or nails where the saw can get to them when the jig is in angle mod.

Here I'm setting up the angle using a 30-60-90 Triangle
Wood Hardwood Flooring Plywood Wood stain


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plywood Flooring


Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood Plank


Then the other angle or side.


Here drilling for the dowel not going all the way through.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank Tool


With the jig at an angle I needed to cut some off the end for the guide wheel.



Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


Wood Electronic instrument Audio equipment Output device Hardwood

Product Wood Gas Audio equipment Font

Rectangle Wood Flooring Gas Font


Bolt Guide
Wood Gas Machine Electronic device Space


One last thing Stop blocks.*
I put the fence close to the base and add a screw to the base, near the edge and clamp a block of wood for a stop block to the fence.
This is the stop as I pull the jig toward me.
I use a block at the back screwed to my out feed table for the outer most stop.
Now you can push and pull on the sled with out having to worry about anything.

There are much simpler jigs for making threaded wheels but if you need it make a ton of them this can get it done fast and safe as your hands are a long way away from trouble and the guide makes it a no brainier just add some wheel blanks adjust the blade height and off you go.
It is now hung on the wall ready for use at any time with no setup.
I think it may be a good idea as your cutting wheels to give your table saw a brake to cool down once in a while. LOL

If I'm up to it I may try and make a wheel making blog from start to finish as always before I would just show the newer tips which has gotten everything pretty spread out.

I hope this is helpful.
Htl over and out.
I'm pleased you left the blog up Bruce,
It's a first class jig, thank you.
 

Attachments

#8 ·
Wheel making jig number 3

This is wheel jig number 3.

Make sure your eyes are rested and you have your reading glasses handy it's a long one.

Here's the kind a wheels I can make with this jig.




I seem to never quit finding I need to adjust my jig for different sized wheels, and have been building more modern cars that use small wheels even though they are not small models.
The case in point was my last build a Mustang, I blow up the plans to be twice as big and the wheels were still under 2".
This is a problem as my jig was made for wheels around 2 3/4 or bigger and I need to use a 7 1/4 saw blade to get the thin kerfs that looks right..
The problem comes in because to do the smaller wheels the blade needs to be raised in the jig but a 7 1/4 blade will only go up so far, a 10" blade will work but if you cut 36 treads for the tire as the jig is set up for, the thicker blade cut and the smaller circumference of the wheel make for some really thin treads.
The fix is to make an adjustable jig that can raise and lower the axle bar as needed to still be able to use the 7 1/4 blade.

The jig I use now can do this but you have to take the axle bar apart and lower to different holes to get it done and it's very time consuming.
So the plan is to take my oldest wheel jig apart and use the table saw sled from it then build an adjustable axle bar for it.

Some one asked me a question the other day and I went to looking up an answer in my blog posts and even with the index I made things are hard to find about wheel making.
As I'm now waiting for Gatto to send me their plans for a Chevy Corvette I thought I would redo the wheel jig and get ready for some wheels and while I'm at it make a blog of the jig build with measurements .

So here's the jig all finished up, I guess I should put some finish on it but it's a tool not a model.


I know some will say it looks just like the last one but there's two really big differences.
One is the height adjustment and the other is when I switch from one angle to the other or to straight all my guides use the same dowel holes for setting the angle so no more confusion about which hole is which so the change over is much quicker.

With the back guide fence in place and the quick change wheel stop I've still got 6 1/2" of space for tire blanks, which means I can do 6 to 8 tires at a time in the straight cut mod.
In angled mod you can only do one at a time and some times two if I'm not after to nice a match on the tread.

The base is a table saw sled with no braces top and bottom [If I start having any warp problems I will add some but have had nun in over a year]

Here is the sled bottom when finished, it was square to start with.
There are a ton a how 2s about making the sled so check one of them out.
Every table saw is different so need to make to suit, just remember that where the blade come through is the important thing, adjust to that..
The cut angle on the bottom of the sled are so the handle can turn as it hangs over the side of the sled.



First I build a box 5" wide and 3" deep, and 4" high, there is a grove cut [3" side] where the axle bar needs to go throw and needs to be able to go up and down.
The grove goes up to 2 1/2", which should let me make 4 3/4 wheels to 1 1/4.
This box is used to keep everything squared up.
Made with a top and bottom and I used screws so if anything down the road needs changed no problem.


Notice I have a 3/4 space before the long sides, this is for the axle guide plates, front and back.
NOTE Cut all the sides and guide plates at the same time so all will match up, also the axle holes.
Really none of these measurements are critical I just went big for if I ever build another Hummer, then again if tractors are in your future go wide my friend go wide and high. LOL



Now for the guide plates which should fit snug so as you raise and lower them they'll match the other side.
I won't be raising and lowering that much so will just use screws to hold them in place as needed.
Later I may add dowels for fast high adjustments.
I drilled 1/4" holes for the axles in the sliding plates about 1 1/4" high but I could have gone down to 3/4" or the top of the bottom plate.
These are the plates that will go up and down when needed for tread height.

Down for the smaller wheels.


Up for the big dogs.



I used 1/4" all tread for the jig, which matches my model builds if you build with bigger axles use bigger, bigger would be better.
Here you can see where I bolt a wheel with some sand paper on it, this is where the wheels get held to the axle so they can't move.
I use tree nuts to help hold it all together.
Note I add a small screw to the tee nut to make sure all stays in place.

The nut pattern goes as follows on the all thread..

Nut--lock washer--plywood guide--tee nut--fender washer--
plywood *--fender washer--nut--lock washer---
plywood
[nuts should be locked just behind plywood and all other parts locked to this]---fender washer--nut--lock washer--nut--fender washer--plywood--tee nut.
[this last tee nut should be flush with the wood and then sand paper added to help hold the wheel blanks]



Here again we see the tee nut doing it's job, I all so have one on the back side of the handle with the teeth cut off.
This handle and the wheel clamp must not move on the axle or the jig will not work right.
You also see in this picture where I added a spacer where the guide pin goes in the guide to stop any slop in the guide.

I prefer to use a pin in the guide to hold the wheels in place, when cutting 8 wheels at a time you don't want any slip ups.



Here's a good picture of the table set up in straight mod.
When you build your sled, once its made set it on the table saw and cut out the center so you'll know where it is, then you'll know where to place the jig center of the saw blade in straight mod.

Note try not to cut out any more of the kerf then need be for strength.



Here you can see where I added the wings so I would have something to bolt the jig to the base.

Also you can see the two screws holding the wings down, if you look closely there's three dowels put in place to guide me the next time I take off and on the fence.
I used the same guide holes and dowels on the wings for every angle change, and the screws go back in the same holes, this way changing from one angle to another takes minutes with no thought needed to readjust anything.


NOTE Be sure not to put any screws or nails where the saw can get to them when the jig is in angle mod.

Here I'm setting up the angle using a 30-60-90 Triangle






Then the other angle or side.


Here drilling for the dowel not going all the way through.


With the jig at an angle I needed to cut some off the end for the guide wheel.









Bolt Guide


One last thing Stop blocks.*
I put the fence close to the base and add a screw to the base, near the edge and clamp a block of wood for a stop block to the fence.
This is the stop as I pull the jig toward me.
I use a block at the back screwed to my out feed table for the outer most stop.
Now you can push and pull on the sled with out having to worry about anything.

There are much simpler jigs for making threaded wheels but if you need it make a ton of them this can get it done fast and safe as your hands are a long way away from trouble and the guide makes it a no brainier just add some wheel blanks adjust the blade height and off you go.
It is now hung on the wall ready for use at any time with no setup.
I think it may be a good idea as your cutting wheels to give your table saw a brake to cool down once in a while. LOL

If I'm up to it I may try and make a wheel making blog from start to finish as always before I would just show the newer tips which has gotten everything pretty spread out.

I hope this is helpful.
Htl over and out.
Oldrivers I have been working on refining this jig ever since I saw Dutchy building his beautiful wheels way back in March of 2016, it put a fire under me to come up with a no brainier, safe way to build nice treads for our tires.
 

Attachments

#9 ·
Wheel making jig number 3

This is wheel jig number 3.

Make sure your eyes are rested and you have your reading glasses handy it's a long one.

Here's the kind a wheels I can make with this jig.
Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire White


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber


I seem to never quit finding I need to adjust my jig for different sized wheels, and have been building more modern cars that use small wheels even though they are not small models.
The case in point was my last build a Mustang, I blow up the plans to be twice as big and the wheels were still under 2".
This is a problem as my jig was made for wheels around 2 3/4 or bigger and I need to use a 7 1/4 saw blade to get the thin kerfs that looks right..
The problem comes in because to do the smaller wheels the blade needs to be raised in the jig but a 7 1/4 blade will only go up so far, a 10" blade will work but if you cut 36 treads for the tire as the jig is set up for, the thicker blade cut and the smaller circumference of the wheel make for some really thin treads.
The fix is to make an adjustable jig that can raise and lower the axle bar as needed to still be able to use the 7 1/4 blade.

The jig I use now can do this but you have to take the axle bar apart and lower to different holes to get it done and it's very time consuming.
So the plan is to take my oldest wheel jig apart and use the table saw sled from it then build an adjustable axle bar for it.

Some one asked me a question the other day and I went to looking up an answer in my blog posts and even with the index I made things are hard to find about wheel making.
As I'm now waiting for Gatto to send me their plans for a Chevy Corvette I thought I would redo the wheel jig and get ready for some wheels and while I'm at it make a blog of the jig build with measurements .

So here's the jig all finished up, I guess I should put some finish on it but it's a tool not a model.
Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


I know some will say it looks just like the last one but there's two really big differences.
One is the height adjustment and the other is when I switch from one angle to the other or to straight all my guides use the same dowel holes for setting the angle so no more confusion about which hole is which so the change over is much quicker.

With the back guide fence in place and the quick change wheel stop I've still got 6 1/2" of space for tire blanks, which means I can do 6 to 8 tires at a time in the straight cut mod.
In angled mod you can only do one at a time and some times two if I'm not after to nice a match on the tread.

The base is a table saw sled with no braces top and bottom [If I start having any warp problems I will add some but have had nun in over a year]

Here is the sled bottom when finished, it was square to start with.
There are a ton a how 2s about making the sled so check one of them out.
Every table saw is different so need to make to suit, just remember that where the blade come through is the important thing, adjust to that..
The cut angle on the bottom of the sled are so the handle can turn as it hangs over the side of the sled.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


First I build a box 5" wide and 3" deep, and 4" high, there is a grove cut [3" side] where the axle bar needs to go throw and needs to be able to go up and down.
The grove goes up to 2 1/2", which should let me make 4 3/4 wheels to 1 1/4.
This box is used to keep everything squared up.
Made with a top and bottom and I used screws so if anything down the road needs changed no problem.

Wood Audio equipment Hardwood Gas Public address system

Notice I have a 3/4 space before the long sides, this is for the axle guide plates, front and back.
NOTE Cut all the sides and guide plates at the same time so all will match up, also the axle holes.
Really none of these measurements are critical I just went big for if I ever build another Hummer, then again if tractors are in your future go wide my friend go wide and high. LOL

Wood Table Hardwood Lumber Plywood


Now for the guide plates which should fit snug so as you raise and lower them they'll match the other side.
I won't be raising and lowering that much so will just use screws to hold them in place as needed.
Later I may add dowels for fast high adjustments.
I drilled 1/4" holes for the axles in the sliding plates about 1 1/4" high but I could have gone down to 3/4" or the top of the bottom plate.
These are the plates that will go up and down when needed for tread height.

Down for the smaller wheels.
Wood Audio equipment Gas Electric fan Technology


Up for the big dogs.

Wood Audio equipment Gas Hardwood Plywood


I used 1/4" all tread for the jig, which matches my model builds if you build with bigger axles use bigger, bigger would be better.
Here you can see where I bolt a wheel with some sand paper on it, this is where the wheels get held to the axle so they can't move.
I use tree nuts to help hold it all together.
Note I add a small screw to the tee nut to make sure all stays in place.

The nut pattern goes as follows on the all thread..

Nut--lock washer--plywood guide--tee nut--fender washer--
plywood *--fender washer--nut--lock washer---
plywood
[nuts should be locked just behind plywood and all other parts locked to this]---fender washer--nut--lock washer--nut--fender washer--plywood--tee nut.
[this last tee nut should be flush with the wood and then sand paper added to help hold the wheel blanks]

Wood Fixture Wood stain Gas Hardwood


Here again we see the tee nut doing it's job, I all so have one on the back side of the handle with the teeth cut off.
This handle and the wheel clamp must not move on the axle or the jig will not work right.
You also see in this picture where I added a spacer where the guide pin goes in the guide to stop any slop in the guide.

I prefer to use a pin in the guide to hold the wheels in place, when cutting 8 wheels at a time you don't want any slip ups.

Wood Gas Machine tool Machine Tool


Here's a good picture of the table set up in straight mod.
When you build your sled, once its made set it on the table saw and cut out the center so you'll know where it is, then you'll know where to place the jig center of the saw blade in straight mod.

Note try not to cut out any more of the kerf then need be for strength.

Wood Gas Flooring Hardwood Plywood


Here you can see where I added the wings so I would have something to bolt the jig to the base.

Also you can see the two screws holding the wings down, if you look closely there's three dowels put in place to guide me the next time I take off and on the fence.
I used the same guide holes and dowels on the wings for every angle change, and the screws go back in the same holes, this way changing from one angle to another takes minutes with no thought needed to readjust anything.
Wood Ruler Rectangle Floor Office ruler


NOTE Be sure not to put any screws or nails where the saw can get to them when the jig is in angle mod.

Here I'm setting up the angle using a 30-60-90 Triangle
Wood Hardwood Flooring Plywood Wood stain


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plywood Flooring


Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood Plank


Then the other angle or side.
Wood Building Gas Rectangle Hardwood


Here drilling for the dowel not going all the way through.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank Tool


With the jig at an angle I needed to cut some off the end for the guide wheel.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


Wood Electronic instrument Audio equipment Output device Hardwood


Rectangle Wood Flooring Gas Font


Bolt Guide
Wood Gas Machine Electronic device Space


One last thing Stop blocks.*
I put the fence close to the base and add a screw to the base, near the edge and clamp a block of wood for a stop block to the fence.
This is the stop as I pull the jig toward me.
I use a block at the back screwed to my out feed table for the outer most stop.
Now you can push and pull on the sled with out having to worry about anything.

There are much simpler jigs for making threaded wheels but if you need it make a ton of them this can get it done fast and safe as your hands are a long way away from trouble and the guide makes it a no brainier just add some wheel blanks adjust the blade height and off you go.
It is now hung on the wall ready for use at any time with no setup.
I think it may be a good idea as your cutting wheels to give your table saw a brake to cool down once in a while. LOL

If I'm up to it I may try and make a wheel making blog from start to finish as always before I would just show the newer tips which has gotten everything pretty spread out.

I hope this is helpful.
Htl over and out.
Hi .. i was wondering if you sale the wheel jig ,, i would pay you to build ne for me ??
i would love to make those kind of wheels .. PLEASE e-mail me back
Bruce
 

Attachments

#10 ·
Wheel making jig number 3

This is wheel jig number 3.

Make sure your eyes are rested and you have your reading glasses handy it's a long one.

Here's the kind a wheels I can make with this jig.
Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire White


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber


I seem to never quit finding I need to adjust my jig for different sized wheels, and have been building more modern cars that use small wheels even though they are not small models.
The case in point was my last build a Mustang, I blow up the plans to be twice as big and the wheels were still under 2".
This is a problem as my jig was made for wheels around 2 3/4 or bigger and I need to use a 7 1/4 saw blade to get the thin kerfs that looks right..
The problem comes in because to do the smaller wheels the blade needs to be raised in the jig but a 7 1/4 blade will only go up so far, a 10" blade will work but if you cut 36 treads for the tire as the jig is set up for, the thicker blade cut and the smaller circumference of the wheel make for some really thin treads.
The fix is to make an adjustable jig that can raise and lower the axle bar as needed to still be able to use the 7 1/4 blade.

The jig I use now can do this but you have to take the axle bar apart and lower to different holes to get it done and it's very time consuming.
So the plan is to take my oldest wheel jig apart and use the table saw sled from it then build an adjustable axle bar for it.

Some one asked me a question the other day and I went to looking up an answer in my blog posts and even with the index I made things are hard to find about wheel making.
As I'm now waiting for Gatto to send me their plans for a Chevy Corvette I thought I would redo the wheel jig and get ready for some wheels and while I'm at it make a blog of the jig build with measurements .

So here's the jig all finished up, I guess I should put some finish on it but it's a tool not a model.
Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


I know some will say it looks just like the last one but there's two really big differences.
One is the height adjustment and the other is when I switch from one angle to the other or to straight all my guides use the same dowel holes for setting the angle so no more confusion about which hole is which so the change over is much quicker.

With the back guide fence in place and the quick change wheel stop I've still got 6 1/2" of space for tire blanks, which means I can do 6 to 8 tires at a time in the straight cut mod.
In angled mod you can only do one at a time and some times two if I'm not after to nice a match on the tread.

The base is a table saw sled with no braces top and bottom [If I start having any warp problems I will add some but have had nun in over a year]

Here is the sled bottom when finished, it was square to start with.
There are a ton a how 2s about making the sled so check one of them out.
Every table saw is different so need to make to suit, just remember that where the blade come through is the important thing, adjust to that..
The cut angle on the bottom of the sled are so the handle can turn as it hangs over the side of the sled.



First I build a box 5" wide and 3" deep, and 4" high, there is a grove cut [3" side] where the axle bar needs to go throw and needs to be able to go up and down.
The grove goes up to 2 1/2", which should let me make 4 3/4 wheels to 1 1/4.
This box is used to keep everything squared up.
Made with a top and bottom and I used screws so if anything down the road needs changed no problem.

Wood Audio equipment Hardwood Gas Public address system

Notice I have a 3/4 space before the long sides, this is for the axle guide plates, front and back.
NOTE Cut all the sides and guide plates at the same time so all will match up, also the axle holes.
Really none of these measurements are critical I just went big for if I ever build another Hummer, then again if tractors are in your future go wide my friend go wide and high. LOL

Wood Table Hardwood Lumber Plywood


Now for the guide plates which should fit snug so as you raise and lower them they'll match the other side.
I won't be raising and lowering that much so will just use screws to hold them in place as needed.
Later I may add dowels for fast high adjustments.
I drilled 1/4" holes for the axles in the sliding plates about 1 1/4" high but I could have gone down to 3/4" or the top of the bottom plate.
These are the plates that will go up and down when needed for tread height.

Down for the smaller wheels.
Wood Audio equipment Gas Electric fan Technology


Up for the big dogs.

Wood Audio equipment Gas Hardwood Plywood


I used 1/4" all tread for the jig, which matches my model builds if you build with bigger axles use bigger, bigger would be better.
Here you can see where I bolt a wheel with some sand paper on it, this is where the wheels get held to the axle so they can't move.
I use tree nuts to help hold it all together.
Note I add a small screw to the tee nut to make sure all stays in place.

The nut pattern goes as follows on the all thread..

Nut--lock washer--plywood guide--tee nut--fender washer--
plywood *--fender washer--nut--lock washer---
plywood
[nuts should be locked just behind plywood and all other parts locked to this]---fender washer--nut--lock washer--nut--fender washer--plywood--tee nut.
[this last tee nut should be flush with the wood and then sand paper added to help hold the wheel blanks]

Wood Fixture Wood stain Gas Hardwood


Here again we see the tee nut doing it's job, I all so have one on the back side of the handle with the teeth cut off.
This handle and the wheel clamp must not move on the axle or the jig will not work right.
You also see in this picture where I added a spacer where the guide pin goes in the guide to stop any slop in the guide.

I prefer to use a pin in the guide to hold the wheels in place, when cutting 8 wheels at a time you don't want any slip ups.

Wood Gas Machine tool Machine Tool


Here's a good picture of the table set up in straight mod.
When you build your sled, once its made set it on the table saw and cut out the center so you'll know where it is, then you'll know where to place the jig center of the saw blade in straight mod.

Note try not to cut out any more of the kerf then need be for strength.

Wood Gas Flooring Hardwood Plywood


Here you can see where I added the wings so I would have something to bolt the jig to the base.

Also you can see the two screws holding the wings down, if you look closely there's three dowels put in place to guide me the next time I take off and on the fence.
I used the same guide holes and dowels on the wings for every angle change, and the screws go back in the same holes, this way changing from one angle to another takes minutes with no thought needed to readjust anything.
Wood Ruler Rectangle Floor Office ruler


NOTE Be sure not to put any screws or nails where the saw can get to them when the jig is in angle mod.

Here I'm setting up the angle using a 30-60-90 Triangle
Wood Hardwood Flooring Plywood Wood stain






Then the other angle or side.


Here drilling for the dowel not going all the way through.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank Tool


With the jig at an angle I needed to cut some off the end for the guide wheel.





Wood Electronic instrument Audio equipment Output device Hardwood

Product Wood Gas Audio equipment Font

Rectangle Wood Flooring Gas Font


Bolt Guide
Wood Gas Machine Electronic device Space


One last thing Stop blocks.*
I put the fence close to the base and add a screw to the base, near the edge and clamp a block of wood for a stop block to the fence.
This is the stop as I pull the jig toward me.
I use a block at the back screwed to my out feed table for the outer most stop.
Now you can push and pull on the sled with out having to worry about anything.

There are much simpler jigs for making threaded wheels but if you need it make a ton of them this can get it done fast and safe as your hands are a long way away from trouble and the guide makes it a no brainier just add some wheel blanks adjust the blade height and off you go.
It is now hung on the wall ready for use at any time with no setup.
I think it may be a good idea as your cutting wheels to give your table saw a brake to cool down once in a while. LOL

If I'm up to it I may try and make a wheel making blog from start to finish as always before I would just show the newer tips which has gotten everything pretty spread out.

I hope this is helpful.
Htl over and out.
Bruce I would love to build you one, but the shipping would be big bucks and a headache to Canada me thinks.
 

Attachments

#11 ·
Wheel making jig number 3

This is wheel jig number 3.

Make sure your eyes are rested and you have your reading glasses handy it's a long one.

Here's the kind a wheels I can make with this jig.
Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire White


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber


I seem to never quit finding I need to adjust my jig for different sized wheels, and have been building more modern cars that use small wheels even though they are not small models.
The case in point was my last build a Mustang, I blow up the plans to be twice as big and the wheels were still under 2".
This is a problem as my jig was made for wheels around 2 3/4 or bigger and I need to use a 7 1/4 saw blade to get the thin kerfs that looks right..
The problem comes in because to do the smaller wheels the blade needs to be raised in the jig but a 7 1/4 blade will only go up so far, a 10" blade will work but if you cut 36 treads for the tire as the jig is set up for, the thicker blade cut and the smaller circumference of the wheel make for some really thin treads.
The fix is to make an adjustable jig that can raise and lower the axle bar as needed to still be able to use the 7 1/4 blade.

The jig I use now can do this but you have to take the axle bar apart and lower to different holes to get it done and it's very time consuming.
So the plan is to take my oldest wheel jig apart and use the table saw sled from it then build an adjustable axle bar for it.

Some one asked me a question the other day and I went to looking up an answer in my blog posts and even with the index I made things are hard to find about wheel making.
As I'm now waiting for Gatto to send me their plans for a Chevy Corvette I thought I would redo the wheel jig and get ready for some wheels and while I'm at it make a blog of the jig build with measurements .

So here's the jig all finished up, I guess I should put some finish on it but it's a tool not a model.
Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


I know some will say it looks just like the last one but there's two really big differences.
One is the height adjustment and the other is when I switch from one angle to the other or to straight all my guides use the same dowel holes for setting the angle so no more confusion about which hole is which so the change over is much quicker.

With the back guide fence in place and the quick change wheel stop I've still got 6 1/2" of space for tire blanks, which means I can do 6 to 8 tires at a time in the straight cut mod.
In angled mod you can only do one at a time and some times two if I'm not after to nice a match on the tread.

The base is a table saw sled with no braces top and bottom [If I start having any warp problems I will add some but have had nun in over a year]

Here is the sled bottom when finished, it was square to start with.
There are a ton a how 2s about making the sled so check one of them out.
Every table saw is different so need to make to suit, just remember that where the blade come through is the important thing, adjust to that..
The cut angle on the bottom of the sled are so the handle can turn as it hangs over the side of the sled.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


First I build a box 5" wide and 3" deep, and 4" high, there is a grove cut [3" side] where the axle bar needs to go throw and needs to be able to go up and down.
The grove goes up to 2 1/2", which should let me make 4 3/4 wheels to 1 1/4.
This box is used to keep everything squared up.
Made with a top and bottom and I used screws so if anything down the road needs changed no problem.

Wood Audio equipment Hardwood Gas Public address system

Notice I have a 3/4 space before the long sides, this is for the axle guide plates, front and back.
NOTE Cut all the sides and guide plates at the same time so all will match up, also the axle holes.
Really none of these measurements are critical I just went big for if I ever build another Hummer, then again if tractors are in your future go wide my friend go wide and high. LOL

Wood Table Hardwood Lumber Plywood


Now for the guide plates which should fit snug so as you raise and lower them they'll match the other side.
I won't be raising and lowering that much so will just use screws to hold them in place as needed.
Later I may add dowels for fast high adjustments.
I drilled 1/4" holes for the axles in the sliding plates about 1 1/4" high but I could have gone down to 3/4" or the top of the bottom plate.
These are the plates that will go up and down when needed for tread height.

Down for the smaller wheels.
Wood Audio equipment Gas Electric fan Technology


Up for the big dogs.

Wood Audio equipment Gas Hardwood Plywood


I used 1/4" all tread for the jig, which matches my model builds if you build with bigger axles use bigger, bigger would be better.
Here you can see where I bolt a wheel with some sand paper on it, this is where the wheels get held to the axle so they can't move.
I use tree nuts to help hold it all together.
Note I add a small screw to the tee nut to make sure all stays in place.

The nut pattern goes as follows on the all thread..

Nut--lock washer--plywood guide--tee nut--fender washer--
plywood *--fender washer--nut--lock washer---
plywood
[nuts should be locked just behind plywood and all other parts locked to this]---fender washer--nut--lock washer--nut--fender washer--plywood--tee nut.
[this last tee nut should be flush with the wood and then sand paper added to help hold the wheel blanks]



Here again we see the tee nut doing it's job, I all so have one on the back side of the handle with the teeth cut off.
This handle and the wheel clamp must not move on the axle or the jig will not work right.
You also see in this picture where I added a spacer where the guide pin goes in the guide to stop any slop in the guide.

I prefer to use a pin in the guide to hold the wheels in place, when cutting 8 wheels at a time you don't want any slip ups.

Wood Gas Machine tool Machine Tool


Here's a good picture of the table set up in straight mod.
When you build your sled, once its made set it on the table saw and cut out the center so you'll know where it is, then you'll know where to place the jig center of the saw blade in straight mod.

Note try not to cut out any more of the kerf then need be for strength.

Wood Gas Flooring Hardwood Plywood


Here you can see where I added the wings so I would have something to bolt the jig to the base.

Also you can see the two screws holding the wings down, if you look closely there's three dowels put in place to guide me the next time I take off and on the fence.
I used the same guide holes and dowels on the wings for every angle change, and the screws go back in the same holes, this way changing from one angle to another takes minutes with no thought needed to readjust anything.
Wood Ruler Rectangle Floor Office ruler


NOTE Be sure not to put any screws or nails where the saw can get to them when the jig is in angle mod.

Here I'm setting up the angle using a 30-60-90 Triangle
Wood Hardwood Flooring Plywood Wood stain


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plywood Flooring


Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood Plank


Then the other angle or side.


Here drilling for the dowel not going all the way through.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank Tool


With the jig at an angle I needed to cut some off the end for the guide wheel.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


Wood Electronic instrument Audio equipment Output device Hardwood

Product Wood Gas Audio equipment Font

Rectangle Wood Flooring Gas Font


Bolt Guide
Wood Gas Machine Electronic device Space


One last thing Stop blocks.*
I put the fence close to the base and add a screw to the base, near the edge and clamp a block of wood for a stop block to the fence.
This is the stop as I pull the jig toward me.
I use a block at the back screwed to my out feed table for the outer most stop.
Now you can push and pull on the sled with out having to worry about anything.

There are much simpler jigs for making threaded wheels but if you need it make a ton of them this can get it done fast and safe as your hands are a long way away from trouble and the guide makes it a no brainier just add some wheel blanks adjust the blade height and off you go.
It is now hung on the wall ready for use at any time with no setup.
I think it may be a good idea as your cutting wheels to give your table saw a brake to cool down once in a while. LOL

If I'm up to it I may try and make a wheel making blog from start to finish as always before I would just show the newer tips which has gotten everything pretty spread out.

I hope this is helpful.
Htl over and out.
Bruce I would love to build you one, but the shipping would be big bucks and a headache to Canada me thinks.

- htl
Just a thought.
What about a flat pack kit, lacquered of course with some of Bruce's first class instructions & photos.
Maybe easier.
 

Attachments

#12 ·
Wheel making jig number 3

This is wheel jig number 3.

Make sure your eyes are rested and you have your reading glasses handy it's a long one.

Here's the kind a wheels I can make with this jig.
Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire White


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber


I seem to never quit finding I need to adjust my jig for different sized wheels, and have been building more modern cars that use small wheels even though they are not small models.
The case in point was my last build a Mustang, I blow up the plans to be twice as big and the wheels were still under 2".
This is a problem as my jig was made for wheels around 2 3/4 or bigger and I need to use a 7 1/4 saw blade to get the thin kerfs that looks right..
The problem comes in because to do the smaller wheels the blade needs to be raised in the jig but a 7 1/4 blade will only go up so far, a 10" blade will work but if you cut 36 treads for the tire as the jig is set up for, the thicker blade cut and the smaller circumference of the wheel make for some really thin treads.
The fix is to make an adjustable jig that can raise and lower the axle bar as needed to still be able to use the 7 1/4 blade.

The jig I use now can do this but you have to take the axle bar apart and lower to different holes to get it done and it's very time consuming.
So the plan is to take my oldest wheel jig apart and use the table saw sled from it then build an adjustable axle bar for it.

Some one asked me a question the other day and I went to looking up an answer in my blog posts and even with the index I made things are hard to find about wheel making.
As I'm now waiting for Gatto to send me their plans for a Chevy Corvette I thought I would redo the wheel jig and get ready for some wheels and while I'm at it make a blog of the jig build with measurements .

So here's the jig all finished up, I guess I should put some finish on it but it's a tool not a model.
Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


I know some will say it looks just like the last one but there's two really big differences.
One is the height adjustment and the other is when I switch from one angle to the other or to straight all my guides use the same dowel holes for setting the angle so no more confusion about which hole is which so the change over is much quicker.

With the back guide fence in place and the quick change wheel stop I've still got 6 1/2" of space for tire blanks, which means I can do 6 to 8 tires at a time in the straight cut mod.
In angled mod you can only do one at a time and some times two if I'm not after to nice a match on the tread.

The base is a table saw sled with no braces top and bottom [If I start having any warp problems I will add some but have had nun in over a year]

Here is the sled bottom when finished, it was square to start with.
There are a ton a how 2s about making the sled so check one of them out.
Every table saw is different so need to make to suit, just remember that where the blade come through is the important thing, adjust to that..
The cut angle on the bottom of the sled are so the handle can turn as it hangs over the side of the sled.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


First I build a box 5" wide and 3" deep, and 4" high, there is a grove cut [3" side] where the axle bar needs to go throw and needs to be able to go up and down.
The grove goes up to 2 1/2", which should let me make 4 3/4 wheels to 1 1/4.
This box is used to keep everything squared up.
Made with a top and bottom and I used screws so if anything down the road needs changed no problem.


Notice I have a 3/4 space before the long sides, this is for the axle guide plates, front and back.
NOTE Cut all the sides and guide plates at the same time so all will match up, also the axle holes.
Really none of these measurements are critical I just went big for if I ever build another Hummer, then again if tractors are in your future go wide my friend go wide and high. LOL

Wood Table Hardwood Lumber Plywood


Now for the guide plates which should fit snug so as you raise and lower them they'll match the other side.
I won't be raising and lowering that much so will just use screws to hold them in place as needed.
Later I may add dowels for fast high adjustments.
I drilled 1/4" holes for the axles in the sliding plates about 1 1/4" high but I could have gone down to 3/4" or the top of the bottom plate.
These are the plates that will go up and down when needed for tread height.

Down for the smaller wheels.
Wood Audio equipment Gas Electric fan Technology


Up for the big dogs.

Wood Audio equipment Gas Hardwood Plywood


I used 1/4" all tread for the jig, which matches my model builds if you build with bigger axles use bigger, bigger would be better.
Here you can see where I bolt a wheel with some sand paper on it, this is where the wheels get held to the axle so they can't move.
I use tree nuts to help hold it all together.
Note I add a small screw to the tee nut to make sure all stays in place.

The nut pattern goes as follows on the all thread..

Nut--lock washer--plywood guide--tee nut--fender washer--
plywood *--fender washer--nut--lock washer---
plywood
[nuts should be locked just behind plywood and all other parts locked to this]---fender washer--nut--lock washer--nut--fender washer--plywood--tee nut.
[this last tee nut should be flush with the wood and then sand paper added to help hold the wheel blanks]

Wood Fixture Wood stain Gas Hardwood


Here again we see the tee nut doing it's job, I all so have one on the back side of the handle with the teeth cut off.
This handle and the wheel clamp must not move on the axle or the jig will not work right.
You also see in this picture where I added a spacer where the guide pin goes in the guide to stop any slop in the guide.

I prefer to use a pin in the guide to hold the wheels in place, when cutting 8 wheels at a time you don't want any slip ups.

Wood Gas Machine tool Machine Tool


Here's a good picture of the table set up in straight mod.
When you build your sled, once its made set it on the table saw and cut out the center so you'll know where it is, then you'll know where to place the jig center of the saw blade in straight mod.

Note try not to cut out any more of the kerf then need be for strength.

Wood Gas Flooring Hardwood Plywood


Here you can see where I added the wings so I would have something to bolt the jig to the base.

Also you can see the two screws holding the wings down, if you look closely there's three dowels put in place to guide me the next time I take off and on the fence.
I used the same guide holes and dowels on the wings for every angle change, and the screws go back in the same holes, this way changing from one angle to another takes minutes with no thought needed to readjust anything.


NOTE Be sure not to put any screws or nails where the saw can get to them when the jig is in angle mod.

Here I'm setting up the angle using a 30-60-90 Triangle


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plywood Flooring


Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood Plank


Then the other angle or side.
Wood Building Gas Rectangle Hardwood


Here drilling for the dowel not going all the way through.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank Tool


With the jig at an angle I needed to cut some off the end for the guide wheel.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


Wood Electronic instrument Audio equipment Output device Hardwood

Product Wood Gas Audio equipment Font

Rectangle Wood Flooring Gas Font


Bolt Guide
Wood Gas Machine Electronic device Space


One last thing Stop blocks.*
I put the fence close to the base and add a screw to the base, near the edge and clamp a block of wood for a stop block to the fence.
This is the stop as I pull the jig toward me.
I use a block at the back screwed to my out feed table for the outer most stop.
Now you can push and pull on the sled with out having to worry about anything.

There are much simpler jigs for making threaded wheels but if you need it make a ton of them this can get it done fast and safe as your hands are a long way away from trouble and the guide makes it a no brainier just add some wheel blanks adjust the blade height and off you go.
It is now hung on the wall ready for use at any time with no setup.
I think it may be a good idea as your cutting wheels to give your table saw a brake to cool down once in a while. LOL

If I'm up to it I may try and make a wheel making blog from start to finish as always before I would just show the newer tips which has gotten everything pretty spread out.

I hope this is helpful.
Htl over and out.
I'm in the process of making the plans clearer and an trying my hand at SkethUp so we will see.
 

Attachments

#13 ·
Wheel making jig number 3

This is wheel jig number 3.

Make sure your eyes are rested and you have your reading glasses handy it's a long one.

Here's the kind a wheels I can make with this jig.
Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire White


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber


I seem to never quit finding I need to adjust my jig for different sized wheels, and have been building more modern cars that use small wheels even though they are not small models.
The case in point was my last build a Mustang, I blow up the plans to be twice as big and the wheels were still under 2".
This is a problem as my jig was made for wheels around 2 3/4 or bigger and I need to use a 7 1/4 saw blade to get the thin kerfs that looks right..
The problem comes in because to do the smaller wheels the blade needs to be raised in the jig but a 7 1/4 blade will only go up so far, a 10" blade will work but if you cut 36 treads for the tire as the jig is set up for, the thicker blade cut and the smaller circumference of the wheel make for some really thin treads.
The fix is to make an adjustable jig that can raise and lower the axle bar as needed to still be able to use the 7 1/4 blade.

The jig I use now can do this but you have to take the axle bar apart and lower to different holes to get it done and it's very time consuming.
So the plan is to take my oldest wheel jig apart and use the table saw sled from it then build an adjustable axle bar for it.

Some one asked me a question the other day and I went to looking up an answer in my blog posts and even with the index I made things are hard to find about wheel making.
As I'm now waiting for Gatto to send me their plans for a Chevy Corvette I thought I would redo the wheel jig and get ready for some wheels and while I'm at it make a blog of the jig build with measurements .

So here's the jig all finished up, I guess I should put some finish on it but it's a tool not a model.
Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


I know some will say it looks just like the last one but there's two really big differences.
One is the height adjustment and the other is when I switch from one angle to the other or to straight all my guides use the same dowel holes for setting the angle so no more confusion about which hole is which so the change over is much quicker.

With the back guide fence in place and the quick change wheel stop I've still got 6 1/2" of space for tire blanks, which means I can do 6 to 8 tires at a time in the straight cut mod.
In angled mod you can only do one at a time and some times two if I'm not after to nice a match on the tread.

The base is a table saw sled with no braces top and bottom [If I start having any warp problems I will add some but have had nun in over a year]

Here is the sled bottom when finished, it was square to start with.
There are a ton a how 2s about making the sled so check one of them out.
Every table saw is different so need to make to suit, just remember that where the blade come through is the important thing, adjust to that..
The cut angle on the bottom of the sled are so the handle can turn as it hangs over the side of the sled.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


First I build a box 5" wide and 3" deep, and 4" high, there is a grove cut [3" side] where the axle bar needs to go throw and needs to be able to go up and down.
The grove goes up to 2 1/2", which should let me make 4 3/4 wheels to 1 1/4.
This box is used to keep everything squared up.
Made with a top and bottom and I used screws so if anything down the road needs changed no problem.

Wood Audio equipment Hardwood Gas Public address system

Notice I have a 3/4 space before the long sides, this is for the axle guide plates, front and back.
NOTE Cut all the sides and guide plates at the same time so all will match up, also the axle holes.
Really none of these measurements are critical I just went big for if I ever build another Hummer, then again if tractors are in your future go wide my friend go wide and high. LOL

Wood Table Hardwood Lumber Plywood


Now for the guide plates which should fit snug so as you raise and lower them they'll match the other side.
I won't be raising and lowering that much so will just use screws to hold them in place as needed.
Later I may add dowels for fast high adjustments.
I drilled 1/4" holes for the axles in the sliding plates about 1 1/4" high but I could have gone down to 3/4" or the top of the bottom plate.
These are the plates that will go up and down when needed for tread height.

Down for the smaller wheels.
Wood Audio equipment Gas Electric fan Technology


Up for the big dogs.

Wood Audio equipment Gas Hardwood Plywood


I used 1/4" all tread for the jig, which matches my model builds if you build with bigger axles use bigger, bigger would be better.
Here you can see where I bolt a wheel with some sand paper on it, this is where the wheels get held to the axle so they can't move.
I use tree nuts to help hold it all together.
Note I add a small screw to the tee nut to make sure all stays in place.

The nut pattern goes as follows on the all thread..

Nut--lock washer--plywood guide--tee nut--fender washer--
plywood *--fender washer--nut--lock washer---
plywood
[nuts should be locked just behind plywood and all other parts locked to this]---fender washer--nut--lock washer--nut--fender washer--plywood--tee nut.
[this last tee nut should be flush with the wood and then sand paper added to help hold the wheel blanks]

Wood Fixture Wood stain Gas Hardwood


Here again we see the tee nut doing it's job, I all so have one on the back side of the handle with the teeth cut off.
This handle and the wheel clamp must not move on the axle or the jig will not work right.
You also see in this picture where I added a spacer where the guide pin goes in the guide to stop any slop in the guide.

I prefer to use a pin in the guide to hold the wheels in place, when cutting 8 wheels at a time you don't want any slip ups.

Wood Gas Machine tool Machine Tool


Here's a good picture of the table set up in straight mod.
When you build your sled, once its made set it on the table saw and cut out the center so you'll know where it is, then you'll know where to place the jig center of the saw blade in straight mod.

Note try not to cut out any more of the kerf then need be for strength.

Wood Gas Flooring Hardwood Plywood


Here you can see where I added the wings so I would have something to bolt the jig to the base.

Also you can see the two screws holding the wings down, if you look closely there's three dowels put in place to guide me the next time I take off and on the fence.
I used the same guide holes and dowels on the wings for every angle change, and the screws go back in the same holes, this way changing from one angle to another takes minutes with no thought needed to readjust anything.
Wood Ruler Rectangle Floor Office ruler


NOTE Be sure not to put any screws or nails where the saw can get to them when the jig is in angle mod.

Here I'm setting up the angle using a 30-60-90 Triangle
Wood Hardwood Flooring Plywood Wood stain


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Plywood Flooring


Wood Rectangle Wood stain Hardwood Plank


Then the other angle or side.
Wood Building Gas Rectangle Hardwood


Here drilling for the dowel not going all the way through.
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Plank Tool


With the jig at an angle I needed to cut some off the end for the guide wheel.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Rectangle


Wood Birdhouse Hardwood Pet supply Plywood


Wood Electronic instrument Audio equipment Output device Hardwood

Product Wood Gas Audio equipment Font

Rectangle Wood Flooring Gas Font


Bolt Guide
Wood Gas Machine Electronic device Space


One last thing Stop blocks.*
I put the fence close to the base and add a screw to the base, near the edge and clamp a block of wood for a stop block to the fence.
This is the stop as I pull the jig toward me.
I use a block at the back screwed to my out feed table for the outer most stop.
Now you can push and pull on the sled with out having to worry about anything.

There are much simpler jigs for making threaded wheels but if you need it make a ton of them this can get it done fast and safe as your hands are a long way away from trouble and the guide makes it a no brainier just add some wheel blanks adjust the blade height and off you go.
It is now hung on the wall ready for use at any time with no setup.
I think it may be a good idea as your cutting wheels to give your table saw a brake to cool down once in a while. LOL

If I'm up to it I may try and make a wheel making blog from start to finish as always before I would just show the newer tips which has gotten everything pretty spread out.

I hope this is helpful.
Htl over and out.
I truely hope someday soon I get around top making a wheel jig like yours.
You really have given all of us allot of information and details on how you make your models look so realistic.
 

Attachments

#14 ·
Wheel making jig number 3

This is wheel jig number 3.

Make sure your eyes are rested and you have your reading glasses handy it's a long one.

Here's the kind a wheels I can make with this jig.




I seem to never quit finding I need to adjust my jig for different sized wheels, and have been building more modern cars that use small wheels even though they are not small models.
The case in point was my last build a Mustang, I blow up the plans to be twice as big and the wheels were still under 2".
This is a problem as my jig was made for wheels around 2 3/4 or bigger and I need to use a 7 1/4 saw blade to get the thin kerfs that looks right..
The problem comes in because to do the smaller wheels the blade needs to be raised in the jig but a 7 1/4 blade will only go up so far, a 10" blade will work but if you cut 36 treads for the tire as the jig is set up for, the thicker blade cut and the smaller circumference of the wheel make for some really thin treads.
The fix is to make an adjustable jig that can raise and lower the axle bar as needed to still be able to use the 7 1/4 blade.

The jig I use now can do this but you have to take the axle bar apart and lower to different holes to get it done and it's very time consuming.
So the plan is to take my oldest wheel jig apart and use the table saw sled from it then build an adjustable axle bar for it.

Some one asked me a question the other day and I went to looking up an answer in my blog posts and even with the index I made things are hard to find about wheel making.
As I'm now waiting for Gatto to send me their plans for a Chevy Corvette I thought I would redo the wheel jig and get ready for some wheels and while I'm at it make a blog of the jig build with measurements .

So here's the jig all finished up, I guess I should put some finish on it but it's a tool not a model.


I know some will say it looks just like the last one but there's two really big differences.
One is the height adjustment and the other is when I switch from one angle to the other or to straight all my guides use the same dowel holes for setting the angle so no more confusion about which hole is which so the change over is much quicker.

With the back guide fence in place and the quick change wheel stop I've still got 6 1/2" of space for tire blanks, which means I can do 6 to 8 tires at a time in the straight cut mod.
In angled mod you can only do one at a time and some times two if I'm not after to nice a match on the tread.

The base is a table saw sled with no braces top and bottom [If I start having any warp problems I will add some but have had nun in over a year]

Here is the sled bottom when finished, it was square to start with.
There are a ton a how 2s about making the sled so check one of them out.
Every table saw is different so need to make to suit, just remember that where the blade come through is the important thing, adjust to that..
The cut angle on the bottom of the sled are so the handle can turn as it hangs over the side of the sled.



First I build a box 5" wide and 3" deep, and 4" high, there is a grove cut [3" side] where the axle bar needs to go throw and needs to be able to go up and down.
The grove goes up to 2 1/2", which should let me make 4 3/4 wheels to 1 1/4.
This box is used to keep everything squared up.
Made with a top and bottom and I used screws so if anything down the road needs changed no problem.


Notice I have a 3/4 space before the long sides, this is for the axle guide plates, front and back.
NOTE Cut all the sides and guide plates at the same time so all will match up, also the axle holes.
Really none of these measurements are critical I just went big for if I ever build another Hummer, then again if tractors are in your future go wide my friend go wide and high. LOL



Now for the guide plates which should fit snug so as you raise and lower them they'll match the other side.
I won't be raising and lowering that much so will just use screws to hold them in place as needed.
Later I may add dowels for fast high adjustments.
I drilled 1/4" holes for the axles in the sliding plates about 1 1/4" high but I could have gone down to 3/4" or the top of the bottom plate.
These are the plates that will go up and down when needed for tread height.

Down for the smaller wheels.


Up for the big dogs.



I used 1/4" all tread for the jig, which matches my model builds if you build with bigger axles use bigger, bigger would be better.
Here you can see where I bolt a wheel with some sand paper on it, this is where the wheels get held to the axle so they can't move.
I use tree nuts to help hold it all together.
Note I add a small screw to the tee nut to make sure all stays in place.

The nut pattern goes as follows on the all thread..

Nut--lock washer--plywood guide--tee nut--fender washer--
plywood *--fender washer--nut--lock washer---
plywood
[nuts should be locked just behind plywood and all other parts locked to this]---fender washer--nut--lock washer--nut--fender washer--plywood--tee nut.
[this last tee nut should be flush with the wood and then sand paper added to help hold the wheel blanks]



Here again we see the tee nut doing it's job, I all so have one on the back side of the handle with the teeth cut off.
This handle and the wheel clamp must not move on the axle or the jig will not work right.
You also see in this picture where I added a spacer where the guide pin goes in the guide to stop any slop in the guide.

I prefer to use a pin in the guide to hold the wheels in place, when cutting 8 wheels at a time you don't want any slip ups.



Here's a good picture of the table set up in straight mod.
When you build your sled, once its made set it on the table saw and cut out the center so you'll know where it is, then you'll know where to place the jig center of the saw blade in straight mod.

Note try not to cut out any more of the kerf then need be for strength.



Here you can see where I added the wings so I would have something to bolt the jig to the base.

Also you can see the two screws holding the wings down, if you look closely there's three dowels put in place to guide me the next time I take off and on the fence.
I used the same guide holes and dowels on the wings for every angle change, and the screws go back in the same holes, this way changing from one angle to another takes minutes with no thought needed to readjust anything.


NOTE Be sure not to put any screws or nails where the saw can get to them when the jig is in angle mod.

Here I'm setting up the angle using a 30-60-90 Triangle






Then the other angle or side.


Here drilling for the dowel not going all the way through.


With the jig at an angle I needed to cut some off the end for the guide wheel.









Bolt Guide


One last thing Stop blocks.*
I put the fence close to the base and add a screw to the base, near the edge and clamp a block of wood for a stop block to the fence.
This is the stop as I pull the jig toward me.
I use a block at the back screwed to my out feed table for the outer most stop.
Now you can push and pull on the sled with out having to worry about anything.

There are much simpler jigs for making threaded wheels but if you need it make a ton of them this can get it done fast and safe as your hands are a long way away from trouble and the guide makes it a no brainier just add some wheel blanks adjust the blade height and off you go.
It is now hung on the wall ready for use at any time with no setup.
I think it may be a good idea as your cutting wheels to give your table saw a brake to cool down once in a while. LOL

If I'm up to it I may try and make a wheel making blog from start to finish as always before I would just show the newer tips which has gotten everything pretty spread out.

I hope this is helpful.
Htl over and out.
Mas I have just as much fun blogging about the model projects as I do building them.
 

Attachments

#15 ·
Wheel making jig number 3 Just some extras

I put together some extra tee nuts and bolts on an all threat to better show how it all works together, I'm sure there's a better way but it gets it done for me.

Wood Plumbing fixture Gas Machine Machine tool




Wood Line Electrical wiring Gas Hardwood


And here's what it looks like if you not in the need for the height adjustment.
Wood Wall Shelving Shelf Gas


Wood Sports equipment Gas Shelf Longboard


Wood Floor Flooring Gas Door




#4 over and out
 

Attachments

#16 ·
Wheel making jig number 3 Just some extras

I put together some extra tee nuts and bolts on an all threat to better show how it all works together, I'm sure there's a better way but it gets it done for me.

Wood Plumbing fixture Gas Machine Machine tool


Wood Gas Machine Machine tool Auto part


Wood Line Electrical wiring Gas Hardwood


And here's what it looks like if you not in the need for the height adjustment.


Wood Sports equipment Gas Shelf Longboard


Wood Floor Flooring Gas Door


Wood Art Flooring Door Metal


#4 over and out
Wow what happened to the wheel? Will your plan work. I am building one and need to know if I should keep going or find another plan.
 

Attachments

#18 ·
Wheel making jig Setting it up

A helper post for the tread making jig.

Here is the jig in straight mod but I need angle tire treads so!


Take out the two screws holding the base down, then pull up and turn the frame for angled mod, using the dowels to line everything up, them screw it down so everything stays in place.
Wood Gas Machine Hardwood Audio equipment


I cut off the corner so the fence could get in closer.
Wood Hardwood Rectangle Wood stain Shelving


I added a stop block at the back of the table saw so i wouldn't have to think about stopping ,just hit the stop and on we go.
Wood Flooring Hardwood Wood stain Composite material


Wood Floor Rectangle Flooring Wood stain


Then we add a screw near the front of the fence for the other stopping point.
Wood Wood stain Floor Plank Hardwood

Then clamp a board to the fence so the jig will stop just past cutting the groove.
Smoothing plane Wood Plane Automotive exterior Table

Now it will be stopped both at the front and back swing.

Wood Gas Hardwood Plywood Audio equipment


Here are the two types of nobs I use to hold the wheel blanks in place.
The black needs to be screwed all the way the other is way cool and will slip on till it hits the wheel blank then grip the threads. [Thanks Ducky for turning me on to these.] {I think their a ROCKLER part}

Wood Table Gas Hardwood Wood stain


Now get an idea where the blade will hit the tire and get it close, but you can fine tune it by making your first cut and raise the blade as needed till you get it right.
Table Wood Hand tool Tool Scratch awl


Now add a blank, [one at a time in angled mod] I needed to add a spacer at the back so the blade wouldn't eat up the nob as it came around.

Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood Gas


Now add the spacer block at the back to help hold the rod in place, just a quick clamp for this.
Be sure the all thread is level.
Wood Floor Flooring Composite material Hardwood

Wood Gas Hardwood Plywood Wood stain


The wheel is done.
And you can see why the backer board gets all chewed up.

These tire are for my Bob Cat and the jig has 36 holes on the indicator, as the wheels are so small and I wanted a different look, so just used every other hole to add more space and less tread.
[Most Toys and Joys trucks and the like use the 36 tread grooves.]

Wood Valve Gas Plumbing valve Tradesman

Automotive tire Gas Wood Auto part Machine


Then after you make the right side treads you need to make the lefts, so switch the jig on the base and you'll need to make some adjustments to the stop blocks.
Wood Gas Roof Engineering Machine


Wood Gas Automotive exterior Engineering Bumper


Your table saw is probable different so you'll need to figure out what will work for you.
I would guess you could do it with out the stop blocks but you'll be making many , many cuts so it safer and just easier to use the blocks to me, turns it in to a no brainier for the cuts.

I hope this is helpful and clears up some questions you may have had.
 

Attachments

#19 ·
Wheel making jig Setting it up

A helper post for the tread making jig.

Here is the jig in straight mod but I need angle tire treads so!
Wood Rectangle Hardwood Composite material Flooring


Take out the two screws holding the base down, then pull up and turn the frame for angled mod, using the dowels to line everything up, them screw it down so everything stays in place.
Wood Gas Machine Hardwood Audio equipment


I cut off the corner so the fence could get in closer.
Wood Hardwood Rectangle Wood stain Shelving


I added a stop block at the back of the table saw so i wouldn't have to think about stopping ,just hit the stop and on we go.
Wood Flooring Hardwood Wood stain Composite material


Wood Floor Rectangle Flooring Wood stain


Then we add a screw near the front of the fence for the other stopping point.
Wood Wood stain Floor Plank Hardwood

Then clamp a board to the fence so the jig will stop just past cutting the groove.
Smoothing plane Wood Plane Automotive exterior Table

Now it will be stopped both at the front and back swing.

Wood Gas Hardwood Plywood Audio equipment


Here are the two types of nobs I use to hold the wheel blanks in place.
The black needs to be screwed all the way the other is way cool and will slip on till it hits the wheel blank then grip the threads. [Thanks Ducky for turning me on to these.] {I think their a ROCKLER part}

Wood Table Gas Hardwood Wood stain


Now get an idea where the blade will hit the tire and get it close, but you can fine tune it by making your first cut and raise the blade as needed till you get it right.


Now add a blank, [one at a time in angled mod] I needed to add a spacer at the back so the blade wouldn't eat up the nob as it came around.

Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood Gas


Now add the spacer block at the back to help hold the rod in place, just a quick clamp for this.
Be sure the all thread is level.
Wood Floor Flooring Composite material Hardwood

Wood Gas Hardwood Plywood Wood stain


The wheel is done.
And you can see why the backer board gets all chewed up.

These tire are for my Bob Cat and the jig has 36 holes on the indicator, as the wheels are so small and I wanted a different look, so just used every other hole to add more space and less tread.
[Most Toys and Joys trucks and the like use the 36 tread grooves.]

Wood Valve Gas Plumbing valve Tradesman

Automotive tire Gas Wood Auto part Machine


Then after you make the right side treads you need to make the lefts, so switch the jig on the base and you'll need to make some adjustments to the stop blocks.
Wood Gas Roof Engineering Machine


Wood Gas Automotive exterior Engineering Bumper


Your table saw is probable different so you'll need to figure out what will work for you.
I would guess you could do it with out the stop blocks but you'll be making many , many cuts so it safer and just easier to use the blocks to me, turns it in to a no brainier for the cuts.

I hope this is helpful and clears up some questions you may have had.
Thank you Bruce
 

Attachments

#24 ·
Cutting out the wheel blanks.

There's a hundred ways to cut out the blanks for the wheels but here's my method.

It is best to use oak, walnut, and maple is out standing, you need a strong grain so it doesn't chip.
Cutting the treads a little deeper than you need will give you space to sand out any chips, make the wheels a little bigger than needed for this reason also.

My wheels need to be 2 1/2" so I ripped down some lumber a little wider than needed.

Wood Composite material Gas Hardwood Flooring


Then at the table saw cut them to thickness, I do it in two step as I don't like ripping it at full with.
Then over to the plainer to clean it up.
Wood Rectangle Floor Composite material Flooring


Now draw a line down the center and with a Pencil Compass draw out the wheels a little big, then over to the drill press and drill out the centers.
Pliers Finger Wood Electrical wiring Office supplies


Wood Milling Drill Drilling Tool


Then over to the band saw to cut them out but again no need to get it close as the drum sander jig will clean up the edges and get them just right.
Wood Flooring Floor Composite material Hardwood

Tire Automotive tire Tread Wood Synthetic rubber


Automotive tire Wood Bumper Motor vehicle Tread


Table Wood Wood stain Hardwood Desk

Then a light sanding and off to the tread making jig.
I needed 12 straight cut tread and could do them all at one time a real time saver.
Wood Gas Facade Building Composite material


The wheels as you can see need some sanding then they'll be ready to glue up, then sand sand sand.
Automotive tire Wood Flooring Table Floor


When I glue the treads up I use a 1/4" dowel to keep the centers inline and just glue up one part at a time so all stays lined up.
That's tomorrows job so no pictures sorry.
 

Attachments

#25 ·
Cutting out the wheel blanks.

There's a hundred ways to cut out the blanks for the wheels but here's my method.

It is best to use oak, walnut, and maple is out standing, you need a strong grain so it doesn't chip.
Cutting the treads a little deeper than you need will give you space to sand out any chips, make the wheels a little bigger than needed for this reason also.

My wheels need to be 2 1/2" so I ripped down some lumber a little wider than needed.

Wood Composite material Gas Hardwood Flooring


Then at the table saw cut them to thickness, I do it in two step as I don't like ripping it at full with.
Then over to the plainer to clean it up.
Wood Rectangle Floor Composite material Flooring


Now draw a line down the center and with a Pencil Compass draw out the wheels a little big, then over to the drill press and drill out the centers.
Pliers Finger Wood Electrical wiring Office supplies


Wood Milling Drill Drilling Tool


Then over to the band saw to cut them out but again no need to get it close as the drum sander jig will clean up the edges and get them just right.
Wood Flooring Floor Composite material Hardwood

Tire Automotive tire Tread Wood Synthetic rubber


Automotive tire Wood Bumper Motor vehicle Tread


Table Wood Wood stain Hardwood Desk

Then a light sanding and off to the tread making jig.
I needed 12 straight cut tread and could do them all at one time a real time saver.
Wood Gas Facade Building Composite material


The wheels as you can see need some sanding then they'll be ready to glue up, then sand sand sand.
Automotive tire Wood Flooring Table Floor


When I glue the treads up I use a 1/4" dowel to keep the centers inline and just glue up one part at a time so all stays lined up.
That's tomorrows job so no pictures sorry.
Very nicely done.
 

Attachments

#36 ·
Wheel Making Part One Rim Making Jig for my Wheels.

It seems I need to add some info to my Rim making jig as I took pictures but really never spelled it out step by step. so!

First of all this is what we're after.
Wheel Tire Motor vehicle Automotive tire Tread


Wheel Tire Vehicle Toy Automotive tire


Now how do we get to this point.
I like to use bought wheels for my rims as they are made of maple and can be shaped quite nicely, maybe that's why the wheel makers use it, plus they already have a nice shape and at Hobby Lobby their pretty cheap for the 1" & 1 1/2" wheels.

1. We need a base, I have tons of 3/4" ply so that's what I use.
Wood Gas Engineering Machine Metal

Notice that the plywood is next to the fence,always keep it next to the fence, Find center and drill a 1/4 hole but not quite all the way through.

2. Now glue a 1/4" dowel in the hole, it needs to be long enough to be glued to the base go up through the indexer and hold the rim blank.. Your base is now ready.
3. You need to make some type of indexer I have blogged about them and there are many videos out there.
Wood Table Hardwood Flooring Wood stain


Once you've marked your indexer on some plywood drill out the center hole 1/4" and place on the base over the dowel. As in the picture.
4. Now you need to slide the base over so you can drill the holes for the indexing pin to be set.
[this is the small bolt with the fender washer in the picture.]
5. Clamp the base down next to the fence once you find your indexing distance..
6. You can now turn the indexer and drill the holes at the 5 places needed. [I drilled 10]
You will now be able to turn the indexer to any of the drilled spots.

+++ if you'll notice I'm making a 5 hole rim so need 5 index points BUT I also want some lug bolt holes to go between them so need to have a ten point indexer to get the job done.+++
Wood Gas Hardwood Wood stain Flooring


7. Now you need to place one of you rim blanks on the jig unclamp the base and find where you think the spoke holes will look the best, then clamp the base back down at this point and be sure the base is up to the fence, always use the fence for you guide.
You may not need it but if some thing changes you have some thing to go by.
8. You now need to drill a hole using one of the index holes as a guide so you can put the index pin in to hold the indexer in place [Use a hand held drill for this] This will go almost through the base plywood.
You should now be able to turn the indexer to the 10 different points needed, slide in the pin and it will hold the spot to be drilled.
9. Use a 3/8 drill bit for you rim drilling bit. [You can use a different size bit but I have other uses for the hole that you'll hear about later.]
It really doesn't matter where you start drilling. I do like starting all my hole at the same index point, so mark it., and remember we will be using every other hole for the rims and then switch when we want to do the lug nuts.
+++The base will have to be changed [slid over] for the lug nut holes as you need it in closer to the center of the tire,

Make sure you drill the first rim hole almost through the indexer plywood as you will need to put a 3/8 dowel to hold the rim in place for the rest of the holes.

Now place the dowel to keep every thing in line and work your way around..
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Circle

Wood Milling Tool Flooring Gas


Wood Flooring Hardwood Wood stain Table


Wood Flooring Hardwood Wood stain Table

Wood Gas Automotive wheel system Circle Rim


Wood Circle Gas Flooring Hardwood


Wood Circle Metal Machine Tool


There you go a nice rim that can be sanded down to fit in your tire.

Wood Tool Circle Jewellery Auto part


Wood Table Engineering Scale model Finger food


Once the jig is made you can make tons a rims in minutes with out ever having to mark any thing again.
Be sure to keep a few extra rims around, that way when you get ready to make a set a rims next time just set the base on the drill table put in one of the extras and its a snap to line everything up.

10. Now if you really want to get fancy you can shape the rim holes with a router bit with a 3/8 guide bearing [This is why I use the 3/8" bit so a 3/8" router bearing will fit in the hole.]
+++Some times I need to drill the holes out a little so the bearing will go in easier.
You need to be extra careful doing this so use a toggle clamp or some other hold down to be SAFE.

Wood Drilling Gas Milling Engineering


Wood Flooring Floor Gas Art


Furniture Wood Flooring Tablecloth Circle


Wood Flooring Floor Drilling Barware


Wood Gas Jig grinder Milling Machine tool


Be sure to use a hold down, the bearing does most of the work of guiding but BE SAFE OR IT AIN'T WORTH DOING.

This is NOT MY $.02 BUT A MUST!!!!!*

#4 Over and Out

Go to Part Two
 

Attachments

#37 ·
Wheel Making Part One Rim Making Jig for my Wheels.

It seems I need to add some info to my Rim making jig as I took pictures but really never spelled it out step by step. so!

First of all this is what we're after.
Wheel Tire Motor vehicle Automotive tire Tread


Wheel Tire Vehicle Toy Automotive tire


Now how do we get to this point.
I like to use bought wheels for my rims as they are made of maple and can be shaped quite nicely, maybe that's why the wheel makers use it, plus they already have a nice shape and at Hobby Lobby their pretty cheap for the 1" & 1 1/2" wheels.

1. We need a base, I have tons of 3/4" ply so that's what I use.
Wood Gas Engineering Machine Metal

Notice that the plywood is next to the fence,always keep it next to the fence, Find center and drill a 1/4 hole but not quite all the way through.

2. Now glue a 1/4" dowel in the hole, it needs to be long enough to be glued to the base go up through the indexer and hold the rim blank.. Your base is now ready.
3. You need to make some type of indexer I have blogged about them and there are many videos out there.
Wood Table Hardwood Flooring Wood stain


Once you've marked your indexer on some plywood drill out the center hole 1/4" and place on the base over the dowel. As in the picture.
4. Now you need to slide the base over so you can drill the holes for the indexing pin to be set.
[this is the small bolt with the fender washer in the picture.]
5. Clamp the base down next to the fence once you find your indexing distance..
6. You can now turn the indexer and drill the holes at the 5 places needed. [I drilled 10]
You will now be able to turn the indexer to any of the drilled spots.

+++ if you'll notice I'm making a 5 hole rim so need 5 index points BUT I also want some lug bolt holes to go between them so need to have a ten point indexer to get the job done.+++
Wood Gas Hardwood Wood stain Flooring


7. Now you need to place one of you rim blanks on the jig unclamp the base and find where you think the spoke holes will look the best, then clamp the base back down at this point and be sure the base is up to the fence, always use the fence for you guide.
You may not need it but if some thing changes you have some thing to go by.
8. You now need to drill a hole using one of the index holes as a guide so you can put the index pin in to hold the indexer in place [Use a hand held drill for this] This will go almost through the base plywood.
You should now be able to turn the indexer to the 10 different points needed, slide in the pin and it will hold the spot to be drilled.
9. Use a 3/8 drill bit for you rim drilling bit. [You can use a different size bit but I have other uses for the hole that you'll hear about later.]
It really doesn't matter where you start drilling. I do like starting all my hole at the same index point, so mark it., and remember we will be using every other hole for the rims and then switch when we want to do the lug nuts.
+++The base will have to be changed [slid over] for the lug nut holes as you need it in closer to the center of the tire,

Make sure you drill the first rim hole almost through the indexer plywood as you will need to put a 3/8 dowel to hold the rim in place for the rest of the holes.

Now place the dowel to keep every thing in line and work your way around..
Wood Wood stain Hardwood Flooring Circle

Wood Milling Tool Flooring Gas


Wood Flooring Hardwood Wood stain Table


Wood Flooring Hardwood Wood stain Table

Wood Gas Automotive wheel system Circle Rim


Wood Circle Gas Flooring Hardwood


Wood Circle Metal Machine Tool


There you go a nice rim that can be sanded down to fit in your tire.

Wood Tool Circle Jewellery Auto part


Wood Table Engineering Scale model Finger food


Once the jig is made you can make tons a rims in minutes with out ever having to mark any thing again.
Be sure to keep a few extra rims around, that way when you get ready to make a set a rims next time just set the base on the drill table put in one of the extras and its a snap to line everything up.

10. Now if you really want to get fancy you can shape the rim holes with a router bit with a 3/8 guide bearing [This is why I use the 3/8" bit so a 3/8" router bearing will fit in the hole.]
+++Some times I need to drill the holes out a little so the bearing will go in easier.
You need to be extra careful doing this so use a toggle clamp or some other hold down to be SAFE.

Wood Drilling Gas Milling Engineering


Wood Flooring Floor Gas Art


Furniture Wood Flooring Tablecloth Circle


Wood Flooring Floor Drilling Barware


Wood Gas Jig grinder Milling Machine tool


Be sure to use a hold down, the bearing does most of the work of guiding but BE SAFE OR IT AIN'T WORTH DOING.

This is NOT MY $.02 BUT A MUST!!!!!*

#4 Over and Out

Go to Part Two
Thanks for the clear blog on wheel making.
 

Attachments

#45 ·
Wheel making Part Two Step by Step With a Simple Jig

A quick wheel making how2 using pictures from some of my blog posts.
This is a very simple tread pattern that will look great but doesn't take three weeks to make.
Once you have the jig made and the steps figured out for your tools you can make these wheels in hours not days fast and safe!!

I have added extra ideas to the end so don't miss them.

Haven't been able to get in the shop lately so thought I would play around with making a wheels making How2.
This is for those that just need a few wheels but want something just that little bit nicer.
Once you get it figured out and the jig made, this is a very simple easy and fast way to add that little extra to your models.

Please remember as you read through this, we're making the wheels pictured at the start and not the split tread wheels which take a lot more work, but once you master this jig your on your way to some interesting wheels.

*
Here's what we're aiming for.

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Light Synthetic rubber


So first prepare some blanks.
Cut these wider than needed.
Wood Composite material Hardwood Gas Flooring


We're going to be making 3/4" wheels but some pictures will show thinner. [keep this in mind]
Wood Rectangle Floor Composite material Flooring

Now's a good time to plain and or sand.

Draw a line down the center and draw out the wheel blanks, make bigger than needed so you can sand them to size later.

Pliers Finger Electrical wiring Wood Office supplies


Drill out the centers with a 1/4" bit or what matches your hole saw's drill bit.

Wood Milling Drill Drilling Tool


Now cut out the wheel blanks but they don't need to be close because we're going to use the disk sander to get then just right, the disk sander will make sure the wheels are right with the axle holes.

Wood Flooring Floor Composite material Gas


Extra pictures.

Hand tool Wood Kitchen utensil Tableware Tool


Table Wood Rectangle Flooring Wood stain


Now we have our wheel blanks, lets put them on the disk sander wheel jig.
There's many how to's for making them, Ducky has a great one but mine works with the Shop Smith.
Tire Automotive tire Tread Wood Synthetic rubber


Automotive tire Wood Bumper Motor vehicle Tread


Table Wood Wood stain Hardwood Desk


Wood Hat Motor vehicle Gas Hardwood


Now we have our blanks made it's time to make some treads.
Automotive tire Table Wood Flooring Floor


These are picture of when I made my Hummer wheels, so some picture will show making the angled cuts but just look at them for the placement of parts.

The toys and joys wheels use 36 treads for most truck wheels, so you need a paper pattern to glue on your wheel blanks so you'll know where to cut each tread. Sounds like fun doesn't it!!!

Ryobi makes a great drill set at Home Depot.

Wood Office ruler Tool Ruler Automotive tire


You could now mount the blanks to the tread cutting jig that I will be showing you and cut using these 36 marks on the paper glued to the blanks. Lining them up with a mark on the top of the jig fence. Holding the blank in place as you go around and line up and cut each mark. This is how Toys and Joys shows you how to do in their plans.
But my eye sight isn't that good and I don't like holding the wood in place for every cut so I made a jig for this.
You could stop here and just use the jig and get some nice wheels but the jig with an indexer and clamp make the wheel cutting more consistent and safer to me. When you're cutting out for four wheels fine but the semi and trailer needs 18 to 22 so the jig will save your nerves and be safer. lol
Just my $.02

If you have made a sliding table for your saw you can just add the jig to it.
As you can see in the pictures below it all works with that board bolted to the miter gauge, so just screw or bolt the jig to your sled as it will do the same thing as most miter gauges which are junk.

At the time I followed the directions from T&Y's for the jig using my miter gauge, so that's what picture I have.

This is what we are going to be making.
Automotive tire Wood Road surface Gas Flooring


Remember you could just stick a bolt through the board, bolt it down and using a knob to hold the blank.

I love making jigs and knew I would be making lots a wheels so wanted something better faster safer.

It surprises me now how many models I made wheels for with this jig.

If I knew what I know now I would have got on Ebay and bought a small indexer plate of $15-20.
Automotive wheel system Circle Rim Machine Metal


This is what I use now to make my indexers, they come with different number a holes but we want one with 36.

You could make your own and it will work just fine but I have found as my wheels get more complicated I need the indexer to be spot on.
You won't need this at this time just putting ideas in your head for later. LOL

So not knowing about indexers at the time I made one using the table saw and my sled.

Wood Gas Engineering Rim Hardwood


First we need a wood base bolted to the miter Gauge that will hang over the saw blade slat and slid on the table.
Next find the center of the blade by running this board through the saw, now we know where to drill a hole for the axle bolt. We're making this for just one size wheel but you could make it adjustable but here we're after the basics. Truck tires for the T&J are usually 2 7/8 or there about, so half of that would be close to where we would want to drill our hole for the bolt.
By raising and lowering the blade you can cut different size wheels.

The longer the all thread the more blanks you can cut at one time but if it hangs out to far you'll need to add a board to keep the bolt from sagging and moving about, that's when the fancier jigs come into play.

OK! Keeping it simple, see where the aluminum comes through the base, that's the center of the wheel and marks where the blade will cut through the blank, by using the paper pattern glued to the blanks you can line up the blank to the base mark and make all your cuts. EASY!! RIGHT!!!

If you were to hold it, it can slip or like me I have trouble seeing the mark to get it just right.
But for now keeping it simple. Which is very hard for me, I want to soap it up, Stop #4 just stop it!!!

Tire Automotive tire Wood Hood Bumper


So we have the base bolted to the miter gauge.
A hole for the bolt to go throw, now lets make the way so the wheels won't move while cutting.

Take one of your extra wheel blanks, [you are making extras arn't you???] with the 1/4 holes in the center, we want some all thread to go through both sides and we will bolt it to the blank.
The nuts that lock the all thread to the blank need to be flush so we can bolt the wheels up to the blank and the blank can be tightened up to the base board.

Wood Font Gas Machine Motor vehicle


Once the all thread is bolted to the blank your all set to add a wheel or wheels and lock them down.
Automotive tire Wood Hardwood Mechanical fan Automotive wheel system


The picture above I was making treads for the Hummer a much bigger wheel.
The picture below I'm making treads for my semi which has much smaller wheels so had to raise the blade way up.
This is where you need the extra wood behind the jig to cover the blade as it comes through the jig.
We are making our jig for the truck wheels to start with so the raised blade will not be a problem at this time.

Plant Wood Art Natural material Hardwood


Now you can slide the other end of the all thread through the base and add a knob so you can lock it down.

Wood Rim Hardwood Wood stain Gear


Tire Automotive tire Wood Hood Bumper


With the wheel blanks locked to the all thread you can now turn the whole thing on the base and lock it down at the different points to cut your treads.
It would be a good idea to add some wood at the back of the jig where the blade will be coming through just to be safe, the blade won't be up very high but I just don't like it.
You'll be cutting tons a treads, 36 per blank so can get monotonous after a while so cover that blade.

This is one of the reasons I came up with the wheel jig down the road.

The straight treads can be cut many at a time but the angled ones should be cut one at a time and you will need to change the angle for left and right treads.

Here is the blog where I made my first indexer using the table saw.
http://lumberjocks.com/htl/blog/88290

The blog where I cut all the blanks.
http://lumberjocks.com/htl/blog/127857

Another wheel making blog where some of the pictures came from.
http://lumberjocks.com/htl/blog/92618

A quick look at the newer jig.
http://lumberjocks.com/htl/blog/125801

Making the new jig.
http://lumberjocks.com/htl/blog/127169

I hope this makes sense as it's hard to make a blog for something you used 4 years ago and there's so many things that could be added.
I need to get this posted before something goes wrong but will be up dating it as the day goes on.

I keep thinking of other things to add and this is the place.*

+++This blog will need to be read many times before it starts making any sense,and as you get started just do the first steps get that done then on to the next, if you try to see it all at one time it can look over whelming but step by step and you'll get er done and all will be clear.+++

++++ The more I think about this project I come up with ways to make them even faster and easier. If $$$ isn't a problem you could buy 2 3/4 store bought wheels and just add tread to them. I did this on one of my Bod Cats and had a cool looking 1 1/2 tractor tread really quickly.

Wood Automotive tire Natural material Spiral Ammonoidea


The BUT to this is the big store bought wheels use a 3/8 hole so you will need to change a few things but one advantage is that 3/8 all thread is much stiffer so your jig will be stronger in the long run. I have been thinking of switching to 3/8 for my jigs for this reason.

One more thing.
When making something to hold your tires between tread cuts.
Be careful using quick change mechanisms that might slip or be sloppy, we're working with wood so things can and will be loss.
One thing I found out with my finger joint jig was if you would put pressure to the right as you cut parts and the fingers were to tight, the next one I did I would put pressure to the right make a cut and then put pressure to the left and make a cut and all would be well. In other words theirs play, may be just 1/32 or so but with 36 treads per tire it can make a difference.
So what I'm trying to say is always keep the same pressure on all cuts it doesn't matter if you hold it to the right or left just do it the same every time or some teeth will be wider than others and you will be wondering why.

One more area I need to add is the saw blade and I've been using the Dewalt 7 1/4" Thin Kerf blades for this thanks for reminding me stefang.

Home Depot doesn't seem to be selling the blade I was using any more but their
40 Dewalt looks interesting.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-FLEXVOLT-7-1-4-in-60-Teeth-Carbide-Tipped-Circular-Saw-Blade-DWAFV3760/207202127

If and when you get one keep it for your tread cutting chores as once you start using them you'll not want to use any thing else on a small Dewalt style table saw.
They are super sharp and that's what we want but we need to keep it that way, helps keep the chipping to a minimum.
If you do like using the smaller blades be sure you're using the right blade for the job.
40 and 60 tooth for cross cutting and 24 and the like for every thing else.
For long rips stick with the 10" blades and I was surprised at how good the blade that came with the saw was for this.

How about one more? LOL
If you cut your treads a little deep when you start sanding and have chips they can be sanded out on the disk sander, then on to the drill press to hand sand and round the edges for a real tire look.

Closer grained wood works much better for these treads as they can stand the cutting and shaping better.
Oak walnut cherry these all so can be blackened much better with the home made steel wool and vinegar stains.

There's one more area I need to talk about but I'll make a new blog for that.

So this is for a fast safe nice looking wheel for our models.

Go to Part Three


#4 over and out.
 

Attachments

#46 ·
Wheel making Part Two Step by Step With a Simple Jig

A quick wheel making how2 using pictures from some of my blog posts.
This is a very simple tread pattern that will look great but doesn't take three weeks to make.
Once you have the jig made and the steps figured out for your tools you can make these wheels in hours not days fast and safe!!

I have added extra ideas to the end so don't miss them.

Haven't been able to get in the shop lately so thought I would play around with making a wheels making How2.
This is for those that just need a few wheels but want something just that little bit nicer.
Once you get it figured out and the jig made, this is a very simple easy and fast way to add that little extra to your models.

Please remember as you read through this, we're making the wheels pictured at the start and not the split tread wheels which take a lot more work, but once you master this jig your on your way to some interesting wheels.

*
Here's what we're aiming for.

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Light Synthetic rubber


So first prepare some blanks.
Cut these wider than needed.
Wood Composite material Hardwood Gas Flooring


We're going to be making 3/4" wheels but some pictures will show thinner. [keep this in mind]
Wood Rectangle Floor Composite material Flooring

Now's a good time to plain and or sand.

Draw a line down the center and draw out the wheel blanks, make bigger than needed so you can sand them to size later.

Pliers Finger Electrical wiring Wood Office supplies


Drill out the centers with a 1/4" bit or what matches your hole saw's drill bit.

Wood Milling Drill Drilling Tool


Now cut out the wheel blanks but they don't need to be close because we're going to use the disk sander to get then just right, the disk sander will make sure the wheels are right with the axle holes.

Wood Flooring Floor Composite material Gas


Extra pictures.

Hand tool Wood Kitchen utensil Tableware Tool


Table Wood Rectangle Flooring Wood stain


Now we have our wheel blanks, lets put them on the disk sander wheel jig.
There's many how to's for making them, Ducky has a great one but mine works with the Shop Smith.
Tire Automotive tire Tread Wood Synthetic rubber


Automotive tire Wood Bumper Motor vehicle Tread


Table Wood Wood stain Hardwood Desk


Wood Hat Motor vehicle Gas Hardwood


Now we have our blanks made it's time to make some treads.
Automotive tire Table Wood Flooring Floor


These are picture of when I made my Hummer wheels, so some picture will show making the angled cuts but just look at them for the placement of parts.

The toys and joys wheels use 36 treads for most truck wheels, so you need a paper pattern to glue on your wheel blanks so you'll know where to cut each tread. Sounds like fun doesn't it!!!

Ryobi makes a great drill set at Home Depot.

Wood Office ruler Tool Ruler Automotive tire


You could now mount the blanks to the tread cutting jig that I will be showing you and cut using these 36 marks on the paper glued to the blanks. Lining them up with a mark on the top of the jig fence. Holding the blank in place as you go around and line up and cut each mark. This is how Toys and Joys shows you how to do in their plans.
But my eye sight isn't that good and I don't like holding the wood in place for every cut so I made a jig for this.
You could stop here and just use the jig and get some nice wheels but the jig with an indexer and clamp make the wheel cutting more consistent and safer to me. When you're cutting out for four wheels fine but the semi and trailer needs 18 to 22 so the jig will save your nerves and be safer. lol
Just my $.02

If you have made a sliding table for your saw you can just add the jig to it.
As you can see in the pictures below it all works with that board bolted to the miter gauge, so just screw or bolt the jig to your sled as it will do the same thing as most miter gauges which are junk.

At the time I followed the directions from T&Y's for the jig using my miter gauge, so that's what picture I have.

This is what we are going to be making.
Automotive tire Wood Road surface Gas Flooring


Remember you could just stick a bolt through the board, bolt it down and using a knob to hold the blank.

I love making jigs and knew I would be making lots a wheels so wanted something better faster safer.

It surprises me now how many models I made wheels for with this jig.

If I knew what I know now I would have got on Ebay and bought a small indexer plate of $15-20.
Automotive wheel system Circle Rim Machine Metal


This is what I use now to make my indexers, they come with different number a holes but we want one with 36.

You could make your own and it will work just fine but I have found as my wheels get more complicated I need the indexer to be spot on.
You won't need this at this time just putting ideas in your head for later. LOL

So not knowing about indexers at the time I made one using the table saw and my sled.

Wood Gas Engineering Rim Hardwood


First we need a wood base bolted to the miter Gauge that will hang over the saw blade slat and slid on the table.
Next find the center of the blade by running this board through the saw, now we know where to drill a hole for the axle bolt. We're making this for just one size wheel but you could make it adjustable but here we're after the basics. Truck tires for the T&J are usually 2 7/8 or there about, so half of that would be close to where we would want to drill our hole for the bolt.
By raising and lowering the blade you can cut different size wheels.

The longer the all thread the more blanks you can cut at one time but if it hangs out to far you'll need to add a board to keep the bolt from sagging and moving about, that's when the fancier jigs come into play.

OK! Keeping it simple, see where the aluminum comes through the base, that's the center of the wheel and marks where the blade will cut through the blank, by using the paper pattern glued to the blanks you can line up the blank to the base mark and make all your cuts. EASY!! RIGHT!!!

If you were to hold it, it can slip or like me I have trouble seeing the mark to get it just right.
But for now keeping it simple. Which is very hard for me, I want to soap it up, Stop #4 just stop it!!!

Tire Automotive tire Wood Hood Bumper


So we have the base bolted to the miter gauge.
A hole for the bolt to go throw, now lets make the way so the wheels won't move while cutting.

Take one of your extra wheel blanks, [you are making extras arn't you???] with the 1/4 holes in the center, we want some all thread to go through both sides and we will bolt it to the blank.
The nuts that lock the all thread to the blank need to be flush so we can bolt the wheels up to the blank and the blank can be tightened up to the base board.

Wood Font Gas Machine Motor vehicle


Once the all thread is bolted to the blank your all set to add a wheel or wheels and lock them down.
Automotive tire Wood Hardwood Mechanical fan Automotive wheel system


The picture above I was making treads for the Hummer a much bigger wheel.
The picture below I'm making treads for my semi which has much smaller wheels so had to raise the blade way up.
This is where you need the extra wood behind the jig to cover the blade as it comes through the jig.
We are making our jig for the truck wheels to start with so the raised blade will not be a problem at this time.

Plant Wood Art Natural material Hardwood


Now you can slide the other end of the all thread through the base and add a knob so you can lock it down.

Wood Rim Hardwood Wood stain Gear


Tire Automotive tire Wood Hood Bumper


With the wheel blanks locked to the all thread you can now turn the whole thing on the base and lock it down at the different points to cut your treads.
It would be a good idea to add some wood at the back of the jig where the blade will be coming through just to be safe, the blade won't be up very high but I just don't like it.
You'll be cutting tons a treads, 36 per blank so can get monotonous after a while so cover that blade.

This is one of the reasons I came up with the wheel jig down the road.

The straight treads can be cut many at a time but the angled ones should be cut one at a time and you will need to change the angle for left and right treads.

Here is the blog where I made my first indexer using the table saw.
http://lumberjocks.com/htl/blog/88290

The blog where I cut all the blanks.
http://lumberjocks.com/htl/blog/127857

Another wheel making blog where some of the pictures came from.
http://lumberjocks.com/htl/blog/92618

A quick look at the newer jig.
http://lumberjocks.com/htl/blog/125801

Making the new jig.
http://lumberjocks.com/htl/blog/127169

I hope this makes sense as it's hard to make a blog for something you used 4 years ago and there's so many things that could be added.
I need to get this posted before something goes wrong but will be up dating it as the day goes on.

I keep thinking of other things to add and this is the place.*

+++This blog will need to be read many times before it starts making any sense,and as you get started just do the first steps get that done then on to the next, if you try to see it all at one time it can look over whelming but step by step and you'll get er done and all will be clear.+++

++++ The more I think about this project I come up with ways to make them even faster and easier. If $$$ isn't a problem you could buy 2 3/4 store bought wheels and just add tread to them. I did this on one of my Bod Cats and had a cool looking 1 1/2 tractor tread really quickly.

Wood Automotive tire Natural material Spiral Ammonoidea


The BUT to this is the big store bought wheels use a 3/8 hole so you will need to change a few things but one advantage is that 3/8 all thread is much stiffer so your jig will be stronger in the long run. I have been thinking of switching to 3/8 for my jigs for this reason.

One more thing.
When making something to hold your tires between tread cuts.
Be careful using quick change mechanisms that might slip or be sloppy, we're working with wood so things can and will be loss.
One thing I found out with my finger joint jig was if you would put pressure to the right as you cut parts and the fingers were to tight, the next one I did I would put pressure to the right make a cut and then put pressure to the left and make a cut and all would be well. In other words theirs play, may be just 1/32 or so but with 36 treads per tire it can make a difference.
So what I'm trying to say is always keep the same pressure on all cuts it doesn't matter if you hold it to the right or left just do it the same every time or some teeth will be wider than others and you will be wondering why.

One more area I need to add is the saw blade and I've been using the Dewalt 7 1/4" Thin Kerf blades for this thanks for reminding me stefang.

Home Depot doesn't seem to be selling the blade I was using any more but their
40 Dewalt looks interesting.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-FLEXVOLT-7-1-4-in-60-Teeth-Carbide-Tipped-Circular-Saw-Blade-DWAFV3760/207202127

If and when you get one keep it for your tread cutting chores as once you start using them you'll not want to use any thing else on a small Dewalt style table saw.
They are super sharp and that's what we want but we need to keep it that way, helps keep the chipping to a minimum.
If you do like using the smaller blades be sure you're using the right blade for the job.
40 and 60 tooth for cross cutting and 24 and the like for every thing else.
For long rips stick with the 10" blades and I was surprised at how good the blade that came with the saw was for this.

How about one more? LOL
If you cut your treads a little deep when you start sanding and have chips they can be sanded out on the disk sander, then on to the drill press to hand sand and round the edges for a real tire look.

Closer grained wood works much better for these treads as they can stand the cutting and shaping better.
Oak walnut cherry these all so can be blackened much better with the home made steel wool and vinegar stains.

There's one more area I need to talk about but I'll make a new blog for that.

So this is for a fast safe nice looking wheel for our models.

Go to Part Three


#4 over and out.
Love to work with good jigs and it looks like you have an abundance of them, the weather will break soon and let the work begin.
 

Attachments

#66 ·
Wheel Making Part 3 Making the rim hole.

Part 3 of our wheel making project.

Having trouble finding the center of the wheel to drill the rim hole?
Here's the way I get er done.

Wood Tire Wheel Automotive tire Gas


Have a 3/4 plywood base clamped to the drill press table.
Now drill a 1/4" hole almost through the base and glue in a short wood dowel.
The wheel blanks you have made in another of these blogs will fit over the dowel and be centered.
You can now change the bit to a hole saw or Forstner bit and it will be center of the tire, do not drill all the way through at this time, need to save that dowel center.
A wood clamp works great for holding the tires, some sand paper on the base would help keep the tire from spinning.
Home Depot has a Ryobi Forstner bit set that is just right for our projects $20 or so, it's biggest bit is a 1 1/8" which works great for the center hole. They do have a bigger bit set but it's getting up there $$$

Doing it this way your tires can already be treaded.
Sorry no good pictures of this.

Product Wood Adhesive Electrical tape Automotive tire


If you leave this little bit a wood on the back of the wheel it can be used to drill out the axle hole after the rim is added.

We can now take the rims we made in part one of our wheel making blog and sand them down to fit in the 1 1/8" holes, just be sure you make you rims larger than the holes, need I say more. lol
Tire Hood Automotive tire Wheel Tread


If you were to add just a bit of and angle while sanding the centers they could be wedged in for a super tight fit I would think, as I've never needed to try this.
Automotive tire Tread Rim Tire Circle


Now we need the grooves for the tread going the other way.
I use the table saw again and have it set so the treads match up, this will be maybe 1/8 or so so not going to be cutting much wood are we?
I mark on the table saw fence where the center of the blade is then placing a wheel centered to this mark, I will now know where to clamp a stop block behind the wheel.

Wood Automotive tire Wood stain Gas Hardwood


Automotive tire Wood Bumper Automotive exterior Wood stain


Wood Floor Flooring Wood stain Hardwood


Tire Wheel Light Automotive tire Tread


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Wood


See those tooth picks for lug nuts, this is done with the jig in part one of our how2's, remember those extra jig holes we didn't use well there they are.

Hope this helps and maybe some can add even more help.

There's a hundred ways to get it done you just need to figure out which one will work for you and the tools at hand.
 

Attachments

#67 ·
Wheel Making Part 3 Making the rim hole.

Part 3 of our wheel making project.

Having trouble finding the center of the wheel to drill the rim hole?
Here's the way I get er done.

Wood Tire Wheel Automotive tire Gas


Have a 3/4 plywood base clamped to the drill press table.
Now drill a 1/4" hole almost through the base and glue in a short wood dowel.
The wheel blanks you have made in another of these blogs will fit over the dowel and be centered.
You can now change the bit to a hole saw or Forstner bit and it will be center of the tire, do not drill all the way through at this time, need to save that dowel center.
A wood clamp works great for holding the tires, some sand paper on the base would help keep the tire from spinning.
Home Depot has a Ryobi Forstner bit set that is just right for our projects $20 or so, it's biggest bit is a 1 1/8" which works great for the center hole. They do have a bigger bit set but it's getting up there $$$

Doing it this way your tires can already be treaded.
Sorry no good pictures of this.

Product Wood Adhesive Electrical tape Automotive tire


If you leave this little bit a wood on the back of the wheel it can be used to drill out the axle hole after the rim is added.

We can now take the rims we made in part one of our wheel making blog and sand them down to fit in the 1 1/8" holes, just be sure you make you rims larger than the holes, need I say more. lol
Tire Hood Automotive tire Wheel Tread


If you were to add just a bit of and angle while sanding the centers they could be wedged in for a super tight fit I would think, as I've never needed to try this.
Automotive tire Tread Rim Tire Circle


Now we need the grooves for the tread going the other way.
I use the table saw again and have it set so the treads match up, this will be maybe 1/8 or so so not going to be cutting much wood are we?
I mark on the table saw fence where the center of the blade is then placing a wheel centered to this mark, I will now know where to clamp a stop block behind the wheel.

Wood Automotive tire Wood stain Gas Hardwood


Automotive tire Wood Bumper Automotive exterior Wood stain


Wood Floor Flooring Wood stain Hardwood


Tire Wheel Light Automotive tire Tread


Tire Wheel Automotive tire Tread Wood


See those tooth picks for lug nuts, this is done with the jig in part one of our how2's, remember those extra jig holes we didn't use well there they are.

Hope this helps and maybe some can add even more help.

There's a hundred ways to get it done you just need to figure out which one will work for you and the tools at hand.
Great tutorial!
 

Attachments

#70 ·
Building a wheel indexer

Been thinking about building a new Low Boy Trailer and Semi so will be needing at least 22 tires and rims so thought I better make a better rim indexer, so here's what I came up with.

I got on the net looking for a 10 point indexer to print out and just didn't find one that fit the bill and then remembered one of Ducky's posts about Matthias Wandel's free Wooden gears program for making wooden gears

So went over there and played around till I got just the indexer I needed.
I ended up making both a 36 and 10 point indexers.
Here's a shot of the page with the settings I used to take out all the gear making stuff and ended up with just the indexer I needed.
I tried to make the picture bigger but LJ's wouldn't let it happen.
Font Parallel Slope Rectangle Circle

The biggest thing is setting the gear 1 teeth to what ever amount of teeth you need and the turning off all the other thing not needed.
I then zoomed it out to the size needed and used Windows 10 snipping tool to copy and print the screen.
Matthel's program can print it out but was to small, there's probable a way around this but just used the snippet program instead.

I now had the two indexers printed out so off to the shop to play with them.

I don't know why but I started out making the 36 point indexer, [even though I was needing the 10 point indexer] for my rims, but the info works for both???

1 I selected a nice flat 3/4 plywood for the base, want it wide enough to be able to clamp to sides of drill table.

2 lock down the fence so the plywood is center [center not critical but just like it better]

3 Drill a 1/4" hole where you will glue in a dowel to hold the indexer in place. [plywood is up against the fence and centered on the table.]

The dowel needs to be glued into the base and go through the indexer and be high enough to hold the wheel blank, so make it long you can cut it down later.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Table


4 Now we make up the indexer.
Glue your printed out indexer on some plywood and drill out the center with a 1/4" brad bit. [use a brad bit so you can be as accurate as possible with all your drilling]

Flooring Floor Art Wood Measuring instrument


Wood Flooring Font Rectangle Automotive wheel system

5 make an index pin now so you'll know what size to drill all the index holes. [ It can be seen in later pictures]

6 Now putting the indexer over the dowel, slide the base over till you are in line with the first index mark. Clamp the base down when you have it set just right and it's time to drill all the index points.
The indexer is now made.
Wood Compass Floor Flooring Tool

Table Wood Milling Machine tool Workbench


7 Now to drill out for the index pin hole so we can lock the indexer at each point when needed.
I will hand drill one of the points close to me so it's easy to find.
I also mark this point on the base to help find it while drilling.
As you can see in the picture I also mark one point as top and will always us it to start and stop my drilling.

Wood Floor Flooring Circle Hardwood

Wood Flooring Floor Circle Hardwood


Now at this time I don't need to go any farther with the 36 point indexer so will switch over to making a 5 point indexer for my mag rims.

Here's what I really need to be working for.
Wheel Tire Land vehicle Vehicle Automotive tire


The 5 spoke rim looks really nice on the cars and a six spoke rim with a bigger rim looks nice on the semi's, for this how 2 we'll make a 5 point rim jig.

So now back to jig making.
As you will see in the next picture we're using a 5 point indexer,
if I was really making one for tires a 10 point index would work much better as after I have the 5 spokes made I could go right back and drill out for lag bolts between and below the spokes, so keep this in mind for your jigs.
When making a index jig, drilling more index points than needed will take a little more time but can save tons of time down the road, that why the 36 point indexer was made but will not let me make 5 point rims but works great for 6 point rims I will need for the semi later on.
This 5 point jig is just for the how2.


OK back to work!!!

I'm using 1 1/2" store bought wheels in this how to but you will see some wood blanks used later on.
When I make my semi rims I will probable use 2" store bought wheels for my rims.
The 2" wheels have a larger center so works great for lug nuts.
Wheel Motor vehicle Automotive tire Vehicle Tire


8 Place a 1 1/2" wheel over the dowel on our 5 point indexer.
I will be using a 3/8 brad bit or fastener bit depending on how close to the edge of the tire the hole will be drilled.
Now we need to unclamp the base and slide it to where we want the drill to drill out for the spokes.
With the wheels I'm using I'll drill it just past the wood ring on the tire rim.
Once you've figured out what looks good make an extra rim so next time you need to figure it out just place you extra rim on the dowel and you got it.

Wood Table Floor Flooring Circle


9 Once you've found the right spot clamp the base back down and your set to start drilling holes.
Put the index pin in the top spot and drill you first hole, drill almost all the way through the 3/4 indexer plywood because your going to put a 3/8 dowel in this first hole to hold the wheel in place as you drill the other holes as you work your way around.
Wood Flooring Art Circle Engineering


Wood Flooring Floor Art Hardwood


Wood Table Flooring Circle Engineering


You may be thinking those are pretty ugly looking holes but remember they will be drum sanded down to fit in the tires so all the ugly will be gone.

You could stop here and have one nice looking rim but lets go one step farther and add a little shaping to the hole we've drilled.
Since I used a 3/8 drill bit for the spoke holes and a router can be fitted with a 3/8" bearing you have what you need to shape out the spoke centers.

This is a job that needs hold downs and clamps so think it through and be safe or don't do it.
This just shows it can be done but you have different tools to use so have to come up with the safest way to get it do.

Wood Floor Flooring Tower Gas


Table Milling Wood Machine tool Tool


Wood Art Metal Auto part Engineering


Now I'm making some rims out of wood blanks.
Wood Office supplies Hardwood Writing implement Metal


Here's our wheels all set up.
Wheel Tire Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber


Remember that if I had made the 10 point jig I could now go back and moving the indexer closer to center could drill out all the lag nuts with out marking anything and would be done with it in minutes.

For me building jigs is just as much fun as building the models, and when you have a ton a wheels to make jigs gets it done fast fun and safely.
 

Attachments

#71 ·
Building a wheel indexer

Been thinking about building a new Low Boy Trailer and Semi so will be needing at least 22 tires and rims so thought I better make a better rim indexer, so here's what I came up with.

I got on the net looking for a 10 point indexer to print out and just didn't find one that fit the bill and then remembered one of Ducky's posts about Matthias Wandel's free Wooden gears program for making wooden gears

So went over there and played around till I got just the indexer I needed.
I ended up making both a 36 and 10 point indexers.
Here's a shot of the page with the settings I used to take out all the gear making stuff and ended up with just the indexer I needed.
I tried to make the picture bigger but LJ's wouldn't let it happen.
Font Parallel Slope Rectangle Circle

The biggest thing is setting the gear 1 teeth to what ever amount of teeth you need and the turning off all the other thing not needed.
I then zoomed it out to the size needed and used Windows 10 snipping tool to copy and print the screen.
Matthel's program can print it out but was to small, there's probable a way around this but just used the snippet program instead.

I now had the two indexers printed out so off to the shop to play with them.

I don't know why but I started out making the 36 point indexer, [even though I was needing the 10 point indexer] for my rims, but the info works for both???

1 I selected a nice flat 3/4 plywood for the base, want it wide enough to be able to clamp to sides of drill table.

2 lock down the fence so the plywood is center [center not critical but just like it better]

3 Drill a 1/4" hole where you will glue in a dowel to hold the indexer in place. [plywood is up against the fence and centered on the table.]

The dowel needs to be glued into the base and go through the indexer and be high enough to hold the wheel blank, so make it long you can cut it down later.

Wood Rectangle Flooring Floor Table


4 Now we make up the indexer.
Glue your printed out indexer on some plywood and drill out the center with a 1/4" brad bit. [use a brad bit so you can be as accurate as possible with all your drilling]

Flooring Floor Art Wood Measuring instrument


Wood Flooring Font Rectangle Automotive wheel system

5 make an index pin now so you'll know what size to drill all the index holes. [ It can be seen in later pictures]

6 Now putting the indexer over the dowel, slide the base over till you are in line with the first index mark. Clamp the base down when you have it set just right and it's time to drill all the index points.
The indexer is now made.
Wood Compass Floor Flooring Tool

Table Wood Milling Machine tool Workbench


7 Now to drill out for the index pin hole so we can lock the indexer at each point when needed.
I will hand drill one of the points close to me so it's easy to find.
I also mark this point on the base to help find it while drilling.
As you can see in the picture I also mark one point as top and will always us it to start and stop my drilling.

Wood Floor Flooring Circle Hardwood

Wood Flooring Floor Circle Hardwood


Now at this time I don't need to go any farther with the 36 point indexer so will switch over to making a 5 point indexer for my mag rims.

Here's what I really need to be working for.
Wheel Tire Land vehicle Vehicle Automotive tire


The 5 spoke rim looks really nice on the cars and a six spoke rim with a bigger rim looks nice on the semi's, for this how 2 we'll make a 5 point rim jig.

So now back to jig making.
As you will see in the next picture we're using a 5 point indexer,
if I was really making one for tires a 10 point index would work much better as after I have the 5 spokes made I could go right back and drill out for lag bolts between and below the spokes, so keep this in mind for your jigs.
When making a index jig, drilling more index points than needed will take a little more time but can save tons of time down the road, that why the 36 point indexer was made but will not let me make 5 point rims but works great for 6 point rims I will need for the semi later on.
This 5 point jig is just for the how2.


OK back to work!!!

I'm using 1 1/2" store bought wheels in this how to but you will see some wood blanks used later on.
When I make my semi rims I will probable use 2" store bought wheels for my rims.
The 2" wheels have a larger center so works great for lug nuts.
Wheel Motor vehicle Automotive tire Vehicle Tire


8 Place a 1 1/2" wheel over the dowel on our 5 point indexer.
I will be using a 3/8 brad bit or fastener bit depending on how close to the edge of the tire the hole will be drilled.
Now we need to unclamp the base and slide it to where we want the drill to drill out for the spokes.
With the wheels I'm using I'll drill it just past the wood ring on the tire rim.
Once you've figured out what looks good make an extra rim so next time you need to figure it out just place you extra rim on the dowel and you got it.

Wood Table Floor Flooring Circle


9 Once you've found the right spot clamp the base back down and your set to start drilling holes.
Put the index pin in the top spot and drill you first hole, drill almost all the way through the 3/4 indexer plywood because your going to put a 3/8 dowel in this first hole to hold the wheel in place as you drill the other holes as you work your way around.
Wood Flooring Art Circle Engineering


Wood Flooring Floor Art Hardwood


Wood Table Flooring Circle Engineering


You may be thinking those are pretty ugly looking holes but remember they will be drum sanded down to fit in the tires so all the ugly will be gone.

You could stop here and have one nice looking rim but lets go one step farther and add a little shaping to the hole we've drilled.
Since I used a 3/8 drill bit for the spoke holes and a router can be fitted with a 3/8" bearing you have what you need to shape out the spoke centers.

This is a job that needs hold downs and clamps so think it through and be safe or don't do it.
This just shows it can be done but you have different tools to use so have to come up with the safest way to get it do.

Wood Floor Flooring Tower Gas


Table Milling Wood Machine tool Tool


Wood Art Metal Auto part Engineering


Now I'm making some rims out of wood blanks.
Wood Office supplies Hardwood Writing implement Metal


Here's our wheels all set up.
Wheel Tire Automotive tire Tread Synthetic rubber


Remember that if I had made the 10 point jig I could now go back and moving the indexer closer to center could drill out all the lag nuts with out marking anything and would be done with it in minutes.

For me building jigs is just as much fun as building the models, and when you have a ton a wheels to make jigs gets it done fast fun and safely.
Thank you heaps Bruce for a first class tutorial by a master craftsman.

Thank you for sharing your "know how", photos and notes to help so many others of us…
 

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