Easy homemade rims and tires.

by Battershell | May 11, 2013 | (61) Posted in Projects

Start by cutting a normal sized empty spool of thread in half. Size depends on the size of rim you need. There are a few different sizes on the market. 

I get foam from the bodyshop I work at. Lots of different kinds around but the kind I use is really ridgid. If interested look for the kind in Hood packaging the keeps the corners from getting bent. Otherwise use the foam you can find elswhere.. Here in the pic I used a large holesaw first then the smaller to cut out the rim.

 

Sand the rims to get glue to stick

Use a super de duper type of glue to get the foam to slide on and stick to the rim.

Wipe glue before it dries.

Find a bolt long enough to fit through rim and into a drillpress or hand drill. Make sure bolt is a snug fit width wise in rim!

Nut both sides of rim to make sure it does not spin on the new rim.

I use an air drill.

Start with 36 grit sand paper and then finer like 80 and then 180 grit to finish

Don't forget to round off the edges.

I then take a piece of thin plastic wrapped with 180 grit sand paper to make the ribs.

 

Before and after. Once you make the first take a micrometer measurment and you are ready to start sanding the next to size.

Finished set.

Up close.  These are very light. Maybe lighter than most factory wheels since spools are thin. Rims are paintable too.

 

Hope you liked the ideas.

 

COMMENTS

kenton on May 15, 2013
Wow these look really fantastic! Excellent creativity.
Log In to reply
Battershell on May 15, 2013
I have found that there are several types of foam knee cushions available on the market. Knee cushions for gardening are the cheapest and largest. Super soft ones are still good to use. Foam might not last as long but very easy to sand. Softer means that the finished product will not be as smooth though. Lowes, Menards, Home Depot all have them for sale and close to their doors for easy quick sale. Most are more than thick enough with no need to double the foam up. Also measurements show that you should be ale to get a few pairs out of a single knee cushion!
Log In to reply
Spydamonky on May 13, 2013
I must admit, as I was scrolling through I first thought. "I don't know why people would make these, they look so ugly" Then I got to the end, amazing! They look exactly like the foam wheels you buy from the hobby shop! Great work, keep it up
Log In to reply
blackfly on May 15, 2013
because they are!!!
Log In to reply
Battershell on May 13, 2013
Thank you very much. My goal sharing these ideas is parallel to the Flitetest theory. To make it much easier for anyone to get into the hobby. And to let them do it cheap, simple, hands on and most of all fun.
Log In to reply
planemad man on May 13, 2013
wow those look good

Log In to reply
Driveandairsmash on May 13, 2013
AWSOME now I got wheels for my ft cruiser!!! Thanks you saved me like 10$!!!!
Log In to reply
tramsgar on May 15, 2013
Very nice finish! I'd imagine having a harder time finding the spool than the foam... I would do this for the availability, custom size or the pleasure of creating, but not to save money =). Thanks!
Log In to reply
Eric Herman on May 15, 2013
very nice! Any idea of other sources for that foam?
Log In to reply
Eric Herman on May 15, 2013
I would like to use a similar foam for my pop can wheels to finish them off better
Log In to reply
Battershell on May 15, 2013
Check below for foam suppliers!!!!
Log In to reply
nherdananto on May 13, 2013
srsly..! i don't think it was selfbuild before.. an awsome job..!
Log In to reply
Bjarkix2 on May 13, 2013
you got to kidding me, this is awesome, nice tires
Log In to reply
blackfly on May 15, 2013
2 thumbs up to you sir,...yes an awesome build technique. much thanks, blackfly.
Log In to reply
RedBaron1 on May 13, 2013
Great idea and they look great. Can you give us a link, or list a source for those of us who may want to buy small quantities of this type of foam?
Do you think it would work to use one spool per wheel (cutting out the middle section) so that each side has the edge rim? Maybe just depend on the holding strength of the glue used?
Log In to reply
mxclouti on May 17, 2013
Wow ! Nice job !
Log In to reply
nickatredbox on May 18, 2013
very nice results
Log In to reply
Battershell on May 13, 2013
Being a Auto Body and Frame tech I come across this type of foam all the time in the typical fender and hood box packaging. A visit to a large local body shop could turn up a goldmine of foams they throw out daily. I would even suggest to them you provide a small box for their employees to collect this foam to keep it out of landfills, and they would possibly be glad to help you and the environment out. Schedule to be by weekly to collect it. Any foam you get is foam you didn't have to buy.
As for the double flange rim. Yes this idea works. The type of glue you use on the foam can double as the rim glue. I use very expensive auto body epoxies. Like 3M because it is a perk of having it available from my job. Hobby 2 part epoxy is just as resourceful and recommended as well.
Log In to reply
Phil202 on May 13, 2013
Freaking Awesome!
Log In to reply
JohnK on May 19, 2013
I made mine of blue insulation-foam and milk-bottle-tops, and with a coat of paint they look amazing, Thank you for sharing this superb idea!
Log In to reply
OutcastZeroOne on May 13, 2013
Very cool, though most people dont have access to a body shops dumpster but I really like the idea. They turned out great! Finding good stiff foam is always a challenge. One thing I may sugest is finding a foam knee pad board. Thay are made of fairly stiff foam, and about 1" thick. Just a possible, more easily found material sugestion.
Log In to reply
SeanJuan73 on May 13, 2013
VERY COOL! I would give you 6 stars, if I could! ;-) This is exactly what this community is about and I love to see creative solutions like yours! Thank you!

Log In to reply
Battershell on May 13, 2013
Thank you very much. I hope you make a few sets for yourself. I'm going to start scouting the old folks homes and nursing homes for more thread spoolsmyself. I caught enough slack from my wife for her thread coming up missing!
Log In to reply
LordVader on September 14, 2013
I second that! This is great:)
Log In to reply
Battershell on May 13, 2013
Awesome idea OutcastZeroOne! Never thought of that. I have a Dora the Explorer foam garden knee board from Lowes my daughter has never used..... guess I will have to paint it though. Oh well here goes. Awesome idea once again!!!! Foam is everywhere people. You sometimes you might have to glue some layers together as well to make a wide enough tire. But the end result is worth it. Cheap and easy!
Log In to reply
OutcastZeroOne on May 14, 2013
I've got an old "Snap-on" in my tool box at work. Matco also has the same knee board. Mine is starting to show its age though. Might be time for a new one. Have a few ideas on what to do with the old one :D
Log In to reply
sailorJohn on May 16, 2013
Simply too much work for something that is so cheap frm HK , not to mention who has a wife that still sews.
Log In to reply
sailorJohn on May 16, 2013
5 for $ 4.00 0r006-00108 perfect size
Log In to reply
Battershell on May 16, 2013
I think you are missing the point...... Self pride, enjoyment, knowing you can make the exact size and width you need at any moment..... I have bought several pairs from HK and directly from a hobby store before. Always looking and surfing is sometimes a chore. But besides that the price is not a problem either. Brand name Du-Bros are often less than $10. Its about the craft and art that you seem to be misunderstanding. This article is for the ones that want to be proud to say "I built that"! Trust me. If I could make my own batteries I would try. But that is just me. I like to tinker and this is inside my abilities.It is the way I have always been!.
In the same sense may I ask why you are on this site???? If you could buy a plane RTF. Why then are you surfing a scratch building site?
Log In to reply
LordVader on September 14, 2013
I agree with you. This is an awesome how-to and something to be proud of doing. I have bought some wheels and they look just like the ones you are showing. I can't believe how well they turn out. I do have a question, how do you connect to the landing gear? Do you use heat shrink or something to get the wire to the right diameter or what? I would love to do this from now on instead of paying for them. Thanks so much for this, it's great and if you have any others how-tos or something to show. Please show us.
Log In to reply
FlyingMonkey on May 16, 2013
Very Well Done Sir! Top Hat and Mustache for you!
Log In to reply
Mark S on May 16, 2013
Haven't hit any body shops yet, but I did try this technique with the Dollar Tree 'Noodles'. Works good, but the foam doesn't sand for dukey so it is better off leaving the foam tires square. Also only comes in colors like blue, yellow, orange. Color can be changed with a Sharpie if you want 'em black. Thanks for the ideas, Battershell.
Log In to reply
Benn Gunn on May 13, 2013
Real quality finish... very nice
Log In to reply
NoUsername on May 13, 2013
Super easy, great job. Thanx for sharing.
Log In to reply
steadfast4life on November 3, 2013
Great idea. I'll keep my eyes open for rigid packing foam!

Log In to reply
Yogenh on January 11, 2014
I love it are great job


Log In to reply
brakeman75 on January 18, 2014
Sizing the wheels can be easier if both wheels are spun together on the same bolt. Shaping is done as a second process. I made mine of $store foam this way. I used a sanding disc in the drill. and spun them on a wire. Hold the wire at straight with the rotation and turn it the angle will cause the sanding, I Great article!!!!
Log In to reply
c.sitas on January 16, 2014
You know, hk is alright but, these wheels are AMERICAN made. Keep up the good work fellows.This stuff is the yankee spirt," making something from nothing".This has to be one of the absolute sites around .No end to the ideas.
Log In to reply
Yogenh on March 29, 2014
You did great with this. I will have to make me some

Log In to reply
Sharky on September 24, 2014
GR8 idea, solves my wheel problem thanks

Log In to reply
Gaberiel on September 4, 2023
Great idea!
Log In to reply

You need to log-in to comment on articles.


Easy homemade rims and tires.