When sanding flat spot on tires is it best to do it when they are attached to the aircraft or before? How would one determine the angle since most wheels are keyed to the landing gear? Any good techniques out there?
Well you could sand the key off or file it off that way you can sand the flat and ajust the fit. the first time i did it the wheels where off the model.
I clamp the 2 tyres together and sand the flat spot before assembly or painting but I work in 1/72 scale-don’t over do it. I think larger kits need AM tyres although some companies have weighted tyres in their kits.
If the wheel is keyed I always take it off so when the tire is flattened and it is not in the exact spot the wheel will roll to the right place. You need to look at the LG to see what the angles are as not all the wheels are exactly perpendicular to the ground… take a look at an Fw-190 or a Bf-109. Sanding the tire will only give a flat spot on the bottom. A better method is to use a candle… being extremely careful of course. Hold the tire so the point of ground contact faces the flame, at the appropriate angle, and move closer ‘til it just gets soft and quickly press the wheel to the table top, lightly, to get a flat part on the bottom and a slight bulge on the sides. If the bulge is too big it can be sanded down a pit and the flat spot can be adjusted a bit to rest flat when all is assembled. I do this to the wheel before assembly to the LG and dry fit as I go along. You can just see the bulge on the pic below.
A technique I’ve heard of, but never tried, is to cover the face of an iron with wax paper or some such, and heat it. When hot, set the model on the paper covered face and press down. Sounds like it would work.
I use the same procedure that wing_nut described.
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
You guys are right-of course! I have not built anything lately with splayed landing gear-like most German WWII fighters (the ME 109 is esp. strange). My WWI builds are easy.
Melting the flat part of the tire actually is a good idea. This gives you a more natural flattened look, instead of sanding.
The hot iron and wax paper trick works great and you do the procedure with the wheels cemented on.
Jerry
Hmm, what’s that smell?[%-)] Is that burning plastic?[:)]
I used an iron to make a flat area on the tires of my Fw190D, but the wheels were resin, and did not melt easily–I was too afraid to try too hard, lest I overdo it and create a melted mess.
Also, I did not use any wax paper, just pushed the tires against the face of the iron. I highly recommend this technique if you wish to get in trouble with your spouse. [B)]
My spouse would rejoice if I wrecked the iron.
Personally I heat a knife over the gas ring, press the wheel/tyre down onto that until it bulges just right and then stick it on to the undercarriage leg (the wheel/tyre not the knife).
J.