1/12th scale Pro Touring '69 Camaro

[white97ex]

A little update on this. As awesome as it would be to say that the wheels are fully machined, I've found an alternate route. www.shapeways.com offers 3-D printing services. Basically you upload a 3-d image file and they sell you prints of the design. I've spent the last couple of days teaching myself solidworks and working on a design for a wheel center. I'm not sure if I will go so far as to make the wheel "sleeves" or not, or if I will have someone machine them for me.

Here is a picture of what I'm working on:



The great thing about this is, the possibilities are nearly limitless once I'm proficient at solidworks. Some things will still be scratchbuilt, however, the items that I have trouble with, or can't get proportions right, they can simply be printed!

[corvettekid_7684]

Thanks for sharing that site! I'm curious where you got solidworks, as I used it professionally for 6 years & would like my own. Looks like they also do metal parts as well

[stump]

Hey Russell,
Great idea about having a go at that yourself mate.
Wouldn't mind that program myself, I'd love to have a go at designing some bits.

And seeing you have Shapeways already, hace you checked out TDR Innovations ??
http://sites.google.com/site/tdrinnovations/home

They use Shapeways, and already have some really awesome parts available in scales 1/43 - 1/8.
Already have a few of their 1/12 items myself, and just about to order the new Camaro body...

[white97ex]

They've got some pretty cool stuff there! I've seen a bit of it. Though the body is too rich for my blood!

As for solidoworks, its something I picked up while in the engineering program at a local university.

[white97ex]

Still no physical modelling as of yet. I've been working in solidworks and learning its nuances and ways to get this all done. I have been able to create a new wheel center, wheel sleeves that are 11" and 9.5" wide, as well as a wheel stop. The way this will work is, the wheel stop is adjusted to the depth I need for the backspacing I want, then it will be mated to the outer sleeve. Once that is done, the wheel center will be mated to the stop. I've got the stop "drilled" for bolt heads, to mimick the wheel being blind fastened from the back side. Those bolts will be machined pieces.

[ll Brandon ll]

If you make this work, there is some possibilities there.

[white97ex]

It will work! I've got a wheel center, 11" and 9.5" wheel sleeve, as well as a mounting ring ordered to print. Should be here first or second week of march. This will allow me to complete the front suspension. Next up for design are the brake rotors and calipers. From there, hopefully an LSx engine...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897

[white97ex]

Another big hurdle for this build were the brakes. these are modeled after ZR1 corvette brakes. I got the "hat" and front rotor done last night. hopefully I can get started on the front caliper tonight.

[white97ex]

Well, I got a little package in the mail today. My prototype parts arrived from the 3D printer. It turns out that the mating ring for the wheel face wasn't printable in its current format so I will have to tweak it. The plastic I had these printed in prints very rough not near good enough for finished quality pieces. I have learned quite a bit so far from looking at these pieces. The most important: the wall thickness isn't as much as it appears on the screen! the sleeves are too thin IMHO. I am also on the fence about the overall look of the wheels. I feel like the spokes are too thin. I like the general design, I just feel that maybe the spokes could be a bit wider. As far as wheel size, this is what I've mentioned about scale correctness not always looking correct. These should be 20" wheels, though they still look a tad bit small.

[stump]

Hey Russell, for a "first time" effort, I reckon they look pretty darn sweet.
Maybe a size up would be good, but even if they scaled to 18-19 inch, they should look great once some thin tyres are added.
Do you mind me asking what you paid, as a once off deal I guess it was for you ??
PM me if you prefer.
Cheers mate.

[white97ex]

It was EXTREMELY inexpensive. Do you have some ideas for parts? It takes 4-5 hrs for me to design parts at the moment, depending on the complexity. I'm sure we could work out some kind of deal!

[cinqster]

Really cool project Russell!

I can see the model is a ('scuse the pun) 'vehicle' for you for getting to grips with 3D printing, but the Luddite in me says the money could be invested in a good lathe?!

You certainly have the skills to machine that wheel and I would bet it would be more satisfying than having a part land on your doormat (and be better finished to boot!).

Interesting build though!

[white97ex]

The reality of it is, I don't have the $$$ sitting around for a lathe. I wish I did though! Those parts cost me about $18 shipped to my door.

Regarding the finish. Once I get my dimensions pinned down, I will get a set printed in a material that offers a better finish. This is the roughest/cheapest material that they have available.

Thanks for checking it out! I have been watching your large scale scratchbuilds for some time!

[corvettekid_7684]

Different printing methods give different results. There are some that would give a better finish. I would recommend something but I've been out of that field of work for awhile & don't remember them...

[white97ex]

Originally Posted by corvettekid_7684

Different printing methods give different results. There are some that would give a better finish. I would recommend something but I've been out of that field of work for awhile & don't remember them...

They have several different options for a printing medium. I will try something that offers more detail on the next set I order