Help Needed ! Converting wheel centres

[Hiroboy]

The wheels I want to use on a project are the ones on the right which have a large central nut, but I want to convert them so they have 5 bolts as per the wheel on the left.
Anyone done this sucessfully, if so please give me your tips
Thanks

[ShOrtyOC714]

Hey Hiro, there might be a way taht u can do it, and i think it will work good for that rim, have u ever seen TECH DECK FingerBoards? If u have u can use the extra nuts they give u and just glue em on and spray over em. If u want some of those nuts i can give u some if u want.

[Integra14]

in my opp it would be easier to jsut take the rim on the left, and Carve Out the outer ring thing... the rims are pretty similar!

[Hiroboy]

Those nuts would need to be very small indeed say 0.75mm dia.
Nice idea but I think they maybe too big as the centre nut now is only 3.5mm (1/8 inch ish) dia.

[Jay!]

Do you intend to keep whatever attachment type the wheel has?

My thought would be to make a simple mold of the 5-lug center, then cast 4 thin copies. Then you could grind down just the bolt in the center to make it flat, and lay the 5-lug pattern on top...

[flyonthewall]

I have done a five to four bolt conversion which is much easier. It basically involved filling the existing detail and drilling new holes for plastic rod to fit through for the wheel nuts - i used stretched sprue. Before the rod was fixed in place, i drilled a recess with slightly bigger drill bit a little way into the first set of drilled holes. The rod is then pushed through, glued and trimed.

The five bolt is alot trickier coz its harder to get things symetrical. An easier alternaive would be to grind away the existing detail and glue in place some etched rivets or small plastic disc punched from sheet in a punch and die.

[Jay!]

Originally posted by flyonthewall
The five bolt is alot trickier coz its harder to get things symetrical.

Though being aided by using a 10-spoke wheel is a plus...

[008]

What I would do:

Cut down the nut with an xacto knife until it's flush with the surrounding.

Fill the remaining depression with putty or filler.

Chuck the wheel in a drill and sand the filler smooth while the rim is spinning, this will make sure it is even. Make a "sanding rod" by gluing sandpaper to a q-tip, toothpick, etc. You could even carve out a "center cap" shape while doing this.

Using the spokes as a guide, drill out 5 holes and make studs/lugnuts per Chris' directions.

[Hiroboy]

Thanks guys for your ideas.
I'll have a go tonight