Scale model wheels and tires database

[jano11]

Anyone aware of a database that would contain majority, if not all, of the available automotive scale model wheels and tires?
One that contains names, pictures and sizes of these articles.

I was looking for one and didn't find it, but maybe I just missed it on google's pages.

[BVC500]

That would be nice.

And it would be even nicer if some manufacturer produced the 20 inch BBS wheels for the Ferrari 599 and 612 that I know a lot of people would like to have...I'm still waiting...

[jano11]

In this case I'll have to start putting together my own.
Anyone interested to contribute with data from the kit or aftermarket wheels they own?

[mike@af]

Originally Posted by jano11

In this case I'll have to start putting together my own.
Anyone interested to contribute with data from the kit or aftermarket wheels they own?

Just because they're sitting right here next to me.

Aoshima Volk TE37 19"

[MPWR]

Originally Posted by jano11

In this case I'll have to start putting together my own.
Anyone interested to contribute with data from the kit or aftermarket wheels they own?

Sure. Come up with a decent format for information, and I'm sure people will contribute.

[jano11]

OK!

Here's what I think it will be needed in order to offer the right information about each wheel set:

1. Scale
2. Kit or aftermarket kit name.
3. Kit number (code)
4. Kit manufacturer name
5. Front wheel diameter
6. Front wheel width
7. Rear wheel diameter
8. Rear wheel width
9. Front tire diameter
10. Rear tire diameter
11. Mounting type
12. Tire manufacturer markings present in the kit (please mention if it's decals or molded on tire)
13. Eventually the manufacturers parts code (for ordering kit parts)

Wheel and tires that come from complete kits or aftermarket kits are all welcome.

Everyone should post the data in this thread and I'll try to filter it into a spreadsheet every day or at least every 2nd day and upload the updated file every week.

I would love to set up a full fledged data base with pictures and also searching possibilities but I do not have the time for doing it right now.

[jla]

Sounds like a great idea, you should probably cover the mounting type as well though. I'll definitely start working through my collection kits to contribute.

You should also post up the spread sheet format too, might be easier for you to compile the information that way.

[jano11]

Originally Posted by jla

You should also post up the spread sheet format too, might be easier for you to compile the information that way.

Spread sheet format, containing one example, attached to this message.

Edit: Spread sheet modified and added a couple of posts down this thread.

[rallymaster]

A wheels data base is a great idea, but in my opinion diameter and width aren't the first things modelers are looking for...
I personaly won't measure my wheels !! what counts to be accurate is the number of spokes, of nuts... etc.
I would prefer these informations rather than measurements I never used to determinate which wheels I should use or swap or modify.
that said I must precise I mostly build rally cars (so I guess every one know what a OZ 206 WRC for example has to be and how wide and long it has to be more than for road cars where measurements can here be one major information to have).
I can bring my contribution with all I have, but don't expect me to measure every wheels !
some informations such has different mounting possibilities may also be interesting for rally cars...
(Peugeot used 5 spokes or 15 spokes in 2002 for example, Ford also swap some 5 spokes for 15 spokes the same year; male or female hub etc etc)
What do you think about it ?

[jla]

That's a point to consider, but I figure wheel diameter still matters, especially if you're looking to swap tires. I personally don't mind doing a spoke or lug count, should help speed up the sorting process if there's a specific wheel you would be looking for.

[jano11]

We can certainly add cells to the above spread sheet where you can precise the number of spokes and nuts.

But to be honest, how much it takes to measure the diameter and width of a wheels and tire? 10 seconds?!

PS: Updated spread sheet attached!

[rallymaster]

Originally Posted by jano11

But to be honest, how much it takes to measure the diameter and width of a wheels and tire? 10 seconds?!

ONE wheel maybe but for dozens ?!
And moreover I completely disagree, it doesn't take 10 seconds to correctly measure one wheel AND one tyre, and I'm not sure I would trust someone's measurements made in only 10 seconds !!
And as I said I don't do that because it's not my critery when looking for a wheel, a tyre and/or a wheel can be adjusted one on the other if width isn't perfect (you only need to know the size represented, 15", 18" etc), but you don't have any accuracy and realism if you put a 4 spokes instead of a 5 one !
I personaly build model cars to make them look like what they are supposed to represent, what to care with wheels problems and questions if not ??
To be honest I don't really understand how modelers can say they "do not mind" about that if they are trying to represent something real...
And I can't believe people not caring about accuracy use to on the otehr hand precisely measure their wheels !!??
Do you honestly measure each wheel you use ?? Do you honestly decide to use a wheel only because it would be a 49.35 mm and not a 49.55 mm one when both are given for 18" (it's only an example) ??
I can't believe that and by the way none of the aftermarket items I've been able to see or get in hands don't mention measurements but only the siez of original wheel: 18", 19" etc.
but once more I don't need wheels only to give a cool look to a car but to give a car what it raced with... So maybe it's only a different concept of a wheel use, even if also when i build something else that a rally car I try to respect nuts number and such things of what was on the real or original car.
(I won't put a 5 nuts wheel on a Citroen 2CV for example ! )
I can understand wheel measurements can be usefull when modifying a model, but I doubt it should be the main thing to list completely forgetting so major and primary informations such as inch scale, nuts number, spokes number...
I have seen dozen of times modelers looking for a good 18" OZ 15 spokes, or for a 17" Speedline 6 spokes, but I never saw any modeler looking for a 49.35 mm wheel without specifying which type of wheel...
Measurements surely can be a good complement when there is a doubt on the most apropriated item to choose but imo not the first element to determinate a choice.

but do what you want, I was only giving my oipinion of what should be taken in consideration to make such a database usefull for a maximum of persons according to my own experience and questions frequently asked to me by less experimented modelers.
If you are interested by my contribution you'll get it, but don't expect me to measure each of my rally wheel (I probably would for some perhaps more difficult to find or to identify) if you even don't list elements usefull to determinate choice of them... (because if so such a list would be completely obsolete to me and to rally modelers, so I would have to make my own one).

PS: your second sheet seems more usefull to me now !

[jla]

Well there's still some useful information to be had from measured wheel sizes especially if you're planning on raiding a kit for tires and want to know if it will fit the rims you've have.

I've had tires dry, crack, and split in time due to "snug" fits, so I think that measurement will help more in terms of fit instead of looks. I'm sure you can always sand down wheels a bit, but at least this way you'd know for sure.

Wasn't there a set of Fujimi wheels in the past that were supposed 17" wheels, but then measured and looked smaller or closer to 16"? I think it was TE-37s of which I just ordered 2 sets in 17" so I'm hoping not
That's the kind of information I want, especially if looking into aftermarket wheel sets.

Plus digital calipers is everyone's friend in this case.


rallymaster - I'll save you some time since I focus mainly on rally models too we should work something out so we don't double up work.

[rallymaster]

Originally Posted by jla

Well there's still some useful information to be had from measured wheel sizes especially if you're planning on raiding a kit for tires and want to know if it will fit the rims you've have.

I've had tires dry, crack, and split in time due to "snug" fits, so I think that measurement will help more in terms of fit instead of looks. I'm sure you can always sand down wheels a bit, but at least this way you'd know for sure.

Wasn't there a set of Fujimi wheels in the past that were supposed 17" wheels, but then measured and looked smaller or closer to 16"? I think it was TE-37s of which I just ordered 2 sets in 17" so I'm hoping not
That's the kind of information I want, especially if looking into aftermarket wheel sets.

Plus digital calipers is everyone's friend in this case.


rallymaster - I'll save you some time since I focus mainly on rally models too we should work something out so we don't double up work.

Of course you're right, and I didn't want to pretend measurements are completely useless, they are usefull especially as you said if you're trying to find a wheel that match a car and if its size his the key of the chose to respect a scale...
that's more true when mixing kit brands.
But on the other hand what would bring measurements without any information about design, scale supposed to be (we all know there are some differences from a brand to another), usual cars using it...

The more I read about that the more I think that the first listing idea mostly correspond to road car buildind and how to find a cool wheel for my perosnal build according to what it is, than to a referencing of wheels and cars correspondances (as I mostly saw that myself when thinking of it).
So perhaps we should hold two lists, one for wheels in general, one for racing use (??), listing wheels from kits or aftermarket items that could match a car or another depending on sizes on one hand, and listing used wheels for each car and their correspondances depending on design and scales on the other hand.
but that would be very complicated and long work...
I suppose that listing wheels from existing kits would be interesting too.
What do you think about it ?

Next problem would be to cross both lists, for example to know that Metro 6R4 wheels or Audi Quattro ones could also fit that road/modified/converted/etc car or another...
in this case I suppose measurements must be needed (it's right that I wouldn't be able to determinate special wheels and personal cars build match without measurements because racing wheels are known by their scale and design and their usual destination - I mean car(s) using them).
Nevertheless I can imagine a racing wheels list without the main first used informations like what I already said upon.

I'm trying to modify or convert some wheels for my to do racing cars, from existing parts most of the time, and the first thing I look at is the design (won't chose a 15 spokes wheel if I have to convert a 6 one for example) and the scale. Only after this first selection I try to see if this supposed scale match the real scale of the model, and if width has to be corrected or not. It's sure that if the wheel appears too narrow it can be easyerly modified than if the wheel simply is too small, but I never used the measurements for a first determination or selection. I sometimes verified them to see if I was on the right way, but I generaly better trust my feeling than mathematics, because modeling isn't a perfect science !

I'll try to see what I could do with my rally kits and wheels to serve expectations of most people here.
This list is a trully good idea so it has to be usefull for the most people possible.


And I'll be pleased to work with another rally fan !
Feel free to contact me jla if you want it

[jla]

Just curious how you want to handle the images for the database. Obviously inserting the image in a cell is not the prettiest way to do things....

wheel database spreadsheet

Already exceeded the af forum limits for file size