Traction Engine Tyres?

This topic has 10 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 10 February 2026 at 08:24 by Bo’sun.

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13 December 2025 at 12:35 #828615
Bo’sun
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@bosun58570
Good afternoon,

I’m about to make some tyres for my model Traction Engine. One each for the front wheels, and two each for the rear wheels. The material is Black “general purpose” solid Neoprene Rubber, 2mm x 10mm.

Before I start, some guidance would be appreciated. Firstly, how to ensure a neat perpendicular cut (scarf or butt joint)? Secondly, what adhesive? I had planned to use a “superglue”. And thirdly, any tips on lining up the joints prior to bonding?

To secure the tyres (they will have a little stretch in them), I intend to use hair lacquer just like I’ve used in the past to secure the handlebar grips on my mountain bike.
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13 December 2025 at 13:05 #828618
Robert Atkinson 2
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@robertatkinson2
Superglue is pretty rigid when set and may crack. A rubber based “contact” adhesive e.g. Evo-Stik “IMPACT” is a better choice with a scarf joint.
Professionally I would use a similar adhesive like 3M Scotch-Weld 1300L that is qualified to MIL-A-1154.

You might also consider using it to glue the tyre to the wheel as a strip rather tha a closed band. A scarf joint can still be used and will allow for a little variation in length.

Robert.
13 December 2025 at 15:46 #828658
Bo’sun
Participant
@bosun58570
Thanks Robert, I had considered an Impact Adhesive, but thought the tyres cross section at 20 sq mm a little small for it to be effective.
13 December 2025 at 16:11 #828661
Robert Atkinson 2
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@robertatkinson2
A scarfed joint, through the thickness of the rubber will increase the surface area and reduce the peeling forces on the joint. You are correct that a simple 2mmx10mm butt joint exposed to bending is unlikely to hold with contact adhesive. Super glue wil hold it statically under tension but I’d be concernd about the compression if the joint rolls over on a hard surface.
What diameter are the wheels and how much does ithe model weigh?

Robert.
13 December 2025 at 16:45 #828670
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
The larger engines use a good quality superglue, 3M do “black magic” which has some rubber particles in it to join the ends and then a flexible rubber adhesive to bond them to the rims such as Marineflex. These are probably a harder rubber than your flat strip may be but by the size of it I doubt you will be doing many road miles.

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13 December 2025 at 18:44 #828681
Bo’sun
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@bosun58570
Robert,

The rear wheels are 115mm dia and the fronts are 70mm dia. I’m guessing, because the model’s in pieces at present, but the weight is around two kilos.

Jason,

Thanks for that, I’ll have a look at it tomorrow. Certainly not many road miles.
13 December 2025 at 20:01 #828687
bernard towers
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@bernardtowers37738
I used Double B designs tyres for my DNY 2″ engine, now supplied bt MJ engineering there is some info on their site . Mine are butt joined with their supplied superglue ( be careful) it actually smokes when the two pieces are put together. I think from memory that the tyre is 1 inch shorter per foot of wheel dia. I fitted mine on the wheel with no adhesive and a 1/2 inch rod under the tyre and put the adhesive in the gap and rolled the bar around the rim adding adhesive as I went. Still there after 20 years but not used much.Beware its a messy job!!!!
9 February 2026 at 18:32 #836967
Nigel Graham 2
Participant
@nigelgraham2
To answer the accompanying query, perhaps a simple jig made to guide a sharp knife or a junior hacksaw will ensure a true cut. Cutting rubber with a knife is easier with a little lubrication by soapy water.
10 February 2026 at 05:02 #837015
Alan Charleston
Participant
@alancharleston78882
Hi,

Rather than gluing a rubber strip to the wheels, it might be interesting to coat the rims with silicone sealant which will cure to silicone rubber. If the wheel were slowly turned during curing it should maintain a uniform thickness rather than sagging. When cured, I believe it could be cut with a sharp tangential cutter to produce a perfectly round tyre.

Regards,

Alan C.
10 February 2026 at 07:00 #837018
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Silicon sealant is likely to be far too soft. I don’t know the exact shore hardness of the tyre “strips” but just like the vulcanised rubber or PU resins it is much firmer than tube silicon sealant but a firmer RTV one may work .

Though having said that it now turns out to be a rather small traction engine since my earlier reply so unlikely to suffer creep on a road run.
10 February 2026 at 08:24 #837021
Bo’sun
Participant
@bosun58570
Thanks for the suggestions.

An update for those interested: Hairspray worked quite well to secure the tyres to the wheels, and as Jason suggested, tyre creep is unlikely to be an issue. Actually, the tyres remained in place OK without any adhesive, except the front tyres tended to slip sideways when turning. The tricky task was jointing the rubber strips. I favoured a scarf joint to get a large gluing surface, but the diagonal cut just caused the joint to slide sideways as soon as pressure was applied. A simple but joint, and some additional magnification won through in the end.
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