Making a Solid Rubber Tyre

Making a Solid Rubber Tyre

This topic has 4 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 26 October 2026 at 20:14 by DC31k.

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26 October 2026 at 18:05 #871484
William Harvey 1
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@williamharvey1
Molding For Rubber Tyres

Hi guys, a long time since have been on here looking for help.

I have built a full size motorised Dalek, the motors and wheels are from an old Sunrse Medical Powered Wheel Chair. A while ago the wheels started to deteriorate and I was able to buy replacements from here:

https://discountscooters.co.uk/products/colson-200-tyre

One of these replacement wheels has now developed a crack (after about 2 years). On the website linked above the wheels are now out of stock.

I am struggling to find a a replacement solid rubber tyre anywhere and decided to take a look at how to make my own.

I have done loads of 3D printing in the past and thought that maybe there were now rubber style 3D filaments. It appears that there are but so that may be an option.

I then considered molding using two part silicone or something suitable. I have never made a mold or molded anything before.

All I have is one good tyre on one of the wheels and if I can remove it without damaging it, I am seeking help in how to make a mold of this tyre.

Does anyone on here have any experience with molding silicone?

Many thanks
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26 October 2026 at 18:16 #871488
Grizzly bear
Participant
@grizzlybear
200mm x 50mm Heavy Duty Rubber Wheel | Castor Wheels | Vital Partshttps://www.bing.com/search?q=tyres++200mm+WP+castor.&form=ANNTH1&refig=6adf967e6cfa44659aa1da7a67da75c1&pc=U531
26 October 2026 at 19:14 #871497
Fulmen
Participant
@fulmen
You might want to look for castable polyurethane, it’s about as strong and durable as it gets. I’m sure you can cast it in a 3D printed mold.

Printed TPU should also be a viable option. It’s not the easiest to print but I’ve had good luck on my CR6 (improved Ender 3) so it’s not impossible on a simple printer.
26 October 2026 at 19:18 #871500
Peter Cook 6
Participant
@petercook6
If you can 3D print, could you model and 3D print two halves of a mould for the tyre. Clamp them together and fill with your silicone rubber. Suspect PLA would do.

Something like this
26 October 2026 at 20:14 #871503
DC31k
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@dc31k
On 26 October 2026 at 19:18 Peter Cook 6 Said:

Clamp them together and fill with your silicone rubber.

It is a very small word that ‘fill’, but it seems to me that it is doing a lot of work here.

The mould and stopping the ooze escaping is the simple part. Putting it in in a way that does not leave voids or air bubbles in the cured product would appear to be the challenge.

—

FWIW, the My Mechanics YouTube channel cast a set of tyres for a child’s scooter, so some of the techniques shown there might be educational.
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