traction engine wheels

[David Bothwell 1Participant @davidbothwell1]

I have just bought a set of wheels for a 2" traction engine, I agreed to take them without the inner rings fitted. I am scratching my head as to the best way to fix the rings. My idea was to drill from the outer of the wheel into the ring and fix with small (6ba or 8ba) countersunk screws. They are too big for silver solder, but any suggestion/advice would be most helpful, I will be covering the wheels with rubber tyres (hopefully)

[David Bothwell 1Participant @davidbothwell1]

fixing inner rings

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Welding is the usual way, just watch that you don't put a curve into the rim.

[David Bothwell 1Participant @davidbothwell1]

Thanks Jason, I have an arc welder, need to brush up my skills

[Anonymous]

I don't think (small) screws would last five minutes. As JasonB says welding is the way to go. I arc welded my 4" rims, messy but they aren't going to come apart. Some of the professionally welded wheels I've seen have been very neatly done with MIG. At 2" scale I'd be tempted to try TIG welding. I did try TIG on some samples before I chose to arc weld my rims, but the sections were too heavy for my level of skill. I did manage to get a banana shaped rim, although JasonB was kind enough not to point it out when he saw my wheels last weekend. But if you're going to get rubber tyres fitted it doesn't really matter.

Andrew

[David Bothwell 1Participant @davidbothwell1]

Many thanks Andrew, I am coming round to welding, I did Mig welding in kitchen equipment a long time ago (pre 1980) may even try Tig

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

For small wheels, silver solderring/brazing is another option

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

Mig and Tig welds are rather different in that one leaves a convex finish and the other, concave, the latter looking much better. Go for Tig. As for banana rims, they will deform the rubber tyres to the same shape but after some use causing wear in the middle it will become less obvious

[David Bothwell 1Participant @davidbothwell1]

Thanks for the very useful advice. Thinking of sending out to a pro welder

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

You may get away with silver soldering the fronts, the main problem that I have found when soldering something into a ring is that the ring tends to expand more than the disc inside so the joint gap gets too big for the solder to bridge.

Largest I have done were from 140mm tube for some engine cart wheels.

I thought I had a picture of some nicely tig welded rims but can't fine it now. You may get away with having then done in small sections rather than fully welded all round which would keep the costs down if farming it out. Don't know where abouts you are but these people weld the rims for one of the ME suppliers

[David Bothwell 1Participant @davidbothwell1]

Thanks Jason, I think the firm you mentioned is a bit far from me, but I have found a local welding firm, awaiting a quote, I am in West Yorkshire, so by the time postage there and back would be prohibitive

[vintage engineerParticipant @vintageengineer]

You can drill hole trough the outer rim an spot weld them with a mig welder. This will cut down distortion

[David Bothwell 1Participant @davidbothwell1]

Thanks Vintage, that seems a very good idea, might have to but a MIG welder

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