Making N Scale Tires and a Tire Dump

[Ed Kapuscinski]

So as discussed in a previous thread (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=49877.0) I talked about how I needed piles and piles of tires for a tire dump.

After discussing a bunch of different options I realized that using thin slices of wire was THE way to go. Thanks @DKS

It took some searching around the house for the appropriate cord but I found it: an old RCA speaker to 3.5mm headphone cable.

I then needed to figure out the best method for making hundreds of similarly sized slices of said wire.

I've finally worked out a workflow that seems to work well for me and so I figured I'd share.

First, I created a jig for the proper thickness. This is a scrap piece of outdoor sign material I found that's about .020 styrene. At first I started with a single hole but realized that one of the more time consuming operations was clearing the created tire. If I had a bigger piece on my bench at the time I would've made this bigger.

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With the jig sitting flat on my work surface (note it's a piece of a box that makes it easy to bag them when done) I put the stripped and squared (by clipping the end) insulation into the jig until it hits the surface.

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Place your clippers (in this case some Xuron sprue cutters) firm against the top of the jig and clip.

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Repeat into each hole. Depending on how large you drilled your holes you can sometimes get multiple slices into each. This operation can be done quickly as in this case it's less important to go home with one ten than two fives.

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Lastly, pick up the jig and use it to push them out from under it. The box is really helpful here since you can easily bag them up when you're done.

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You'll have a bag done in no time.

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[Dave V]

Could you have done that also with heat shrink tubing, or would that have been too thin?

[peteski]

Could you have done that also with heat shrink tubing, or would that have been too thin?

I would say that before shrinking, it might be bit too thin, unless you are modeling those "rubber band tires", but after shrinking, it might be just the ticket.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I tried heat shrink. It was indeed too thin walled.

[davefoxx]

Genius!  Kudos to you, @Ed Kapuscinski and @DKS.

DFF

[Chris333]

You just need a bucket of stagnet water under the layout near the tires for smells.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

You just need a bucket of stagnet water under the layout near the tires for smells.

I was thinking of some skunky a$$ weed in a smoke generator, actually.

[DKS]

Well done, @Ed Kapuscinski !

[metalworkertom]

Looks great ! Nice trick on cutting to size. Another material that would work is Automotive vacuum hose /wiper fluid hose.

[Mark5]

I was thinking of some skunky a$$ weed in a smoke generator, actually.

Unfortunately (or fortunately for 1985) that sh*t did not exist in 1985. 

Mark

[peteski]

Looks great ! Nice trick on cutting to size. Another material that would work is Automotive vacuum hose /wiper fluid hose.

Yeah, as tires for N scale Monster Trucks. 

I do like Dave's ideal of using (shrunken) heat shrink.  That might produce some good looking tires.

[wazzou]

I’m reminded of the Seinfeld episode where Kosmo got a meat slicer when he traded it for his Sausage Press.
That’s what you need Ed, a meat slicer.   

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I’m reminded of the Seinfeld episode where Kosmo got a meat slicer when he traded it for his Sausage Press.
That’s what you need Ed, a meat slicer.   

I've got one!

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[amato1969]

Love it @wazzou, classic Seinfeld.  And @Ed Kapuscinski great low-drag jig!  I would have gone for my "chopper" first, but will keep this technique in mind for sure.

  Frank

[peteski]

A table saw is not a meat slicer. It would make minced-vinyl instead of N scale tires.