Hot Wheels and Matchbox Customizing Thread

[CodeRedR51]

Look for this:

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/1/16-brass-tube-100131/

 

[AOS-]

Can you show what you recommend as in what brand and were i can find it please?

Dude, there's really not much of a need to pay attention to "brand" names when it comes to raw materials.... just get brass tubing. It's cheaper than aluminum.

 

[Sonygamer455]

Dude, there's really not much of a need to pay attention to "brand" names when it comes to raw materials.... just get brass tubing. It's cheaper than aluminum.

Oh okey, i felt like it was best to ask just to be on the safe side. Im new to this so theres alot i don't know.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Just go to Hobby Lobby and buy the stuff in the link. $4 and you're covered for a while.

 

[Nessy]

Question about the 1/16" brass tubing.. Do you guys have to channel out the axle grooves of the chassis base when you fit those things? When i picked up the brass tubing, i did consider getting the aluminium ones (same price), but decided against because the tubing itself was so thick (wall thickness equal to the measurement of the hole itself).

 

[AOS-]

Some bases have grooves big enough to fit, some don't. Luckily for me I made use of the tiny file kit I bought some years ago, turn it on its side and just run it through there for a minute and it's perfect after that.

 

[Nessy]

^Haha!
Buy too big, and the chassis has to be filed.. Buy too small, and the axle has to be filed (in my case).

 

[McZachenF1138]

You guys are using a cut off wheel on a dremel to cut the tubing am I correct?

 

[Nessy]

You guys are using a cut off wheel on a dremel to cut the tubing am I correct?

Not for me, i'm using the cable cutting bit on a pair of rusty pliers (inserted bit of axle to help the brass tubing keep its form).... i really need to get some new tools.

 

[AOS-]

Using a cut-off wheel? Not sure what you mean, but essentially, if we need to length or shorten the axle to fit the chassis, the tubing is needed but you can't do anything until you cut the axle in two. I'm using wire cutters to cut the axles and a dremel to cut off the tubing. I really recommend using a dremel for this because using wire cutters will pinch the tube closing it off which then means you got to sand/file that cap off. Instead, if you use the cutting disk on a dremel, and just wear the material all the way around, there's significantly less sanding to do.

Afterwards, jab your axles (with the wheels on them), get the right length and crimp the tubing so it squeezes onto the axle. If you don't have a crimp tool, just use a wire cutter and don't pinch all the way through or else you'll just end up cutting the tubing. This method warps the axle's degree a bit so at times I will get a slightly bent axle but I don't really care.

edit: Oh you meant an abrasive cutting disk! Yes, I used one. 💡

 

[Nessy]

This method warps the axle's degree a bit so at times I will get a slightly bent axle but I don't really care.

You wouldn't have that problem had you have used the 0.8mm stuff like i did..
Yeah-yeah, i know i should quit it already , i guess it's just my way of masking my Dremmel envy.

 

[CodeRedR51]

You guys are using a cut off wheel on a dremel to cut the tubing am I correct?

Yes. If you use pliers or wire cutters you'll crimp the end and then you won't be able to put the axle in. I usually just slowly cut it until there's just a little bit left, then bend it back and forth a couple times so it breaks off.

 

[AOS-]

I like to let the dremel cut the tube all around like a tube cutter would. I just hold the tube loosely and the friction from the disk makes the tube rotate too.

 

[McZachenF1138]

Yeah, that's what I do but was wondering how you guys deal with the extra almost melted aluminum on the end(s) that you cut off. Is there no way to make it a clean cut?

 

[Nessy]

I'm pretty sure nobody's interested, but here's the brass tubing i'm using (excuse crappy quality of pic).



As you will see, it's very close in diameter to the actual HW axle.

 

[Nessy]

Yeah, that's what I do but was wondering how you guys deal with the extra almost melted aluminum on the end(s) that you cut off. Is there no way to make it a clean cut?

Just grind off any burr edges with the grind/linishing wheel on your Dremmel.

Oops sorry double post.

 

[AOS-]

Yeah, that's what I do but was wondering how you guys deal with the extra almost melted aluminum on the end(s) that you cut off. Is there no way to make it a clean cut?

The warped bit will happen because of the heat generated from the disk. I don't know if you understand how that works, but if you do, instead of pushing the disk all the way through from one end to the other, imagine the disk was an element that disintegrates the material. If you went at the circumference and worked your way inward, you'd have a much smaller mess to deal with afterwards. I still have to sand off the messy bit, but there's much less to sand down. It's the cleanest I've got.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Yeah, that's what I do but was wondering how you guys deal with the extra almost melted aluminum on the end(s) that you cut off. Is there no way to make it a clean cut?

Brass usually cuts clean. Never used aluminum.

 

[AOS-]

I'm pretty sure nobody's interested, but here's the brass tubing i'm using (excuse crappy quality of pic).

As you will see, it's very close in diameter to the actual HW axle.

That's cool, but I'd rather sand down plastic than a tiny metal rod since it's so much easier.

 

[Apok]

I'm pretty sure nobody's interested, but here's the brass tubing i'm using (excuse crappy quality of pic).

*picture*

You're supposed to use a camera for taking pictures, not a toaster.

 

[Nessy]

You're supposed to use a camera for taking pictures, not a toaster.

It's not actually my camera (borrowed it), and i don't really know how to work it properly.. it's 3 mega pixels... i'm assuming that's quite crap isn't it?

[EDIT]

Hoorahh!!! Sussed out the toaster has a macro setting Apok.

 

[Sonygamer455]

Just go to Hobby Lobby and buy the stuff in the link. $4 and you're covered for a while.

Okey thanks for the info Turbo!

I'm pretty sure nobody's interested, but here's the brass tubing i'm using (excuse crappy quality of pic).

As you will see, it's very close in diameter to the actual HW axle.

Actually thanks for posting that, kind of what i wanted to see.👍

Not sure if this has been discussed, but i read ya'lls posts and i know what i need now and i know how to slide it into the wheel but what im confused about is, the ends on the HW axels that prevent the wheel from flying off when you roll it, how do i get that?
P.S. I apologize for all these questions, again im new to this and there is much i don't understand. The tools ya'll talk about, i have never used before.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Need opinions!

Remember the customizing kit idea I had a while ago? (or someone else and I ran with it)

I had a better idea for the packaging last night and came up with this quickly. I need to know if it looks professional enough, if you would change anything or add anything, and would you pay anywhere from $4.99 to $7.99 for something like this?

The gray squares and the text are just there for this example, the actual car background would be plain white.

Edit: @ Sony, I can make a picture tutorial for you in the next couple days or so.

 

[Sonygamer455]

Edit: @ Sony, I can make a picture tutorial for you in the next couple days or so.

Yes please do! If you can make a video and upload it on youtube. I need all the help i can get on this.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Video isn't possible, but I can do photos.

 

[Sonygamer455]

Video isn't possible, but I can do photos.

Okey that will do!👍

EDIT: I really need some info (speaking mainly to AOS-), the Boulevard series Rigor Motor when opened, does it have anything on the base to hold the axle in place therefore requiring me to cut the axle in half or can the whole axle itself be pulled out by hand? If anybody knows please tell me! Really need to know as soon as possible!

 

[McZachenF1138]

I've actually been thinking about making a tutorial on customising cars and taking them apart and such. It's not really necessary, but it would be easier than explaining it over an over every time someone asks how to do it.

 

[Sonygamer455]

I've actually been thinking about making a tutorial on customising cars and taking them apart and such. It's not really necessary, but it would be easier than explaining it over an over every time someone asks how to do it.

Yea i agree, im a visual kind of person, i can learn pretty quickly when i see someone else doing something. I say go for it!👍

 

[McZachenF1138]

I don't know about you guys, but I swear so much when I'm working on cars.

 

[AOS-]

...the ends on the HW axels that prevent the wheel from flying off when you roll it, how do i get that?

I can't do it with the tools I have. Instead, I keep the hammered ends of those axles and just trim off the excess amount from the center of the axle. In other words, what is more important are the ends than the center.

Need opinions!

Remember the customizing kit idea I had a while ago? (or someone else and I ran with it)

I had a better idea for the packaging last night and came up with this quickly. I need to know if it looks professional enough, if you would change anything or add anything, and would you pay anywhere from $4.99 to $7.99 for something like this?

The gray squares and the text are just there for this example, the actual car background would be plain white.

That looks unattractive as a product blister if that's what it is. What kind of product are you trying to make? A kit where you have a disassembled car for the user to build on their own?

I've actually been thinking about making a tutorial on customising cars and taking them apart and such. It's not really necessary, but it would be easier than explaining it over an over every time someone asks how to do it.

There are endless amounts of videos with people doing this already.