Carrier Wheel Re-rubbering

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all - I'm just going through the exercise of removing the rubber from these wheels prior to re-rubbering for our Project Phoenix. I am experimenting with various methods, e.g. gas axe, angle grinder, wire brush etc. At this stage a combination of gas axe and grinder seems to be the go, but very time consuming and gas expensive. Any suggestions?

As an aside I have commissioned a wheel re-rubbering mold here in Adelaide with an industrial rubber company that specialises in this technique. I will own the mold and initial estimates of re-rubbering will be a tad under $200 per wheel. However, at this price, the wheel has to be completely stripped of rubber hence my initial enquiry. Once all costs and requirements have been finalised I will post them in the Parts Availability segment of this forum.

Bob

[rob love]

If your going to do a lot of wheels over the long term, why not look at some form of a lathe setup where you can cut off the rubber, I think I've seen something similar for cutting off the tread on a tire prior to retreading.

Otherwise, I would suggest a decent amount of heat to break the bond between the metal and the rubber. You could put it in a fire pit, but I'm pretty sure the neighbors aren't going to like that.

[Tony Smith]

Put them in a drum of petrol for a couple of weeks to dissolve the rubber. Resealable drums are available in Steel or plastic. Just keep them away from the Fire-Pit!

[Jeff Gordon]

Sabre saws are great for cutting old tyres off rims.
The older and harder the better.
I use the wood/steel blades.
If you cut off as much rubber as you can first then use Tony's idea in petrol.
Just an idea hope it helps.
Jeff

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all - thanks for your input to date. I'll be seeing a mate who has a large old lathe and see what he says. I've also considered a second hand wheel-balancer. It all depends on whether I just do my own or offer a stripping, wheel that is, service. The gas axe idea was pretty futile as the rubber just melts but stays there. Anyway I have finished one and have attached two images to show those not in the know what is beneath the rubber.

Bob

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all - well the day arrived yesterday when I picked up my wheel mold and the first re-rubbered wheel. I can now go into production, restore the wheels for Project Phoenix and offer the re-rubbering service to those requiring it. At this stage, based on a wheel stripped of rubber, the price is $195 per wheel. I am still working on the most efficient method of stripping the wheels but will probably go with a flame gun coupled to an LPG cylinder. This is the method used by the firm that is doing my wheels so if it works for them it should work for me. If interested PM me to sort out the movement logistics.

Bob

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all - currently doing a run of re-rubbering wheels and came across two different rim styles. The one on the right is new to me. On a different wheel I found a date and serial number brand. Again, new to me.

Bob

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Bob Moseley

Hi all - currently doing a run of re-rubbering wheels and came across two different rim styles. The one on the right is new to me. On a different wheel I found a date and serial number brand. Again, new to me.

Bob

GTR ; General Tire & Rubber Co. ? They had plants in Canada and US at that time.

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Bob Moseley

Hi all - currently doing a run of re-rubbering wheels and came across two different rim styles. The one on the right is new to me. On a different wheel I found a date and serial number brand. Again, new to me.

Bob

Hi Bob.
Could be Grand Trunk Railway..who may have manufactured the wheels in their plants during the war..

[Tony Smith]

But these are Aust made wheels. Why would they have sent them to Canada or US to apply the rubber, then ship them back to fit to LP Carriers? That just runs the gauntlet of Jap Subs twice.

The Aust rubber was done by Goodyear Tyre and Rubber, while the Kiwis used Reid Rubber for their wheels. Aust Goodyear rubber is trapezoid in cross-section, while Reid Rubber has a dimple in the sides, sort of hour-glass shaped.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Onya Tim Tam - another code deciphered.

Bob

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

But these are Aust made wheels.

Thanks Tony,

That will teach me to think first, should have realised.........nice to know a Canadian was caught out as well eh Alex

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Richie - here is all the information including images. The mold cost a bit to make so if you go down this path, get some commitment from others who want the service to defray some of the costs. I am still patiently waiting for orders to come in.

Bob

PS - also look at the posts on "The power of ebonite"

[RichardT10829]

Cheers for that Bob, how did you inject the rubber into the mould ?

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Richie - I leave all of that to the rubber industrialist. They have their techniques. As the process takes a while I have never seen it happen.

Bob

[RichardT10829]

Ahhh right so its a case of supplying said cleaned wheels and a nice mould then bobs ya uncle...or in your case bobs your good self


Rich

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all - time to get this thread to the fore again. Have just done another nine wheels with sixteen to go. RUBBER is the only way to go, and real rubber not soft.

Bob

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi guys - here is my latest run of re-rubbered wheels destined for Corowa 2102. There are a couple of spares for sale and I will take orders for for future jobs.

Salesman Bob