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

[cliff]

Looks good Bob. Just how is Project Phoenix coming along? Do you have measurements/plans etc for the plate that holds the bogie setup yet?

Cheers
Cliff

[ron]

Hi Bob,
Looks good, at least you have your end of the country covered and the price sounds good,thats about $100 a wheel cheaper than up here , the only difference is we just drop them off and pick them up a few days later with nothing to do, I will be interested in seeing how you work out how to removie the old rubber, great looking job congratulations
Regards, Ron

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Cliff & Ron - thanks for your comments.

Cliff, re. Phoenix, Colin has all that in hand. I've been tied up with instrument panel restorations and the continuing landscaping up here so Phoenix has been sitting there gathering dust. But don't worry, there will more movement soon. Have to keep Ada happy.

Ron - I'm in the process of getting a flame torch coupled to an LPG cylinder. This is what the rubber firm uses to strip their stuff so I suppose they know what they are doing. If it works you guys will be the first to know. BTW Ron, do you own your mold as I own mine?

In the mean time everyone else, get your orders in, I need to pay for the mold.

Bob

[Col Tigwell]

Bob I think have hit on the secret of success.

"Keep Ada Happy"

As I have found the hard way, it is cheaper to do that, than a divorce>

If she only knew how much your inventory is appreciating, better still do not let her find out, its a shame to see a grown man cry.

Regards

Col

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all - $300 later, after some hard bargaining through a contact, the LPG flame gun arrived. Ripped the rubber off a test wheel in next to no time. Pays to watch and listen to the professionals. So now all you potential buyers of our re-rubbering service, I can strip your wheels at a small cost, moreso for the gas as this is like a jet after-burner. And to justify the expense we'll be using this to burn the weeds on our fence-lines eliminating the need to spray poison.

Bob

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Bob Moseley

And to justify the expense we'll be using this to burn the weeds on our fence-lines eliminating the need to spray poison.

Bob

Bob,

Please - don't start any bush fires with that thing . I wouldn't risk it during summer.

Now , all you have to do, is dig your own crude oil well in the back yard - therefore there is no need to buy it from mobil/exxon in it's refined state .

Mike

[Lynn Eades]

Bob unaware of Kioto, using a variation of the Wasp, or Ronson flame thower, stomps his carbon footprint onto the artificially green (is it astroturf?) Australian lawn.

[Tony Smith]

As a Pioneer in the field of research into Carbon Geosequestration, Bob has applied for a Federal grant of $31mil to investigate how to bury strips of charred rubber in his backyard.

[Jeff Gordon]

Bob, I thought I recognised you from somewhere!
It has been a while since we have seen you on TV.
I was your biggest fan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLz5KgBTqPY


Jeff

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Mike - good idea.
Lynn - Kioto??
Tony - Ada wants a rubber pathway from the house to the Chicken Hilton.
Jeffrey - you obviously recognized the overalls. See attached image. There is a Leo Wanker in all of us.

Turkies!! Turkies!!Turkies!!Turkies!!

Bob

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all - will shortly be doing a re-rubbering run. I have two spare wheels that I can re-rubber if anyone wants them. $225 per wheel that includes the stripping of the old rubber. I can deliver to Corowa. If anyone else needs some done, contact me ASAP.

I also possess one five spoked wheel and know where there are at least another two, possibly three. I could hunt around and get together a set of eight. Again if interested, contact me ASAP.

Bob

[maple_leaf_eh]

There was a show on CBC Radio about industrial innovation and refocussing that mentioned - rerubbering AFV wheels. It seems a small company in Bathurst, New Brunswick was looking around and responded to a problem stated about Gagetown's M113 wheels wearing out. They made a trial batch, figured out how to contract with the Forces and now they have deals with Canada and Denmark. Afghanistan is good for business. And especially now that one of their major mining customers is closing its mill, so no more wide conveyor belting sales.

So fixing U/C wheels could be the start of a good business.

[NORTH-SHORE(CANADA)]

Hi
I know that compagnie is 40 min form my place i don't remember the name but if any one nee info i could get it

[maple_leaf_eh]

http://www.industrialrubberco.com/news.php?id=2

Google should be renamed Goofle. I typed Bathurst New Brunswick industrial rubber. That is the name of the company too! If these guys can rerubber M113 roadwheels or loading dock forklift solid wheels, they willl understand what it takes to do Carrier roadwheels. But like many of the problems in the hobby, it will take a group buy to make the deal worthwhile. Good luck with that.

[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