Fitting Herb Deeks Wheels onto a SMER/Merit Tire

[1961redlegs]

I'm about to start on the SMER Talbot Lago it and I need some advice on placing a set of Herb Deeks Borrani wheels onto the kit tires. How have you guys gone about it? Did you cut off the brakes from the inside of the tire? What do you guys suggest?

Thank you in advance for your help!

[clm1545]

When you figure it out, Jerry, I'm sure lots of us would like to know how.

[pje]

I think Michael Is the only one I know to use the Deeks photo etch. I'm working right now on mating the Alfa brakes to the Pinto wheels/tires.

Paul Erlendson

[indycals]

They're not easy. The diameter should have been bigger to account for the bending that reduces the diameter. On the Talbot Lago I only used one piece per wheel.

[Deleted]

Those Deeks wheels drove me nuts. There needs to be a forming tool for assembling them. I went looking for alternatives. I've looked at Hasegawa Testa Rossa wheels, Replicas and Miniatures street rod wheels and FP pre-built wheels. The Hasegawa wheels are too small in diameter, the R&M street rod rears are good but the fronts are small. The FP pre-builts are the nicest but expensive.
My set of FPinto wheels is going on my nearly complete Alfa but I have two more Talbots I want to do and I'm still not sure what wheels will be on them.

[indydog]

I don't understand why you guys are having trouble with the Deeks wheels. I used them on my Alfa and found them very easy to use. Now, mine had turned aluminum centers, maybe that made them easier to use.

[1961redlegs]

Those are some nice wheels!

I took Michael's advice and here's what I came up with, what do you think so far?

[clm1545]

I really think they need that second layer, Jerry. Sorry

[1961redlegs]

No need to apologize and I think you're right. Since I invested in Michael's kit, I think I'll invest in a set of Fernando Pinto wheels and tires when some come available. The only 1/24 set of his out there at the present are for sports cars and I don't believe they'll work.

That's part of the game. I'll put this kit aside and try something different!

[mrindy77]

Jan 22, 2017 18:19:35 GMT -5 1961redlegs said:

No need to apologize and I think you're right. Since I invested in Michael's kit, I think I'll invest in a set of Fernando Pinto wheels and tires when some come available. The only 1/24 set of his out there at the present are for sports cars and I don't believe they'll work.

That's part of the game. I'll put this kit aside and try something different!

Just send him a PM via his Facebook page. I asked for some the Ferrari 275 wheels and even though they weren't listed he still had then available.

[1961redlegs]

Thank you for the tip! I'll be doing that shortly!

[1961redlegs]

I took mrindy77's advice and ordered a set of wheels and tires from Fernando Pinto. The Talbot is back on!

[mrindy77]

I have built 136 Herb Deeks wheels for the Maserati Birdcages I did. I created a little tool from a wooden clothespin to hold everything together, then when all has been adjusted and in place I run ring of thin CA glue around the seam and hit it with some accelerator. It also works well with MA models wire wheels.
You made an excellent choice with Pinto's wheels, Deeks are nice but the are 'flat' spokes. I'd pop for a set on a one off project but 34 sets of them would be little much.

[Deleted]

Apr 21, 2017 11:46:24 GMT -5 mrindy77 said:

I have built 136 Herb Deeks wheels for the Maserati Birdcages I did. I created a little tool from a wooden clothespin to hold everything together, then when all has been adjusted and in place I run ring of thin CA glue around the seam and hit it with some accelerator. It also works well with MA models wire wheels.
You made an excellent choice with Pinto's wheels, Deeks are nice but the are 'flat' spokes. I'd pop for a set on a one off project but 34 sets of them would be little much.

I would love to see a picture of your process. I had thought that a tool to form them into a cone shape and hold them concentric with each other would really help.