Lotus alloy wheel centers

[Pfreen]

I designed and machined on a lathe aluminum alloy wheel centers to go on Lotus alloy wheels.  I thought the oem plastic centers were cheap looking (not price!) and either cracked and fell off or faded in the Florida sun.

I think the new centers look nice and should last a long time.  I did clear coat them so they will not need to be continually polished.

I hope I got the photos small enough for everyone to read them.  I would be happy to email the files if you would like.

Cheers.

[EuropaTC]

Now that's a definite improvement on the Lotus centres, looks neat and professional while keeping a nod back to the original design.  Well done that man !

As soon as all the other TC owners log on and catch that top photo I can foresee a nice little cottage industry in your future...   

Brian

[BDA]

+1

Very nicely done and much nicer than the original centers. You might end up selling several sets!

[Pfreen]

I don’t need a cottage industry, but I have talked to Ray at RD Enterprises about these.  He may want to manufacture them, or with the design, anyone can do it.  i have a manual lathe so it takes some time, but a cnc would make it simple to make.

[HelpMyLotus]

PLEASE MANUFACTURE THESE!

I'd pay a pretty penny for these.  Let me know who to open my wallet to.

[tedtaylor]

WEIGHT!!!   are they heavier than the plastic ones?   we don't want to add weight now, do we?

[EuropatcSPECIAL]

wow fantastic looking mod. The plastic ones are terrible and as you say not cheap. Ive just lost one centre so if anyone does go into production I will have a set  Good job that man

[Sherman Kaplan]

These are beautiful.  Unfortunately I don't know how to use a lathe   How are they held onto the wheel?  What is the purpose of the countersunk screw in the center?

Thanks,
Sherman

[Pfreen]

The wheel center is retained by the retainer, shown in the drawing and the attached photo.  I used countersunk screw lock washers to keep the screw in place.

[HelpMyLotus]

A friend is spinning me up a set of four from plastic with ridges like the originals.  I'll post them when he's done. 

[Sherman Kaplan]

Thanks,  It makes sense now.   I also need to learn how to read plans better.

Sherman

[Pfreen]

I sent the drawings for this to Ray at RD enterprises.  He will manufacture them for $100 per set in plain aluminum or for $130 for anodized centers.  He sent out an email to his customers in February and did not get enough response to go ahead with the project.  He just sent out another email and is shown below.

“Europa Wheel Centers
In the last newsletter we asked for feedback about alloy wheel centers to replace the plastic centers originally used on Brand Lotus Alloy Wheels. So far we do not have a sufficient response to go ahead with this project, but we will continue to gather names until the end of April before we make the decision to go ahead with this project (or not).
Please contact us with any questions.”

So, if you want them, let him know.  Considering the plastic ones are $90 for a set, this seems like a deal to me.  Rdent@rdent.com.

Fyi, nothing in it for me.  I just think the plastic ones are too cheap looking.