I make a lot of toy trains, and each set requires at least 10 pairs of wheels – or more. A circle cutter on the drill press makes efficient work of cutting the wheels to shape, but drilling the cutter all the way through the wheel stock usually means each wheel gets stuck inside and has to be pried out. It’s a chore.
I finally figured out a better way to cut the wheels loose. I drill almost all the way through the wheel stock, then run the strip against the fence of my table saw or band saw, “resaw” style. The wheels fall free, just like cutting wood plugs loose. With a little sanding, the wheels are ready for finishing.
– Arthur Mitchell
Blue Grass, Virginia
