[StygianMax]

I have a few McLaren F1 GTRs whose rotors (aka brake discs) have black dots to simulate the cross-drilled holes. I think it looks pretty cheesy. Has anyone actually done their own cross-drilling and de-burring the holes to make the rotors more realistic?

:feedback

 

[Ronan]

No, but I agree the black dots look crappy! Wouldn't it be superb if AUTOart sold aftermarket wheel and brake kits that could be retrofitted to older models such as the UT McLarens and Porsche 911 GT1s. Now that would be cool!!!

Your idea about drilling the existing discs is a good one I think, but you would need a very fine drill, and I'd say it could be easy to break the discs if too much pressure was applied.

 

[Guest]

I'm just curious what the average size of the "holes" are in cross drilled rotors, since I've never really measured them. The smallest bit I have is a 1/32", which would translate into a 9/16" hole on a 1:1 rotor.

I agree that actually holes would look great!

 

[Venom]

To drill small holes in plastic I just sharpen a peice of hard wire to make holles smaller than any normal drill bit coule make. :danbanna

 

[Guest]

To drill small holes in plastic I just sharpen a peice of hard wire to make holles smaller than any normal drill bit coule make. :danbanna

I used to heat a sewing needle when I built plastic kits, but haven't done that in quite some time.

 

[StygianMax]

I'm just curious what the average size of the "holes" are in cross drilled rotors, since I've never really measured them. The smallest bit I have is a 1/32", which would translate into a 9/16" hole on a 1:1 rotor.

I agree that actually holes would look great!

You bring up a good point TF1. 9/16" dia. holes is definitely too big on a real rotor. It would crack pretty quickly from the reduced amount of metal to act as a heat sink. It's been a while since I've seen a x-drilled rotor up close but I'm guessing the diameter to be closer to 1/8" to 3/16" (3-4 mm) on a 12"-13" dia. rotor as a very rough guess.

 

[Guest]

Sounds like an interesting project to start on. :cheers

 

[LUW]

Use a pin without the head as a drill bit on a Dremel or (better) bench press. The bench press is better because it has less rpm, and that prevents the heating of the "drill" and melting of the plastic of the rotor.

 

[Phil]

I'm too lazy to walk out to my car and check, but I've attached a photo of my brakes. They are 355 mm Brembo discs. Based on that you get an idea of how small the cross drilled holes are. Using Photoshop to measure, I figure the holes are roughly 1/4 inch in diameter.

 

[yomama]

Why don't you go buy a small drill bit? Drill bits come in diameters as small as a strain of hair. I'm sure you can find one that will drill your rotors.

 

[StygianMax]

I'm too lazy to walk out to my car and check, but I've attached a photo of my brakes. They are 355 mm Brembo discs. Based on that you get an idea of how small the cross drilled holes are. Using Photoshop to measure, I figure the holes are roughly 1/4 inch in diameter.

Welcome to the forum Phil!!! Great to see you here.

Thanks for posting that awesome picture of your Brembo big brake kit! (Is that a 4-pot caliper with Cadmium plated rotor?) And if you don't mind me asking, what kind of car do you have?

 

[Phil]

I have the Brembo F50 setup, which is 4-pot calipers with Cadmium plated rotors. You have a good eye and good knowledge of brakes. I actually have these on an Audi S4

 

[Guest]

I did this on my Hot Wheels Ferrari 550M. I used the finest watchmakers screwdriver in my set, but I'd be extra carefull with a UT Macca. In my search for better brakes I found that Bburago models(atleast my 360M), surprisingly, have quite nice brakes, especially the back side(the side facing the inside of the car), where the holes are extremely fine. I also discovered that my HWs rear calipers come off quite easily, so they can be fitted to other cars with a little work.
I agree with Ronan that AUTOart should sell brakes/wheels, etc... as aftermarket parts.

 

[prowler]

this is one of the front wheel assys from my enzo i'm doing.....cross drilled rotors from a pinvise and a .020 drill.it also has(hard to see) brembo badging on the calipers....wish it was a better pic.sorry guys....

 

[StygianMax]

That's really nice work prowler!! :nicejob :nicejob :nicejob Did you first create a "template" to mark out where you have to drill through the rotors?

 

[prowler]

no...i used the dimples that were in the rotor...i have done this to all my models that i have detailed.i think it is totally unforgivable to have crap detail or missing features on cars(the engine bay struts on the enzo...for one)

just wait until my enzo is done....should be another week or so....depending on when i get my new bike that is.....lol

 

[Guest]

Nice work prowler. I admire you taking matters into your own hands to improve the detail. :nicejob

 

[Ronan]

I did this on my Hot Wheels Ferrari 550M. I used the finest watchmakers screwdriver in my set, but I'd be extra carefull with a UT Macca. In my search for better brakes I found that Bburago models(atleast my 360M), surprisingly, have quite nice brakes, especially the back side(the side facing the inside of the car), where the holes are extremely fine. I also discovered that my HWs rear calipers come off quite easily, so they can be fitted to other cars with a little work.
I agree with Ronan that AUTOart should sell brakes/wheels, etc... as aftermarket parts.

Absolutely, aftermarket AUTOart wheels and brakes would make such a difference to so many models.