Resources Element Helix parallax wheel......DIY??

woogie_man · Nov 26, 2024

I am on the search again to find parts for a scope, but while looking around I got to thinking about DIY options.

I see there are quite a few different options for aluminum and 3D printed wheels, but at anywhere from $100+ that seems steep. So it got me to thinking about DIY options..... So I come to you guys to see what you have came up with? Doesn't have to be for the Helix optic, but that is what I have so thats what I am looking at.

cavedweller · Nov 26, 2024

woogie_man said:
I am on the search again to find parts for a scope, but while looking around I got to thinking about DIY options.

I see there are quite a few different options for aluminum and 3D printed wheels, but at anywhere from $100+ that seems steep. So it got me to thinking about DIY options..... So I come to you guys to see what you have came up with? Doesn't have to be for the Helix optic, but that is what I have so thats what I am looking at.

I may have one that will work
Send me the measurement of your parallax knob

Impact701 · Nov 27, 2024

It's not DIY, and it's not 100 bucks I found this while looking for Black Friday deals.

Black Arts Parallax Adjustment Wheel 72mm OD (Element Optics) | Pyramyd AIR

We've got a great price on Black Arts Parallax Adjustment Wheel 72mm OD (Element Optics) at Pyramyd AIR. Shop where the experts do!

www.pyramydair.com

woogie_man · Nov 27, 2024

That's not bad. Hell I should really look into getting a 3D printer. I know my kids would love it, but I can see me printing a ton of stupid crap

Bramezy · Nov 27, 2024

Parallax Wheel for an Airgun Scope Element Helix by Bill Ruehl | Download free STL model | Printables.com

The wheel can be generic and you'll only need to make the scope turret adapter. Unless its an Element Helix, that's done | Download free 3D printable STL models

www.printables.com

free file, someone in here im sure would print and ship it to you for minimal money depending on the matieral used but its still super minimal.

tnt68 · Nov 27, 2024

Element Optics Helix parallax wheel by puna102

Consists of two components. The adapter for Helix scope and the wheel itself. Designed it this way, so I could use same wheel for other scopes. It uses a grub screw to tighten it to the parallax adjustment. The grub screw pushes against the adapter ring not the scopes parallax knob.

www.thingiverse.com

That's the one I've printed in PLA+

woogie_man · Nov 27, 2024

That was another question I was meaning to ask...... does the size of the wheel matter?

If I am thinking correctly...... the larger the wheel the further apart, and more accurate, you can have your range markings.

Franklink · Nov 27, 2024

woogie_man said:
If I am thinking correctly...... the larger the wheel the further apart, and more accurate, you can have your range markings.

Yes. Spot on.

Couple friends that are part of the Southwest Airgunners FT club have used those leapers somewhat universal wheels as the basis for bigger wheels. They're similar to the element wheel that was linked before. But those guys use flat aluminum strip to bend into a circle or comma shape, using spokes for strength, and JBweld and/or rivets to hold it all together. End result is a large effective diameter, and distance marks on the wheel that are farther spaced for more accurate ranging.

The homebrew wheels those guys make are similar to what can be purchased from Eric Sanders @ Scopewerks.com or Joe Garland @ jdscustomdesign.com

I've got no affiliation with either of those guys but have bought from both and they're good people with good products.

Here's one of the home brews, they end up working well. This is Rex, ringleader of the Southwest Airgunners. I shared this in the USFT discussion recently but the focus was the gun, not the wheel...

I believe that one is held on with a split ring around the parallax knob, with a bolt and nut squeezing the split ring to hold it in place.

woogie_man · Nov 28, 2024

I like that one. And anything I could make would be great.

Do you have any close ups of the wheel?

Franklink · Nov 28, 2024

All kinds of ideas....I used split rings I made from PVC pipe to make a wheel fit a different scope than it was designed to fit, essentially shims...

And the rest of these are various ways Rex made large diam wheels....rattle can makes em look quite nice....
Some he started with PVC pipe, others he started with cheap/universal 3d printed wheels and modified them (the white one on his RAW). This was the basis for the big white one....

Custom Sizes Parallax 6" Inch Scope Wheel 3D Printed PCP AIRGUN Target FX | eBay

Updated version - includes ss nuts/bolts to be able to apply even pressure on scope parallax wheel from both sides. These are custom 3D printed in house!

www.ebay.com

Franklink · Nov 28, 2024

Here's one I did for an MTC scope. It came with a tiny little wheel and I bolted a plastic lid to it to get a bigger diam! Whatever works.

cavedweller · Nov 28, 2024

woogie_man said:
That was another question I was meaning to ask...... does the size of the wheel matter?

If I am thinking correctly...... the larger the wheel the further apart, and more accurate, you can have your range markings

Franklink said:
Here's one I did for an MTC scope. It came with a tiny little wheel and I bolted a plastic lid to it to get a bigger diam! Whatever works.
View attachment 516240 View attachment 516239 View attachment 516238

Necessity is the mother of invention

woogie_man · Nov 28, 2024

cavedweller said:
Necessity is the mother of invention

AGREE!

Being able to make things is a little easier I think, and more fun

PowderBurnt · Nov 29, 2024

Just order from JD. It's magnetic so you can remove it, and his Tennessee accent is fun to translate.

Uglyjohn · Nov 29, 2024

PowderBurnt said:
Just order from JD. It's magnetic so you can remove it, and his Tennessee accent is fun to translate.

I just looked at his website and it says not accepting new orders until January due to hurricane related damage?

Bramezy · Dec 2, 2024

Uglyjohn said:
I just looked at his website and it says not accepting new orders until January due to hurricane related damage?

Yeah heard he got hit pretty hard.

Marco K1 · Apr 9, 2025

What I personally don't like at all is using clamps as a mounting option. The Helix element offers a perfect alternative mounting option without clamps – the screw caps on the towers. I'll show you what I mean with a few pictures.

3D printing is super inexpensive, and you can let your creativity run wild.

If you'd like to print one, check out my user BenderGer on Cults 3D.
For free, of course.

Element Helix Parallaxe Rad v5 front.JPG

mmcaleer · Apr 12, 2025

Marco K1 said:
What I personally don't like at all is using clamps as a mounting option. The Helix element offers a perfect alternative mounting option without clamps – the screw caps on the towers. I'll show you what I mean with a few pictures.

3D printing is super inexpensive, and you can let your creativity run wild.

If you'd like to print one, check out my user BenderGer on Cults 3D.
For free, of course.

View attachment 554143

Works great!

Marco K1 · Tuesday at 2:39 PM

I'm very happy that you like the wheel.

I've just finished the new version v8 and made it available for free again at Cults 3D.
This time, the wheel is slightly larger at 150 mm and also wider at 15 mm for more marking space. The wheel now consists of two parts. A connector with three neodymium magnets and the wheel, also with three neodymium magnets. The magnets measure 10 mm x 2 mm. Both fit together in only one position and can therefore be easily removed and reassembled for transport.
Since a friend has the same profile as the turrets on his Element Helix Parallax tower, I designed two versions of the connector. One (A) for the "old" star shape and one (B) for the "new" shape, which can also be found on the turrets.

Have fun printing.